I'm very happy to announce that thanks to a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, I have in my hands a FriendlyElec NanoPi M6 - in this configuration, a tiny fanless desktop #microPC based on the Rockchip RK3588S processor.

I've had my eye on this device to fill the role of ultraportable desktop PC, especially in the event my laptop ever breaks or is lost/stolen, which would instantly render me unable to work if I didn't have a backup.

because of this generous gift, I'll be able to put the #NanoPi M6 to the test, and answer my top-of-line question: just how usable is this device as a light-duty desktop PC running Linux right now, in 2026? how well is the hardware supported? will I have problems getting work done?

I'm looking forward to having answers to all that and more. be sure to keep an eye on the Peertube channel @surfhosting.cc in the coming weeks and months ... and thank you so much to my donor, you know who you are!

#CouchLab #miniPC #RK3588 #RK3588S #FriendlyElec

I'm very happy to announce that thanks to a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, I have in my hands a FriendlyElec NanoPi M6 - in this configuration, a tiny fanless desktop #microPC based on the Rockchip RK3588S processor.

I've had my eye on this device to fill the role of ultraportable desktop PC, especially in the event my laptop ever breaks or is lost/stolen, which would instantly render me unable to work if I didn't have a backup.

because of this generous gift, I'll be able to put the #NanoPi M6 to the test, and answer my top-of-line question: just how usable is this device as a light-duty desktop PC running Linux right now, in 2026? how well is the hardware supported? will I have problems getting work done?

I'm looking forward to having answers to all that and more. be sure to keep an eye on the Peertube channel @surfhosting.cc in the coming weeks and months ... and thank you so much to my donor, you know who you are!

#CouchLab #miniPC #RK3588 #RK3588S #FriendlyElec

it's kinda funny how many posts I boost about Arm based machines considering I still do most of my computing on x86... the pull of miniaturization and low power consumption is strong when living a nomadic existence and/or building a #CouchLab, despite the fact there are often many more gotchas with Arm gear.

we're starting to see more x86 machines in the SBC size regime, but the fact that AMD just does not make CPUs in the ≤ 6 watt range, and Intel's TDP ratings are infamously "flexible" has a lot to do with the fact there are so few ultra-mini x86 systems.

I have a feeling the future direction of this project, as I start to get into more testing & reviewing of hardware (assuming I get the cash to do so, or people donate hardware), is going to involve a lot of Arm-based gear. and of course, if I have big problems or get stumped trying to get a particular system going due to platform gotchas, that'll be part of the review.

at the moment I have 2 main interests in Arm boxes for use & review:

FriendlyElec NanoPi R76S (for NAS use)

FriendlyElec NanoPi M6 (ultimate miniature fallback device for desktop computing as it's the size of a pack of smokes .. currently I have a much less capable NanoPi M4 in a cardboard box filling this role)

it's kinda funny how many posts I boost about Arm based machines considering I still do most of my computing on x86... the pull of miniaturization and low power consumption is strong when living a nomadic existence and/or building a #CouchLab, despite the fact there are often many more gotchas with Arm gear.

we're starting to see more x86 machines in the SBC size regime, but the fact that AMD just does not make CPUs in the ≤ 6 watt range, and Intel's TDP ratings are infamously "flexible" has a lot to do with the fact there are so few ultra-mini x86 systems.

I have a feeling the future direction of this project, as I start to get into more testing & reviewing of hardware (assuming I get the cash to do so, or people donate hardware), is going to involve a lot of Arm-based gear. and of course, if I have big problems or get stumped trying to get a particular system going due to platform gotchas, that'll be part of the review.

at the moment I have 2 main interests in Arm boxes for use & review:

FriendlyElec NanoPi R76S (for NAS use)

FriendlyElec NanoPi M6 (ultimate miniature fallback device for desktop computing as it's the size of a pack of smokes .. currently I have a much less capable NanoPi M4 in a cardboard box filling this role)

3D-Printed Mini Racks are GREAT... but which one? | Hardware Haven [20:24]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=776-6ph7zsQ

tl;dw: comparison of three 3D-printed #10InchRack contenders for the #HomeLab or #CouchLab - each has pros & cons

#MiniRack #HardwareHaven #DIY

3D-Printed Mini Racks are GREAT... but which one? | Hardware Haven [20:24]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=776-6ph7zsQ

tl;dw: comparison of three 3D-printed #10InchRack contenders for the #HomeLab or #CouchLab - each has pros & cons

#MiniRack #HardwareHaven #DIY

the two cats who actually like me have been making up for lost time, mean cat has been excitedly leading me to the usual play spot much more than normal, and tiny cat has been jumping up on the #CouchLab and actually staying there for more than 2 seconds, which is further than she was willing to go before.

I really don't know how I lived without felines from 2021 to 2023 or so, but it was pretty horrible.

THIS is Why I Bought a #Framework Laptop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYKlKyv6tI

tl;dw: upgrade #Framework13 laptop, slap old motherboard - which fully supports this - in a 3D printed case, and do any number of things with it

entertainment PC, mini desktop, blade server in a cluster, NAS with 6x SATA HDD ... take your pick!

maybe that high up-front cost isn't quite so bad after all?

#DIY#HomeLab#CouchLab

THIS is Why I Bought a #Framework Laptop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYKlKyv6tI

tl;dw: upgrade #Framework13 laptop, slap old motherboard - which fully supports this - in a 3D printed case, and do any number of things with it

entertainment PC, mini desktop, blade server in a cluster, NAS with 6x SATA HDD ... take your pick!

maybe that high up-front cost isn't quite so bad after all?

#DIY#HomeLab#CouchLab

Hardware Haven pokes at one of those fanless Intel N150 systems with 4x 2.5GbE

it works with 32GB memory (16GB officially supported), has an NVMe slot, and other interesting features such as an RJ45 serial port and some provisions made for 4G or 5G modems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFbV9uoapuU

#N150#CouchLab#HomeLab#miniPC

Hardware Haven pokes at one of those fanless Intel N150 systems with 4x 2.5GbE

it works with 32GB memory (16GB officially supported), has an NVMe slot, and other interesting features such as an RJ45 serial port and some provisions made for 4G or 5G modems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFbV9uoapuU

#N150#CouchLab#HomeLab#miniPC

I did it, I'm installing Debian 13 trixie and will install Proxmox VE 9 on top of that #couchLab

I did it, I'm installing Debian 13 trixie and will install Proxmox VE 9 on top of that #couchLab