[TriLUG] Ubuntu on Intel NUC

[Scott Chilcote via TriLUG]

Hi LUGgers,

I replaced a fairly ancient laptop that I use as a 3rd screen in my
office with an Intel NUC recently. 
These miniature computers have been around for a while.  The laptop's
fan was getting steadily louder, and it gave me a good reason to
upgrade.  Here's an image link, in case you haven't seen a NUC yet: 
http://trilug.org/~chilcote/images/nuc3.jpg
<http://trilug.org/%7Echilcote/images/nuc3.jpg>

There are a bunch of variations of the NUC involving different
processors, slots, options, and overall size.  The smallest have no fan
and seriously limited expansion.  The largest are decently powerful and
have been used as gaming consoles.  This one has a core i3, two memory
slots, drives two displays, HD 7.1 audio, gigabit ethernet, bluetooth, a
slot for a mini wifi card, and room for two SSD drives (one 2.5", one
mSATA). 

It also has a small fan.  This was a concern because I enjoy having a
quiet office.   It has to be very quiet indoors for it to be noticeable
though.

The NUC does not arrive ready to use.  It includes no operating system,
and the slots are empty.  You get to equip it as you want and install
the OS.  Fortunately, the groundwork has been performed for getting
Linux to load.  I used a USB stick to install Ubuntu, and it went in
without a hiccup. 

Howto instructions are available on Intel's NUC pages.  If you get an
old NUC, it may need to have the firmware updated in order to load Linux
easily.  But that update has been around for some of years.

An interesting feature of the NUC is that it has an adapter and screws
to mount it on the VESA holes on the back of an LCD monitor.  Just add a
keyboard and a mouse to make an invisible desktop computer.

Its compatibility with ubuntu wily (15.10) has been flawless.  One
shortcoming of my previous laptop was that suspend/resume hadn't worked
in years, and likewise hibernate mode.  So it was either leave its fan
whirring overnight, or shut it down and manually restore my workspaces
each day.  

Suspend/resume works flawlessly on the NUC.  That's nearly worth the
$300 and some change by itself!

So the summary is "would buy again".  If anyone wants a very old laptop
with zero battery life, let me know. 
Oh, and I'll add a punch line.  When you open the box that the NUC comes
in, you get music.  Seriously. 
Intel stuck a light sensitive little battery powered gadget in the box
that plays a surprisingly loud tune when you open it. Cue intro...!

   Scott C.

-- 
Scott Chilcote
scottchilcote at ncrrbiz.com
Cary, NC USA