Azulle Quantum Access Mini PC Stick

[Scottmichaelj]

So theres been a ton of talk about the RaspberryPI here and integration with the ISY. It seems people want a cheap and low powered device to run whatever on, like NodeLink, BWS Systems Hue Emulator, etc. However some of us don't want to or have time for the learning curve for the RaspPI. I have a need for a Windows PC that can be run 24/7 that I can VPN into and run a few programs for my AV installations. So I recently purchased this Azulle Quantum Access Mini PC Stick from Amazon for $90 to test. Its only about $20 more than a RaspPi when you consider the Pi, a power supply, memory card, case, etc. I know some of you will argue the fact this is running Windows and most have the parts to the Pi, but thats not the point I am trying to make.

My goal here is to find a low powered device that can run 24/7 stable for things like Nodelink, the Hue Emulator, and maybe a few other programs on.

Heres the link to the PC stick on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4O6GRK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Specs:

-Access Windows 10 everywhere you go. The Quantum Access is equipped with the latest full version of Windows 10.

-The Quantum Access is driven by the all-new Intel Atom (Quad-core) 1.33 GHZ Z3735F processor. To ensure optimal performance, the Quantum Access offers 2GB of DDR3L RAM and a snappy 32GB of onboard memory. This powerful combination of hardware is perfect for heavy word processing, high definition video streaming, and gaming.

-This mini PC is perfect for streaming media as it is fueled by a top-of-the-line Intel HD Graphics (Gen 7). With a built in HDMI output, you can simply plug the Quantum Access into any HDMI port and instantly "access" your PC.

-Truly take the Quantum Access wherever you desire. Measuring 4.33 X 1.02 X 0.45 inches, the Quantum Access is the perfect size for any office, entertainment center, or bedroom.

-Enjoy a device that excels in versatility as this PC stick provides you with a full USB 2.0 port, micro USB port, and micro SD card slot.

I got it in the mail today so I am planning on putting it through some tests. If anyone has questions or wants me to try something let me know. Here are some photos of me unboxing it. First time boot up was simple with no issues. The PC stick is running Windows 10 32Bit with an Intel Atom Z3735F CPU @ 1.33GHz with 2GB of RAM. A Micro SD Card can be added up to 128GB. Total HD/flash space is 28.7GB of which 21.1GB are free to use after Win10 is installed.

Somethings I have tried:

-Does it need to be plugged into a HDMI monitor to work after being setup (Update: After setup you can remove it from a HDMI port and the device will still boot and be usable. This is GREAT news for me, as it can be used as a headless PC.)

-How well does it run programs like the HUE emulator and NodeLink (Update: Installed NodeLink and BWS Systems Emulator and both are working fine so far. There is no noticeable lag from Alexia to the Emulator to issue commands.)

-Total power draw (Update: 5 Watts and when idle is 1-2Watts per my Killo-Watt)

-Overall speed (Update: This thing is not fast but its not slow. Will keep testing.)

-Stability (Update: So far so good, the device has not had any random crashes or stability issues and has been up for three days without any crashes or reboots.)

-How well is WiFi only? (Update: WiFi was flakey at first so I contacted Azulle and they had me update the WiFi driver and I haven't had an issue since. I will keep testing this for stability.)

 

-Can I plug in a USB ethernet to it for a hardwired connection (Update: Yes you can. I have a Belkin three port non-powered USB 2.0 hub that I was able to have connected to the PC stick then have a USB wireless keyboard/mouse combo and a USB ethernet adapter plugged into it and everything was working. I would think for devices that require more power you would need a powered USB hub. But I am able to configure the USB ethernet, unplug the USB hub and plug back in the USB ethernet adapter to have wired network connection to it.)

-How well does Kodi run and stream 1080p content (Update: Kodi runs well and I don't see any issues so far. That being said I am only running at 1080p in Stereo. I have not tested DTS, Dolby, PCM, etc. I don't really need any of this though.)

-Reboot to Windows after powerless (Update: This can be done but you must update the BIOS first. It is after updating the power on reboot is there and automatically turned on. This means now if the device power is lost it will reboot when power is restored. This is GREAT NEWS for me! BIOS Update can be found here: http://azulletech.com/topic/updating-access-bios-firmware/)

-Remote Desktop Use (Update: I was able to install TightVNC and now can remote desktop into the PC stick via WiFi.)

-Install Android Marshmallow (Update: Because this is a Intel CPU you can not install Android on it.)

-Simple web server   (Update: Works even with Kodi, FTP Server, NodeLink and Hue Emulator running in the background)  

-Simple FTP server from a network or USB drive (Update: Works even with Kodi, Web Server, NodeLink and Hue Emulator running in the background)

-Install DDNS service program (Update: Installed DynDNS free service on the device and my IP changed twice after forcing the modem to reboot. Both times the service notified me of the change. I know others have wanted this feature for other reasons and this seems to work well for DDNS services.)

-Install Ubuntu 14.04 (Update: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy - Instructions are on the Azulle Website/Forums)

-How easy to reinstall Windows 10 back to factory after installing another OS (Update: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy - Instructions are on the Azulle Website/Forums here http://azulletech.com/topic/quantum-factory-restore/)

 

-Install ElkRP software (Update: ElkRP loaded to the device perfectly fine, connects to the panel and can update.)

 

-Install RTI remote control programming software (Update: Loaded up my RTI programming software and was able to push all new changes to my remotes over WiFi without a problem.)

 

Conclusion so far:

Well not sure what I was expecting but this is a PC on a stick. Teken said he doesn't like the form factor, however for my needs its perfect. I can put velcro on it and stick it anywhere I want or need to. Behind a TV, no problem. In a AV rack, no problem. Squeezed between AV hardware, no problem. Everything I have tossed on it works perfectly. The wireless speeds are good but of course you never get 100% one for one speeds as if you had a wired connection. If you want to spend more you can get the more expensive LAN version, the hardware is the same or if you have a USB ethernet adapter you can use that with a USB hub. Power consumption is crazy low, 5Watts!? At idle its 1Watt. Depending on what you plug into the USB you may need a powered USB hub.

So far I'm impressed. For the price vs performance in what it can do is impressive IMHO. Stability has not been an issue. Also worth noting this device is running the full version of Windows 10 32-Bit OS, not embedded. I made some changes like boot directly into the desktop, never turn it off for power saving (sleep mode) and never use a screensaver (or turn off the display). I have been using it as a headless device and its a great machine. This would make a great little device to serve up files from a powered USB hard drive. I hooked it up to my TV for a while to use with Kodi and Youtube Hipporemote control app on my iPhone. I also contacted the Azulle support email and online chat twice and both times I got a response quickly and accurately answering my questions.

[Scottmichaelj]

 

 

 

 

[Teken]

Hey Scott,

 

Really happy to see you took me up on the offer to submit a review on this new piece of hardware. I'll be keeping an eye on your follow ups for this product review.

[mwester]

But... but... but WHY?   Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?

[G W]

But... but... but WHY? Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?

Because it's easy.

 

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[Scottmichaelj]

But... but... but WHY? Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?

WHY NOT?

 

NodeLink & BWS Systems Hue Emulator to name two. Polygot? My goal is to find a cheap alternative to use instead of a RaspberryPi with low power consumption. I think this will fit the bill.

[Teken]

I can't speak for anyone else besides myself - but, my long term goal has always been to find an extremely low energy consuming (Windows OS) based computer to run various applications & programs.

 

Unfortunately back in the day finding a all in one low power, high output processor, with enough I/O's has always been a challenge. If a person also included (value) price point to the criteria to the immediate goal that pretty much narrowed the field to hobby boards.

 

I am interested to see what Scott finds out once he puts this little stick through its paces. Personally I am not a fan of the stick form factor but for those who like extreme portability this fits the bill.

 

I've always liked the Intel NUC's square box's and if properly spec'd out were just crazy powerful. But sadly doing so shot the price point where it made no sense at all. Never mind they weren't exactly energy savers when compared to this stick computer here.

 

I think the first person that breaks $45.XX for something similar will have a serious win fall.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Scott,

 

Excellent idea! NodeLink runs on Mono which is a Windows Emulator (as far as I know). So, the process should be easy (please consult io_guy). It would be excellent to know whether or not NodeLink would be as stable on Azule.

 

Polyglot is based on Python and you can get Python on Windows. So, again, this will be a good test.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[mwester]

Because it's easy.

 

Best regards,

Gary Funk

 

Um, ok...

 

Sort of liking buying a complete automobile when all you need is the engine, just because it's easier!  Windows is just such a "high-maintenance" OS compared to an RPI or similar device.

 

I'm suspecting that the real draw of this device is not that it's in any way a better solution technically, but rather that it's familiar!  Which is fine, that's a completely justifiable and rational reason to prefer something.

[G W]

Um, ok...

 

Sort of liking buying a complete automobile when all you need is the engine, just because it's easier! Windows is just such a "high-maintenance" OS compared to an RPI or similar device.

 

I'm suspecting that the real draw of this device is not that it's in any way a better solution technically, but rather that it's familiar! Which is fine, that's a completely justifiable and rational reason to prefer something.

Exactly. It's easy.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[Scottmichaelj]

Um, ok...

 

Sort of liking buying a complete automobile when all you need is the engine, just because it's easier!  Windows is just such a "high-maintenance" OS compared to an RPI or similar device.

 

I'm suspecting that the real draw of this device is not that it's in any way a better solution technically, but rather that it's familiar!  Which is fine, that's a completely justifiable and rational reason to prefer something.

What if you installed Ubuntu 14.04 on it instead of Windows? Is Ubuntu high maintenance?

[Scottmichaelj]

I can't speak for anyone else besides myself - but, my long term goal has always been to find an extremely low energy consuming (Windows OS) based computer to run various applications & programs.

 

Unfortunately back in the day finding a all in one low power, high output processor, with enough I/O's has always been a challenge. If a person also included (value) price point to the criteria to the immediate goal that pretty much narrowed the field to hobby boards.

 

I am interested to see what Scott finds out once he puts this little stick through its paces. Personally I am not a fan of the stick form factor but for those who like extreme portability this fits the bill.

 

I've always liked the Intel NUC's square box's and if properly spec'd out were just crazy powerful. But sadly doing so shot the price point where it made no sense at all. Never mind they weren't exactly energy savers when compared to this stick computer here.

 

I think the first person that breaks $45.XX for something similar will have a serious win fall.

Teken, maybe something like this would be more to your liking?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=11886886&PID=5226272&SID=Contextual_ziffcat_28806_Newegg_InFocusKangarooMobileDesktop

 

Why do you need to always compare size with power? You know its not the size that matters right? 

 

From my post above "Teken said he doesn't like the form factor, however for my needs its perfect. I can put velcro on it and stick it anywhere I want or need to. Behind a TV, no problem. In a AV rack, no problem. Squeezed between AV hardware, no problem."

[G W]

Teken, maybe something like this would be more to your liking?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=11886886&PID=5226272&SID=Contextual_ziffcat_28806_Newegg_InFocusKangarooMobileDesktop

 

Why do you need to always compare size with power? You know its not the size that matters right?

 

From my post above "Teken said he doesn't like the form factor, however for my needs its perfect. I can put velcro on it and stick it anywhere I want or need to. Behind a TV, no problem. In a AV rack, no problem. Squeezed between AV hardware, no problem."

Taken just likes to complain and ramble.

 

Best regards,

Gary Funk

[Teken]

Teken, maybe something like this would be more to your liking?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=11886886&PID=5226272&SID=Contextual_ziffcat_28806_Newegg_InFocusKangarooMobileDesktop

 

Why do you need to always compare size with power? You know its not the size that matters right? 

 

From my post above "Teken said he doesn't like the form factor, however for my needs its perfect. I can put velcro on it and stick it anywhere I want or need to. Behind a TV, no problem. In a AV rack, no problem. Squeezed between AV hardware, no problem."

 

For the record I don't *Always compare size with power* but the reality is some things go hand in hand generally speaking. With the advent of Intels low power and high performance mobile chips this distinction has become less. Having said this, as I clearly stated if processing power is major requirement price (value) is rarely if ever aligned.

 

When you throw in low power (below 5 watts) into the equation its near impossible to find a very small form factor computer that doesn't exceed the price ratio as the stick you're referring to.

 

Mini computers have been present for many years but the (major) makers / vendors have not yet produced a mini computer which encompasses all of the variables like: Price, Performance, I/O, Reliability, Energy Consumption, etc.

 

As I clearly stated similar but different micro / mini computers like the Intel NUC depending upon configuration are extremely powerful in terms of performance, I/O, reliability.

 

But fail to meet the price and energy consumption levels such as the stick your using. If one were to use any Apple iPhone as an example its clear this single device is one of the most powerful SOC computer every made by man. Unfortunately its not a Windows computer either, never mind its no where near the price point of the stick your using either.

 

So yes size can be had, performance can be had, I/O's can be had, energy consumption can be had.

 

But, you will not see price as being one of them in the sub $99.XX and below. 

 

Taken just likes to complain and ramble.

 

Best regards,

Gary Funk

 

Its obvious you mistaken the difference between qualifying a need vs having a personal view. Just because I don't conform to the iSheep bah bah bah - Kool Aid drinking type doesn't mean you should hate.

 

Also, my screen name is Teken - Not Taken like *He's taken my snow cone away - so now I'm crying in the corner*. Just because you don't share my personal views is this a reason to attack and insult another member on the forums?

 

Keeping in mind you can select the *ignore button* anytime to ensure my ramblings don't insult your snow cone mentality.

[Scottmichaelj]

For the record I don't *Always compare size with power* but the reality is some things go hand in hand generally speaking. With the advent of Intels low power and high performance mobile chips this distinction has become less. Having said this, as I clearly stated if processing power is major requirement price (value) is rarely if ever aligned.

 

When you throw in low power (below 5 watts) into the equation its near impossible to find a very small form factor computer that doesn't exceed the price ratio as the stick you're referring to.

 

Mini computers have been present for many years but the (major) makers / vendors have not yet produced a mini computer which encompasses all of the variables like: Price, Performance, I/O, Reliability, Energy Consumption, etc.

 

As I clearly stated similar but different micro / mini computers like the Intel NUC depending upon configuration are extremely powerful in terms of performance, I/O, reliability.

 

But fail to meet the price and energy consumption levels such as the stick your using. If one were to use any Apple iPhone as an example its clear this single device is one of the most powerful SOC computer every made by man. Unfortunately its not a Windows computer either, never mind its no where near the price point of the stick your using either.

 

So yes size can be had, performance can be had, I/O's can be had, energy consumption can be had.

 

But, you will not see price as being one of them in the sub $99.XX and below. 

 

 

Its obvious you mistaken the difference between qualifying a need vs having a personal view. Just because I don't conform to the iSheep bah bah bah - Kool Aid drinking type doesn't mean you should hate.

 

Also, my screen name is Teken - Not Taken like *He's taken my snow cone away - so now I'm crying in the corner*. Just because you don't share my personal views is this a reason to attack and insult another member on the forums?

 

Keeping in mind you can select the *ignore button* anytime to ensure my ramblings don't insult your snow cone mentality.

 

 

Hey buddy you having a bad day? Chill out on Gary I am sure he was joking. As for your name, spell check probably changed it to Taken vs Teken. I had to fix it too. Just cuz he didn't put a cute emoji don't mean he wasn't joking around. I was also joking with you too Mr Sensitive. 

 

Now back to this device. I believe we have come to a turning point and there are decent quality options out there for price vs performance. Will this run faster than a i3 Intel Nuc? No, but it isn't as expensive as one either. Does it run small lightweight tasks? Yes. Specifically the fact here is, for the price point does it perform as well as a RaspberryPI to be able to work in conjunction with the ISY? Based on what I am seeing yes it can and it is probably is better and easier than a RPI since it has full Windows 10 OS. Therefore there is no learning curve with a RaspPI. Sure UDI could make a RPI image with Polygot and simple instructions how to add things like NodeLink and Hue Emulator for Alexia but why be limited to a RPI when you can have a nice small PC stick running as a server on your network to handle other tasks too?

 

Haters gonna hate. I am so far am happy with it and it fits my needs. It may not fit for everyone, but for me it does what I want it to do. I thought I would share and help the forum but seems like we all just end up bickering and making rude comments at each other instead of being supportive of each other. Do I need to hear "Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?" no not really. Its not productive and it has no positive direction for the thread. I stated "why" I wanted it. From now on before we post maybe we should ask ourselves "is this going to benefit the thread" and maybe if we don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all.

[Teken]

Hey buddy you having a bad day? Chill out on Gary I am sure he was joking. As for your name, spell check probably changed it to Taken vs Teken. I had to fix it too. Just cuz he didn't put a cute emoji don't mean he wasn't joking around. I was also joking with you too Mr Sensitive. 

 

Now back to this device. I believe we have come to a turning point and there are decent quality options out there for price vs performance. Will this run faster than a i3 Intel Nuc? No, but it isn't as expensive as one either. Does it run small lightweight tasks? Yes. Specifically the fact here is, for the price point does it perform as well as a RaspberryPI to be able to work in conjunction with the ISY? Based on what I am seeing yes it can and it is probably is better and easier than a RPI since it has full Windows 10 OS. Therefore there is no learning curve with a RaspPI. Sure UDI could make a RPI image with Polygot and simple instructions how to add things like NodeLink and Hue Emulator for Alexia but why be limited to a RPI when you can have a nice small PC stick running as a server on your network to handle other tasks too?

 

Haters gonna hate. I am so far am happy with it and it fits my needs. It may not fit for everyone, but for me it does what I want it to do. I thought I would share and help the forum but seems like we all just end up bickering and making rude comments at each other instead of being supportive of each other. Do I need to hear "Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?" no not really. Its not productive and it has no positive direction for the thread. I stated "why" I wanted it. From now on before we post maybe we should ask ourselves "is this going to benefit the thread" and maybe if we don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all.

 

Scott,

 

Your right its hard to tell inflections on the Internetz Yo! I also agree having a Windows OS based micro computer does indeed meet the global demand for many including myself. As I said, my preference is for a different form factor and that's just a personal choice.

 

I did qualify if the stick form factor was to your liking then have at it hause! 

 

LOL . . .

 

The link you provided to the other micro computer would probably be more to my liking perhaps because its a familiar shape? As I said early on your review of the product interests me a lot because it offers personal insight to a new product I haven't used before.

 

For something as light weight as Nodes, Polyglot, and others this is why these mini / micro computers interest me. Unlike many here my over all driving goal is energy management & energy consumption. Trying to balance those needs with price, performance, and I/O, for me at least has been very hard to come by.

 

Regardless, take the feed back from me and others with a hefty grain of salt. Like you many of us come here to learn, share, and offer personal insight in hopes of helping others.

 

None of us have to agree - but hope very much we can acknowledge personal views on the subject at hand.

 

Just because I don't agree with the thin is in - does this mean you won't let me drive the BMW?!?! 

[G W]

I wrote what I wrote. Don't read anything into it.

 

You have exactly 5 seconds to get and keep my attention. Otherwise I stop reading and move on.

 

That pretty much means I didn't read all of previous 5 posts.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[mwester]

... Do I need to hear "Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?" no not really. Its not productive and it has no positive direction for the thread. I stated "why" I wanted it. From now on before we post maybe we should ask ourselves "is this going to benefit the thread" and maybe if we don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all.

 

No, I guess *YOU* don't need to hear that - you're clearly not open to any other opinions anyway.  But had someone responded with some factual, rational discussion as to why a micro-stick burdened with the extra memory and storage demand of Microsoft Windows, not to mention the extra dollar cost burden of Microsoft Windows is a better solution, well, then that WOULD have been a productive discussion.  Thank you for the clarification -- I shall endeavor to NEVER post anything that even smells of being contrary to your position on ANYTHING ever again. So sorry.  (Perhaps you need a forum all of your own to post upon?)

[Teken]

I wrote what I wrote. Don't read anything into it.

 

You have exactly 5 seconds to get and keep my attention. Otherwise I stop reading and move on.

 

That pretty much means I didn't read all of previous 5 posts.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

 

No, I guess *YOU* don't need to hear that - you're clearly not open to any other opinions anyway.  But had someone responded with some factual, rational discussion as to why a micro-stick burdened with the extra memory and storage demand of Microsoft Windows, not to mention the extra dollar cost burden of Microsoft Windows is a better solution, well, then that WOULD have been a productive discussion.  Thank you for the clarification -- I shall endeavor to NEVER post anything that even smells of being contrary to your position on ANYTHING ever again. So sorry.  (Perhaps you need a forum all of your own to post upon?)

 

I quoted both of the members not to single you out but because it was just easier to reply to.

 

LOL . . .

 

First of all, anyone who has ever taken the time to read my rants, raves, or feed back. Knows I have strong views from politics, religion, and of course technology. There have probably been more times than not where my views were expressed in a manner that put some members off.

 

I speak from the heart and more often than not like to share my thoughts with the membership. I find the opposing views of others great because they (at times) make me think, consider, or even change my views. Now, having said this there has always been a huge gap in using various operating systems.

 

This has been a fact for decades . . .

 

Its safe to say most of the membership are indeed tech enthusiasts but not many are programmers, experts in all flavors of OS's.

 

The pros and cons of each operating system has been debated to death so don't see a need to do again here. But, its safe to say very few people will need to read for days, weeks, months, if not years to get some of the programs using Windows vs Linux / Unix.

 

Everyone knows every Windows OS has steadily become more bloated and spyware. Again, it doesn't take away the ease of use and deployment of the very same. Members have varying degrees of technical back ground and its safe to say this shapes most of us in what we gravitate or use on a daily basis.

 

The Apple product is the perfect example where some of the most complex codes ever created by man has been able to dumb it down to the masses. The Mac OS is the epitome supplying a user interface to the lowest common denominator of the consumer getting into computers.

 

All in all everyone has a like, dislike, or even I dare say disdain for one vs the other.

 

Ultimately the forum is provided to share ideas and thoughts and hope very much everyone can at least say yes to that. I'm not sure why this thread went side ways so quickly - perhaps I didn't use any emoji's as I was on a 1980 computer at the time.

 

Perhaps I don't like the ones offered in the forums vs the ones on the smartphone?

 

Moving forward I will try to edit out the replies to include the emoji to indicate the inflection.   

[Scottmichaelj]

No, I guess *YOU* don't need to hear that - you're clearly not open to any other opinions anyway.  But had someone responded with some factual, rational discussion as to why a micro-stick burdened with the extra memory and storage demand of Microsoft Windows, not to mention the extra dollar cost burden of Microsoft Windows is a better solution, well, then that WOULD have been a productive discussion.  Thank you for the clarification -- I shall endeavor to NEVER post anything that even smells of being contrary to your position on ANYTHING ever again. So sorry.  (Perhaps you need a forum all of your own to post upon?)

 

I would love to have a real discussion about the PC stick and I don't need smoke blown up my... however randomly saying "Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?" with nothing else attached doesn't bring us to start a rational conversation about "as to why a micro-stick burdened with the extra memory and storage demand of Microsoft Windows, not to mention the extra dollar cost burden of Microsoft Windows" now does it?

 

You state "Why on earth would anyone run Windows on a headless micro-stick?" so I guess you miss in my first post where I said "My goal here is to find a low powered device that can run 24/7 stable for things like Nodelink, the Hue Emulator, and maybe a few other programs on" or "However some of us don't want to or have time for the learning curve for the RaspPI"?

 

Now your saying there is additional cost or burden to using Windows when I said already that "Its only about $20 more than a RaspPi" setup. You sir are not bringing anything factual to the table. I didn't say this stick was better (or Windows was better) than a RPI either, I am nearly suggesting an alternative for some of us who do not want a RPI but looking for a low power PC to run 24/7 for things like NodeLink.

 

Lets be perfectly clear about something, I am not here to sell you on buying one of these. I have no financial gain or incentive. I was trying to share what my experience is with this device for others whom maybe interested on the forum. If it doesn't interest you then by all means just move on.

[G W]

Wow! I'm glad I only read the first sentence of each post.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[paulbates]

Scott,

Thanks, this is a great find. Really interested to see how this plays out functionally as a nodeserver platform.

 

This could fill the external server need for a lot of ISY users... node servers like nodelink will need an external server for the foreseeable future. There are many ISY users that see the learning curve of linux as too much to take on.

 

Having options is a great thing.. anybody testing this please keep this thread updated

 

Paul

[Scottmichaelj]

Scott,

Thanks, this is a great find. Really interested to see how this plays out functionally as a nodeserver platform.

 

This could fill the external server need for a lot of ISY users... node servers like nodelink will need an external server for the foreseeable future. There are many ISY users that see the learning curve of linux as too much to take on.

 

Having options is a great thing.. anybody testing this please keep this thread updated

 

Paul

Thanks Paul, will do. I was thinking along the same lines. So far NodeLink is working well so far along side the BWS Systems Hue emulator, ftp server via Filezilla, and a web server thats hosting a redirect page. Next thing is to load up Polygot but I am not familiar with it or anything that currently runs on it so my plan was to look into it this weekend. Ill post back my results.

[io_guy]

I'll throw in my chirp.  Windows (standard, not even embedded in this case), with a not terribly well-known manufacturer, on wireless is far from the best route for home automation.  Especially when you talk about multi-tasking it to use plex or Kodi.

 

Here's my machine.  I installed it maybe three years ago and have done zero maintenance.  It's the original Pi B (not a 2 or 3). It cost $30, no case and runs off those stupid 500ma USB bricks that everyone has 10 of.  Aside from power failures in the house, I have never rebooted it.

 

There's a step-by-step how-to in the forum for setup.

 

[io_guy]

Excellent idea! NodeLink runs on Mono which is a Windows Emulator (as far as I know). So, the process should be easy (please consult io_guy). It would be excellent to know whether or not NodeLink would be as stable on Azule.

 

This is a common misconception about mono, many people believe it is an emulator/simulator for Windows.  Mono is an open source implementation of Microsoft's .NET Framework.  It can run and Windows and be used instead of Framework if you wanted.  It is in no way an additional layer to running .NET applications and requires no additional overhead.

 

Fun fact...  The company which develops mono (Xamarin) is owned by Microsoft.