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I’m just not happy with a laptop as my new desktop computer

Early in December I finally transitioned from my old Airtop-PC to the aforementioned Lenovo P14s as my primary desktop computer. Over the holidays I received a USB-C dock that also serves as a monitor shelf. That allowed me to reorganize my desk.

The laptop stays tucked away under the shelf. One USB-C cable runs to the dock/hub, which feeds the monitor, connects to Ethernet and the USB keyboard. A Logitech MX Master 3 BT mouse rounds it all out.

Mobile Pixels Aluminum Monitor Riser with Docking Hub

I have to power the laptop separate from the hub. The hub doesn’t provide the wattage that the P14 demands. Since I had a spare USB-C power supply, that was not a problem.

The trouble is, I’m just not happy with this arrangement. It’s not really a good replacement for the old desktop.

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Compulab Airtop: The strong, silent type of desktop computer

airtop-isometry-cutout-300pxI can’t really explain it, but fanless, small form-factor computers have always held a lot of appeal. Over the years I’ve twice selected SFF models as my desktop. Compulab, and Israeli company, has consistently offered very interesting SFF platforms, including the Fit-PC and Intense PC Series.

I bought an original Fit-PC simply because it was interesting and relatively affordable. However, novel as it was, Fit-PC was destined for industrial and signage applications. With hardware common to a netbook it simply didn’t have the grunt to be more than a plaything. While the Intense PC models were more powerful, they were also considerably more expensive than a traditional SFF desktop. I admired them from afar.

This week Compulab noted that they are beginning to produce their newest model, the Airtop-PC. It looks like their most innovative design yet.

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