PlanetPC XR Mini - The Next-gen Desktop

The PLANETPC XR2 Mini Desktop is a performance system that offers high-end features in a tiny size. The XR series is an Ubuntu Linux mini desktop designed for professionals, developers, gamers, homelabs and content creators who are looking for a high-performance mini PC. With a compact size of 29 x 26 x 6cm / 11.4 x 10.2 x 2.36 Inch, the XR2 Mini Desktop is small enough to fit on a desk or shelf.

The XR2 Mini Desktop comes with a unique integrated touch screen that gives access to soft keys for frequent tasks, a system monitor, and controls for WiFi, Bluetooth, VPN, network disk, audio, and other system functions. The touch screen interface makes it easy to navigate the system and access settings without the need for a mouse or keyboard.

Under the hood, the XR2 Mini Desktop is powered by an 8-core superfast ARM processor coupled with a Mali-G610 GPU and a 6 TOPS Neural Processing Unit for exceptional performance. The XR series has up to 32 gigabytes of memory as well as up to 128 gigabytes of flash storage, making it a powerful machine for running multiple applications and processes simultaneously. Built-in storage options range from 256GB up to 2TB of solid-state storage, allowing users to store and access large amounts of data quickly.

Pros and Cons for using the XR2 for Self-Hosting

Pros:

• High-performance machine with up to 8-core processor, Mali-G610 GPU, and 6 TOPS NPU for exceptional performance
• Comes with Ubuntu 20.04 pre-installed, making it easy for Linux users to get started
• Includes an integrated touch screen for easy navigation and access to system settings
• Supports dual gigabit ethernet and WiFi 6 for high-speed internet connectivity
• Includes dual video output with 4K and 8K output options

Cons:

• Limited RAM options with a maximum of 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
• Internal storage options may not be sufficient for some users needs
• Limited expandable storage options with only 2TB NVMe SSD via USB
• Integrated touch screen may not be necessary for some users and adds to the overall cost of the device
• Price point may be a barrier for some users with a starting price of $449.

One of the coolest features of the XR2 Mini Desktop is its zero-configuration, which makes it easy for anyone to become a Linux user straight out of the box. Additionally, the XR series includes many features that improve the Linux and PC user experience. The XR2 Mini Desktop supports dual gigabit ethernet and WiFi 6, ensuring high-speed internet connectivity. It also includes dual video output, with two HDMI ports for 4K and 8K output, as well as VGA.

The XR2 Mini Desktop comes with an ARM Rockchip 3588 8 core CPU with a 64-bit architecture, 4 Cortex-A76 cores and 4 Cortex-A55 cores. It also comes with a Mali-G610 MP4 quad-core GPU and NPU computing power up to 6 TOPS, making it a great machine for running compute-heavy tasks. The XR2 Mini Desktop is available with 4GB LPDDR4, 8GB LPDDR4x, or 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. It also comes with internal storage options of 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB, with expandable storage options up to 2TB NVMe SSD via USB.

The XR2 Mini Desktop also includes an integrated color touch screen with a resolution of 1424 x 280, making it easy to navigate the system and access settings. The XR2 Mini Desktop comes with Ubuntu 20.04 pre-installed, ensuring a smooth out-of-the-box experience for Linux users. It also includes a multi-LED indicator strip with RGB color options, allowing users to customize the look of their mini desktop.

In terms of connectivity, the XR2 Mini Desktop comes with 2x 1GB Ethernet ports, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo speakers, microphone, earphone output, and a micro SD and SIM slot.

The XR2 Mini Desktop is now available for purchase on the Indiegogo page with various options for different storage capacities and RAM. The campaign page provides detailed information about the product and its technical specifications, as well as reviews from tech enthusiasts who have already purchased and tested the product. The campaign also includes special early bird discounts for early buyers, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking for a high-performance mini desktop.

Final Notes and Thoughts

The small size and high performance make it a great homelab for self-hosting, and its zero-configuration makes it easy for anyone to become a Linux user straight out of the box. With its unique integrated touch screen and high-end features, the XR2 Mini Desktop is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful mini desktop that doesn't compromise on performance.