Logic Supply ML100G-30 Fanless Broadwell vPro Industrial NUC Review
by Ganesh T S on April 29, 2015 11:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Intel
- Fanless
- NUC
- Industrial PC
- Passive Cooling
- Logic Supply
Final Words
The Logic Supply ML100G-30 provided us with the opportunity to evaluate a fanless vPro industrial PC. From our evaluation, it is clear that Logic Supply has been able to deliver effectively on the promise of a fanless NUC. The chassis has been designed to adapt the default NUC configuration for the requirements of industrial PCs. The online ordering page provides lots of options for customization.
Despite the excellent acoustics that come with being completely fanless and reasonable power consumption numbers, we didn't evaluate the platform for its media capabilities. We also do not recommend the unit as a passive HTPC. Simply put, the platform commands a premium for its vPro capabilities. In addition, the absence of any HDMI port on the board mean that there are less costly alternatives for the home theater market.
In terms of scope for improvement, we have a spare SATA port on the board. The ability of the chassis to- capability to accommodate a 2.5" drive would be welcome, given that we have already sacrificed on the chassis height. Our review unit also came configured in single channel memory mode, and this leaves performance on the table. In the end, it is a matter of cost to the consumer. Users looking to squeeze every last bit of performance from the machine should definitely be looking at a dual channel configuration. Thankfully, Logic Supply's ordering page allows you to do the same.
On the positive side, the availability of vPro / AMT capabilities is a very welcome feature in the industrial PC space. The chassis design also accommodates serial I/O and digital I/O pins in an aesthetic manner. The thermal performance is also improved, when compared to the Core-ML320 from last year.
Despite a couple of minor quibbles (neither of which are show-stoppers), we have to say that Logic Supply's ML100G-30 is an excellent option for consumers looking for a passively cooled NUC with vPro capabilities. Its industrial components lend itself to a multitude of applications such as digital signage, kiosks and the like (even in harsh environments). RS232 COM port and DIO (Digital I/O) support mean that the unit is also ready to participate as a master controller in the industrial automation / M2M / IoT scene. The remote operation / platform management capabilities that come with vPro / AMT only sweeten the deal.
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Ammaross - Wednesday, April 29, 2015 - link
"Logic Supply HTPC use is not the market (I think) of the model they supplied."You must have missed the term "Industrial" in the title of the review....
mtnman81 - Tuesday, June 23, 2015 - link
Why would you use and industrial computer for a HTPC. Do you just have too much money? That is the only case I can think of. A regular NUC would be much more appropriate for a HTPC. I have one in that very role now. It is the 4th gen i5 model running a 250GB m.2 drive for xmbc and pulls all media files from the network. Without a actual disk needing to turn inside the enclosure it self, it stays extremely cool. The bios are set by default to only cue the fan when needed and running with 16gb DDR3 1600, displaying dual full HDX I am yet to see the fan be cued. The frame of the case being solid metal you can feel that there is nearly no heat to speak of when you hold your hand to it.That being said this is not the application I would ever look at one of the Logic Supply units for. Why would I pay twice as much to get a industrial one for home use when the consumer one fits the bill better anyway since it has built in IR receiver for a remote?
The Logic Supply models do make sense for the application they were intended for. As far as all of you saying that it doesn't have serial and it doesn't have this or that. It has all the interface ports needed for you to be able to adapt it to any application that this "should" be used for. I find it despicable that serial ports are so prevalent in automation. We are the technology side of industry so lets get with the times. I am glad they didn't waste interface real-estate with a dedicated serial port! As far a redundant network connections, your complaint is ridiculous as most automation controllers and proprietary HMI's don't even have redundant network connections. It does have built in Wi-Fi antenna sockets so you could always utilize that if necessary or use a USB to Ethernet adapter. This may industrial rated but it is not allowable as a safety controller and I can not imagine what other process you have that is so critical that you planning on this unit running as the backbone of a critical system. Perhaps you have not appropriately though out your process before you started specking hardware for install.
pekpetrolhead - Thursday, April 30, 2015 - link
Giada F300 is a similar unit to the above, been using as a HTPC for over a year, totally silent and very solid unit.Model
Giada F300
OS
Windows®7,8 & Linux
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5-4200U Processor, 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Chipset
Integrated into CPU
Display
Intel®HD Graphics 4400
Microsoft®DirectX®11
Memory
Not included
One SO-DIMM slot, up to 16GB of DDR3L 1600 MHz
HDD
Not included
Support 2.5inch SATA Ⅲ or SATA Ⅱ Type HDD
Wireless
Not included, optional IEEE 802.11 b/g/n module
LAN
1x Realtek®Gigabit Ethernet Controller
1x Rj45 port on the back pane
Audio
Realtek®High Definition Audio
(5.1) Digital audio via DisplayPort 1.2 connector
1x Audio out &S/PDIF combo jack on the front panel
1x Mic in jack on the front pane
Interface
4x USB3.0 (two on the back panel)
2x USB2.0 (on the back panel)
2x COM Port (one on the back panel)
1x DC-IN jack (19V /12V )
IR
An infrared sensor on the front panel
1x 3.5mm audio jack for extended infrared sensor
Not included Remote Control(Optional )
Size
10.3in x 6.9in x 1.4in
260mm x 175mm x 35mm
Color
Black
Beaver M. - Saturday, May 2, 2015 - link
These mini PCs all have one huge flaw: Not enough USB Ports. And if you want stability and reliability youre not going to start with USB hubs. Period.I rather build an ITX system that wont be much bigger (actually much flatter), has far more power (up to i7) more storage, more RAM and over 3 times as many USB ports.