There are a growing number of tiny desktop computers measuring about 2.4″ x 2.4″ x 1.6″. Most seem to be based on the same reference design as the Chuwi LarkBox, which was the first to launch, although there are some differences in processor and storage options.

But the Pantera Pico PC from XDO is the first I’ve seen that breaks the mold in a few ways.

It’s still a mini PC that measures just 2.4 inches across. But it has twice as many USB Type-A ports as the competition, thanks to ports on both the front and back of the computer. The Pantera Pico PC goes up for pre-order December 8th through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, and there’s also a stretch goal for an “Entertainment Dock” which could expand the little computer’s functionality.

Under the hood, the little computer is powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor and it supports up to 8GB of LPDDR4 memory, up to 512GB of eMMC storage, and features an M.2 2242 slot for an optional SSD.

Ports include:

  • 3 x USB 3.0 Type-A
  • 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
  • 1 x USB Type-C (probably for power only)
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0
  • 1 x 3.5mm audio
  • 1 x microSD card reader

The computer supports dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 and features a fan for active cooling. XDO says the Pantera Pico PC supports Windows 10, Ubuntu and “Linux.”

There’s no information about what the XDO Xentaur Entertainment Dock would do, but a promotional video shows the mini PC sliding into the dock, suggesting that it might connect to one or more of the ports on the back of the little computer and act as a USB hub/docking station with additional ports.

The company has also released a few additional videos showing off different color options for the computer’s aluminum case.

XDO is promising to offer a discount of up to 40-percent off the retail price to a limited number of Super Early Bird backers of the upcoming crowdfunding campaign. NotebookCheck reports that backers at that level will be able to reserve the little computer for $129, suggesting a full retail price closer to $215.

 

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4 replies on “Pantera Pico PC is a 2.4 inch PC with more ports than most (crowdfunding)”

  1. Just a tiny stretch and those will:
    fit BOTH 2242 and 2260 m.2 SSD
    match vesa 75mm/2.9inch
    Aluminum case + vent holes + heat pipes/pads = …

    1. But 2242 and 2260 are as outdated as hard drives. 2280 rules the M.2 world these days.

  2. “The first company to make a device like this with a VESA mount, under $200 and supports an M.2 2280 NVMe drive will get a purchase from me.”
    I think there are quite a few like us:
    Why this strange enclosure? For years these little PCs were flat und roughly 10 cm wide. Even the old 2,5” form factor does fit these. And with two screws you can easily attach them to standard VESA plates behind TVs or monitors.

  3. I like that this form factor is getting more attention, but the lack of competitiveness in features is boring.

    The dock really makes zero sense. It’s not like its a battery powered device with a screen that can picked up and used in a portable way. Seems like they just intended it to be an expansion of ports, which is kinda lame.

    They should have focused their “stretch” goal on manufacturing an alternate case for it to give the device more space for the ports on the case itself, and then they would have the space to support an M.2 2280 drive instead of the (practically useless) 2242 slot.

    The first company to make a device like this with a VESA mount, under $200 and supports an M.2 2280 NVMe drive will get a purchase from me. I have enough cheap-o computers that are stuck on eMMC storage with no proper expansion options.

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