CompuLab’s Linux Mint flavored MintBox Mini Pro mini-PC updates the Mini with an AMD A10 Micro-6700T, plus BT 4.0, mini-PCIe, and twice the RAM and storage.

The CompuLab built, $395 MintBox Mini Pro, which ships with the Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon distribution, updates the $295 MintBox Mini with a lot more performance and features in the same compact 108 x 83 x 24mm footprint. That’s considerably smaller than earlier collaborations between CompuLab and the Linux Mint project, such as the circa-2013 MintBox 2.

MintBox Mini Pro, front and back
(click images to enlarge)

The MintBox Mini Pro is a slightly stripped down version of the Fitlet-RM series of CompuLab mini-PCs, which is available in Fitlet-RM-iA10 (2x GbE ports) and Fitlet-RM-XA10-LAN (4x GbE) models. The MintBox Mini Pro has two GbE ports, and the feature set is very similar, although it skips some Fitlet features like eSATA, PCIe slots, and CompuLab’s FACET expansion interface.

Fitlet-RM-XA10-LAN

Like the similarly sized Fitlet-RM, the MintBox Mini Pro runs Linux Mint on a quad-core AMD A10 Micro-6700T processor. The A10 Micro-6700T uses AMD’s Puma+ architecture, the successor to the Jaguar (Kabini and Temash) architecture. Whereas the MintBox Mini ran on a 1GHz/1.6GHz boost AMD A4 Micro-6400T SoC, the A10 Micro-6700T starts at 1.2GHz and boosts to 2.2GHz. Even with the available AMD Radeon R6 Graphics, the processor still manages to maintain a low 4.5W TDP, leading here to a range of 4.5W to 10.5W.

Compared to the MintBox Mini, you get twice the RAM at 8GB DDR3L-1333, and instead of 802.11b/g/n WiFi, you get dual-band 802.11ac plus Bluetooth 4.0 and a micro-SIM slot. Other new features include a mini-PCIe slot and a serial port. You now get a 120GB mSATA SSD, up from 64GB, and there are four USB 2.0 ports instead of three. Like the original, there are two USB 3.0 ports.

MintBox Mini Pro (left), MintBox Mini (middle) and MintBox 2
(click image to enlarge)

Otherwise the systems are almost identical, with features like a microSD slot, dual HDMI ports, and analog and digital audio. Commercial, extended, and industrial temperature ranges are available for the passively cooled system. Heat dissipation is said to be improved over the original Mini.

Specifications for the MintBox Mini Pro include:

• Processor — AMD A10 Micro-6700T — (4x quad-core, 64-bit “SteppeEagle” cores @ up to 1.2GHz or 2.2GHz boost); 4.5W TDP; includes AMD Radeon HD 8210 graphics (Radeon R6)
• Memory — Up to 8GB DDR3L-1333 SDRAM via 1x SODIMM
• Storage:
  • mSATA 3.0 for up to 1TB (6Gbps)
  • microSD slot
• Display — 2x HDMI 1.4a, 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz with audio; dual display support
• Wireless — 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz); Bluetooth 4.0; micro-SIM slot
• Networking — 1x or 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports with WOL and PXE
• Other I/O:
  • 2x USB 3.0 ports
  • 4x USB 2.0 ports
  • S/PDIF 7.1+2 channels in/out via 3.5mm jack (Realtek ALC886)
  • Stereo line in/out via 3.5mm jack (Realtek ALC886)
  • RS232 port (mini serial connector)
• Expansion — full-size mini-PCIe slot
• Other features — Aluminum and zinc case; watchdog; 5-year availability
• Operating temperature (three ranges available, all with SSD):
  • Commercial — 0 to 70°C
  • Extended — -20 to 70°C
    
  • Industrial — -40 to 70°C
• Power:
  • 10 to 15V DC input
    
  • 4.5W to 10.5W consumption
• Weight — 250 g
• Dimensions – 10.8 x 8.3 x 2.4cm
• Operating systems — Linux Mint 18Cinnamon (64-bit) pre-installed; supports and other 32- and 64-bit Linux; Windows 7/8/10 32- and 64-bit

 
Further information

The MintBox Mini Pro is available at CompuLab starting at $395, with shipments in three weeks. More information may be found at the Linux Mint blog announcement, the CompuLab MintBox Mini Pro product page, and the CompuLab shopping page.