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.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The price is a problem, then.
Windows is “not free” so even if prices were the same, customers would see value in getting something that costs money as the Windows license could come in handy, even if they were planning to install Linux.
Few will buy the Linux version and it’ll be discontinued citing lack of customer interest.
Windows is “not free” so even if prices were the same, customers would see value in getting something that costs money as the Windows license could come in handy, even if they were planning to install Linux.
Few will buy the Linux version and it’ll be discontinued citing lack of customer interest.
10 Likes, Who?
So 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.
4 Likes, Who?
So 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.
0 Likes
PublicNuisance Jan 21, 2022
It's nice to see more devices ship with Linux support but i'll pass on this one. If I was going to buy a Mini system it would be the Librem Mini which has CoreBoot support and will work wth FLOSS distros such as Trisquel or Pure OS.
4 Likes, Who?
The price is a problem, then.
Windows is “not free” so even if prices were the same, customers would see value in getting something that costs money as the Windows license could come in handy, even if they were planning to install Linux.
Few will buy the Linux version and it’ll be discontinued citing lack of customer interest.
Personally I would rather not pay for Windows at all, if the price is fair (even equal, I would rather not chose Windows). But this pricing is indeed weird, the sales price seems to be the correct price. So either they are bullshitting with the sale just to push people to go and buy it now, or there is something rotten about it.
3 Likes, Who?
So 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.
Well then it would make sense to give Manjaro the cut that would otherwise go to Microsoft for the W10 licence.
Maybe, as said above, the "normal" price is just marketing BS.
1 Likes, Who?
So 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.
If I were in the market for one I'd just save the money and spend the 5 minutes installing a distro myself.
3 Likes, Who?
I cannot find anything exciting in this mini-PC, but it does make Steam Deck to look like a really good deal.
The issue with most mini-PC's are that they are always using old and weak hardware and still end up costing more than a laptop with very similar or even better specs.
I think the general issue with mini-PCs is that they are very cheap in used market as they are commonly used in offices and nobody seems to be interested to buy used. Heck, I got one over 3 years ago for 230€ and it still performs almost as well as R7 3750H aside of iGPU, which is weak in comparison. And it has no issues running Linux either.
Maybe someone should make a mini-PC with the specs and price similar to Steam Deck..?
The issue with most mini-PC's are that they are always using old and weak hardware and still end up costing more than a laptop with very similar or even better specs.
I think the general issue with mini-PCs is that they are very cheap in used market as they are commonly used in offices and nobody seems to be interested to buy used. Heck, I got one over 3 years ago for 230€ and it still performs almost as well as R7 3750H aside of iGPU, which is weak in comparison. And it has no issues running Linux either.
Maybe someone should make a mini-PC with the specs and price similar to Steam Deck..?
0 Likes
wow, valve made an partnership with an thirdyparty to sell steamdeck sdk's?
not really, but close enough
not really, but close enough
0 Likes
So 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.
"Rebranding"?
Or
"Valve"?
That would be my guess.
0 Likes
pleasereadthemanual Jan 22, 2022
So 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.
0 Likes
So 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"
1 Likes, Who?
pleasereadthemanual Jan 22, 2022
Fair point about only the first 1,000 orders; I doubt the price will go down after that.So 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.
0 Likes
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.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.
4 Likes, Who?
pleasereadthemanual Jan 22, 2022
Ah, i know that one.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.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/
2 Likes, Who?
Chronarius Jan 22, 2022
So 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.
0 Likes
I wish I could buy a motherboard like this with an onboard AMD cpu in a standard layout. Would make a great low power server board for around the house.
1 Likes, Who?
I've been in the market for a box like this for a couple of weeks actually.
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
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
0 Likes
Yup that's it, they confirmed via email it's now for promotions only which kinda makes sense.Ah, i know that one.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.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/
2 Likes, Who?
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