is there a desktop thingie that has a lower power consumption than asus eee box or dell studio hybrid? (or anything low powered with a case in that matter)
Well if you are looking for a full on desktop mini PC then you are a bit limited. There are others, all easy to find. All expensive, especially if you are using them as a mining controller.
For me I just got this
this "netbook." and I think it's going to work as well as any of these other options, if not better. It has the added benefit of an attached screen and keyboard, as well as 3 x USB, 2GB on-board storage with an SD expansion slot, and full wireless capabilities out of the box. For half the price of most options, and not having to wait for restocks of RPis, I think it's pretty slick.
Now I may find out that there are some issues but for the price and what it seems to offer, I think it's worth testing it out.
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I just noticed that you said you are going to go with the mele a1000. If you can get that for $70 or so I think it will be nice. I know you said you wanted to have a case and that one sure does give that "Is still a computer." look. Something you would be willing to have out in the open. I'm really looking to put mine in a drawer though, haha.