CompuLab Intense PC System Review: Fanless Ivy Bridge
by Dustin Sklavos on April 20, 2013 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Fanless
- Ivy Bridge
- desktops
- CompuLab
Conclusion: Successful for It's Intended Purpose
If you're looking for a small fanless PC, there's typically a good reason why. It goes without saying that the CompuLab Intense PC isn't for everybody, or even for the majority of users, but it definitely serves its purposes. Like the fanless Logic Systems LGX AG150 we tested, the Intense PC can handle kiosk duty, but its more burly chassis also lends itself well to industrial environments, and it's more customizable as well. The front of our review unit features four USB 2.0 ports, but CompuLab offers alternative "FACEs" which can change the connectivity of the unit. That includes adding more gigabit ethernet ports, which can allow the Intense PC to operate as a heavy duty router or server.
Where things get hazy is the price tag. The 2-year warranty is good but not earth shattering for what's essentially a business-class product, and if you want this bad boy shipped with Windows you might be paying a premium. The LGX AG150 can be had for $409 with Windows 7 32-bit, but an Intense PC with a Celeron will cost you $549 before you even add in a Windows license. The LGX AG150 also ships with an SSD standard, something CompuLab can't claim.
.jpg)
Thankfully for CompuLab, they're not in the most direct of competition. If barebones x86 performance is where you need to be, the LGX AG150 will take care of you, but if you need some horsepower or a more rugged build, you're already looking at the Intense PC. The Intense PC also offers substantial customization options. If you need more performance and are willing to sacrifice complete silence and some durability, Lenovo's ThinkCentre M92 Tiny is also a solid alternative. My point is that while each of these systems has something to recommend it, none of them directly outclass each other.
I'm almost getting tired of saying this in reviews, but I've handled a lot of specialized kit and the Intense PC is no different. You already know if you were in the market for something like this, and the information you needed was just if it worked and how well it worked. I'm pleased to report it works and works well, and while you do lose a small chunk of the performance you might have expected from the i7, it's otherwise a fine and solid product. If you need it, and the price is not an object, the CompuLab Intense PC will serve you well.
Update: The mini-PCIe slot does support mSATA. The i7-3517UE is also 200MHz shy of the stock i7-3517U, so the performance drop is actually a more reasonable one.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
44 Comments
View All Comments
SteelCity1981 - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
for that much and it doesn't ship with a 256 or even a 128 SSD? yeah that's more then a bitter pill to swallow.sylvez - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
They should make it watertight at the back so u can dip it into a shallow pail of waterfteoath64 - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
Great board with excellent ports layout and diversity but design-wise, why could they not make a copper based convection fins with heat-pipes going from CPU/chipset to the back of the metal casing. It would give this a wickedly stylish look rather than cylinder head block look and surface temperatures so high, it becomes hard to touch!. Some minor design changes can make this a great device for many uses ...crashtech - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
Taller/more fins might have helped. You'd think a design aimed at industrial applications would put functionality over aesthetics.Souka - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
One thing missing in the design... a cutout for my coffee cup!if it had that, I'd get one.
Co-worker: "Hey, that's a really spiffy looking cup warmer!"
me: "Yep... and it's also my computer!"
me: "Dang, coffee isn't warm enough... time to run some SETI for a few mins"
:)
Death666Angel - Monday, April 22, 2013 - link
+1! :Dcoolhund - Monday, April 22, 2013 - link
The biggest problem I have with those small barebones is always the lack of enough USB ports.I need at least 10, more like 12 and an USB Hub is not an option because of bandwidth and stability issues.
Solandri - Monday, April 22, 2013 - link
If you still have the review unit, see if the exterior temps get too hot to touch with a low-power fan blowing over it. Yes I know it defeats the purpose of a fanless system, but I ran into the same thing while recovering files from dismounted hard drives. If I ran them just sitting there, they got over 50 C within a half hour and stopped working (one hit 60 C according to its SMART log and has never been the same since).I bought a HDD cage to mount them in which came with I'm guessing a 500-700 RPM fan. It's dead silent, and you can barely feel any airflow even if you put your hand right next to it. But apparently that tiny bit of airflow is enough to keep the drives below 40 C.
So I'm guessing you don't actually need much forced airflow over this to keep the exterior temps at a comfortable level. If you can mount it somewhere where it gets that airflow naturally, whether from an open window or a HVAC vent, the exterior temperature may be much cooler.
Googer - Monday, April 22, 2013 - link
Several companies are selling this same exact kit.http://www.tinygreenpc.com/
CalaverasGrande - Monday, April 22, 2013 - link
Who else want's to mount one in their car?