Logic Supply LGX AG150 Fanless Mini-ITX PC
Logic Supply LGX AG150 Fanless Mini-ITX PC
Roughly a month ago Logic Supply announced the launch of a “Low Profile, High Octane” system, the LGX AG150. The specifications are as follows:
| Processor | Onboard 1.86 GHz Atom N2800 processor |
| Memory | 2 DDR3 800/1066 SO-DIMM Up to 4 GB of memory |
| Optical Drive | N/A |
| Hard Disk Drive | 2.5″ notebook HDD |
| Flash Module | Supports SATA flash modules (no IDE support) |
| Wireless | Optional, see drop-down menu above |
| Expansion | PCI Express Mini Card (full height - can be used as mSATA) PCI Express Mini Card (half height) |
| Front Access | Power button 2 RS-232 COM ports (optional, AT/Everex) 2 USB 2.0 ports |
| Cooling System | Heat sink/heat pipe combination on mainboard Chassis fins |
| Back Panel Access | 2 USB 2.0 high current ports 2 USB 2.0 ports 1 VGA port 1 HDMI port 1 LAN port 2 Antenna holes 2 Audio jacks 1 12-volt DC jack (8 V to 19 V) |
| Power Supply | Onboard DC-DC power External AC adapter (brick) |
| Dimensions (w x h x d) |
206 x 32.5 x 185 mm 8.1″ x 1.3″ x 7.3″ |
| Operating System | Windows 7 (32-bit only) |
| Operating Environment | Max. 40°C/104°F room temperature |
| Recommended Applications | Appliance computing, industrial control, data acquisition |
| Included Items with Case | Mounting brackets Heat pipe Screws |
| Warranty | 1 year on parts and labor |
A few weeks ago, Mike Chin, over at SilentPcReview.com receive a sample LGX AG150 unit for review. From the review, it appears the LGX AG150 is a very capable system. Pretty much on par with any of the E-350 offers available on the market. Suffice to say I am fairly impressed. Intel has definitely stepped up its game with the new Cederview Atom offerings. Especially when considering the power consumption of 12W idle and 18W load.
The main take away from the review is that the LGX AG150 is a very capable system. For HTPC applications, it is a near perfect fit. There are two potential draw backs:
- It appears the motherboard has support for SPDIF out, however Logic Supply has opted to not include a SPDIF connector on the units back panel I/O.
- OS driver support is minimal, with only support for Windows 7 32 bit. Logic Supply has admitted that “support for Linux, such as Ubuntu 10.04, is spotty, with limited video decode and playback capability.”
If you read through the specifications, you’ll notice the LGX AG150 comes with two RS-232ports. The ports, coupled with the fanless design, ventless design, lack of backpanel SPDIF I/O, mounting bracket, and wide voltage operation. This clearly indicates the unit is designed for industrial and commercial applications. Most industrial/commercial users will never find the use for a backpanel SPDIF I/O and most HTPC users will require a wide operating voltage or RS-232 ports.
Personally, I love the design of the unit. It reminds me of a sub-woofer amplifier. It is very industrial. I also love the completely fanless design. I don’t care much about the “silent” quality, as most HTPC offers are fairly silent these days. What matters is no vent = no dust and no fan = no moving parts; assuming the use of a SSD. The unit can simply go longer and harder without any maintenance.
At the end of the day, the LGX AG150 appears to be a superbly engineered computer. It does appear to be very much designed for commercial/industrial applications. As a result, I believe the high price tag is a reflection of the need for always on operation and 24/7 reliability.
So, would I run out an buy one for as my HTPC? No. Although I think the system is great, I believe you can build a comparable system for less. The LGX AG150 is a fantastic computer, but definitely a bit out of place in the HTPC market.
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