The Manjaro Linux folks have teamed up with Minisforum to bring a very small but quite mighty system with the DeskMini UM700 × Manjaro Linux. Exciting? Well, it's basically rebrand of the existing EliteMini UM700 only it has Manjaro Linux instead of Windows 10 - and the first 1,000 orders get a free copy of CrossOver Linux.
Interestingly enough, this is pretty much the same box that Valve showed a pictured of them using in their developer documentation when talking about sorting a system for developing for Steam Deck without a Dev-Kit.
For a currently discounted price of $499, which they show will be $599 after, you get this:
Processor | AMD Ryzen™ 7 3750H , 4 Cores/8 Threads (Total L2 Cache 2MB , Total L3 Cache 4MB , Base Clock 2.3 GHz , up to 4.0 GHz) |
GPU | Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics (Graphics Frequency 1400 MHz) |
Memory | 2×DDR4 2400MHz 8 Dual channel (SODIMM Slots×2) Supports a maximum of 64GB(32GB x 2) of DDR4 |
Storage |
M.2 2280 256GB/512GB PCle SSD Up to 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD |
Storage Expansion |
1×2.5 inch SATA HDD Slot (SATA 3.0 6.0Gb/s), maximum thickness 7mm |
Wireless | M.2 2230 WIFI Support (Intel® BlueTooth pre-install) |
Video Output |
HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz) DisplayPort (4K@60Hz) USB-C Port (4K@60Hz) |
Audio Output | HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, 3.5mm Audio Jack |
OS | Manjaro OS Plasma Gamer Edition |
Ports |
1 * RJ45 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Port 1 * USB3.0 Port×1(Gen1 , 2.0A Max output , shutdown charging , Yellow) 3 * SB3.1 Port(Gen2 , Blue) 1 * USB-C Port(Gen2) 1 * HDMI 2.0 1 * Display Port 1 * Audio Jack 1 * Clear CMOS |
What's the price like though? Well, for the base model that gives 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD you're looking at a special launch price of $499. It shows the normal price would be $599, which is actually more expensive than the Windows version that comes with 16GB RAM ($569).
The version of CrossOver included is the "Linux One" package. Giving you a full license to the current version of Crossover Linux with no upgrades or help desk support. It's no longer sold by CrossOver directly, only for promotions now like this.
Does sound like a nice little machine overall. However, something else that's also strange is their branding. DeskMini is actually an ASRock thing, so Minisforum are being pretty cheeky here.
You can see it on the official site.
Quoting: pbSo what's so special about this box that it costs $60-70 more than the one with preinstalled Windows? I appreciate that they're trying, but I fail to see the point.It comes with a copy of CrossOver Linux, valued at $59USD per year. I don't know whether it's a lifetime copy, annual, or some variant of their CrossOver One product.
Worth it? Maybe, especially if it's a lifetime copy, which generally goes for about $499.95USD.
Quoting: pleasereadthemanualQuoting: pbSo what's so special about this box that it costs $60-70 more than the one with preinstalled Windows? I appreciate that they're trying, but I fail to see the point.It comes with a copy of CrossOver Linux, valued at $59USD per year. I don't know whether it's a lifetime copy, annual, or some variant of their CrossOver One product.
Worth it? Maybe, especially if it's a lifetime copy, which generally goes for about $499.95USD.
"the first 1,000 orders get a free copy of CrossOver Linux"
Quoting: pbFair point about only the first 1,000 orders; I doubt the price will go down after that.Quoting: pleasereadthemanualQuoting: pbSo what's so special about this box that it costs $60-70 more than the one with preinstalled Windows? I appreciate that they're trying, but I fail to see the point.It comes with a copy of CrossOver Linux, valued at $59USD per year. I don't know whether it's a lifetime copy, annual, or some variant of their CrossOver One product.
Worth it? Maybe, especially if it's a lifetime copy, which generally goes for about $499.95USD.
"the first 1,000 orders get a free copy of CrossOver Linux"
As for a "free copy", what does this mean? There is no free version of CrossOver Linux. There's a 14-day free trial. There's a yearly subscription. There's a lifetime subscription. And there's the CrossOver One one-time purchase (which doesn't exist right now). So based on what version it is, that will determine the value of it. Given that they don't say "1 free year", I suppose it's meant to be lifetime or a particular version (CrossOver 21) forever.
Quoting: pleasereadthemanualAs for a "free copy", what does this mean? There is no free version of CrossOver Linux. There's a 14-day free trial. There's a yearly subscription. There's a lifetime subscription. And there's the CrossOver One one-time purchase (which doesn't exist right now). So based on what version it is, that will determine the value of it. Given that they don't say "1 free year", I suppose it's meant to be lifetime or a particular version (CrossOver 21) forever.They say it's Crossover Linux One, which is not listed officially by CodeWeavers. We've asked for clarification. Will update if / when we get a reply.
Quoting: Liam DaweAh, i know that one.Quoting: pleasereadthemanualAs for a "free copy", what does this mean? There is no free version of CrossOver Linux. There's a 14-day free trial. There's a yearly subscription. There's a lifetime subscription. And there's the CrossOver One one-time purchase (which doesn't exist right now). So based on what version it is, that will determine the value of it. Given that they don't say "1 free year", I suppose it's meant to be lifetime or a particular version (CrossOver 21) forever.They say it's Crossover Linux One, which is not listed officially by CodeWeavers. We've asked for clarification. Will update if / when we get a reply.
CrossOver One is not officially listed by Codeweavers as of ~August last year. It was a version of CrossOver that received no support and only contained that year's version of CrossOver. There were no software upgrades. It was $39.95USD.
You can see the store page as it originally appeared a year ago with the CrossOver One option here: https://web.archive.org/web/20210102011151/https://www.codeweavers.com/store/
Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: pbSo what's so special about this box that it costs $60-70 more than the one with preinstalled Windows? I appreciate that they're trying, but I fail to see the point.The difference is that I assume Manjaro get a cut, which is probably part of the inflated pricing.
Nevertheless this will fail! IMHO they should sell there hardware also without OS but add a label "Linux supported"
Fun Fact: My Steammachine from Zotac was 100 bucks cheaper then the identical build without Steam-Case but with Windows on it.
BTW: I have an HM80 from Miniforums which is shutting down the rear USB-Ports after a while.
Not sure if that is fixed! Doesn't happen with Windows.
But it doesn't need this much power (imo) as it will just effectively become a kodi box for my TV, since my TV is still dumb (2006 Sony Bravia) and I don't have a working aerial/satalite connection to my home.
So a little box like this would be perfect but.. quite steep in price imo. I wish they had a lower spec linux one that was cheaper and more suitable for my needs 😅
Last edited by BlackBloodRum on 23 January 2022 at 7:52 am UTC
Quoting: pleasereadthemanualYup that's it, they confirmed via email it's now for promotions only which kinda makes sense.Quoting: Liam DaweAh, i know that one.Quoting: pleasereadthemanualAs for a "free copy", what does this mean? There is no free version of CrossOver Linux. There's a 14-day free trial. There's a yearly subscription. There's a lifetime subscription. And there's the CrossOver One one-time purchase (which doesn't exist right now). So based on what version it is, that will determine the value of it. Given that they don't say "1 free year", I suppose it's meant to be lifetime or a particular version (CrossOver 21) forever.They say it's Crossover Linux One, which is not listed officially by CodeWeavers. We've asked for clarification. Will update if / when we get a reply.
CrossOver One is not officially listed by Codeweavers as of ~August last year. It was a version of CrossOver that received no support and only contained that year's version of CrossOver. There were no software upgrades. It was $39.95USD.
You can see the store page as it originally appeared a year ago with the CrossOver One option here: https://web.archive.org/web/20210102011151/https://www.codeweavers.com/store/
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