Solved latest KVM/QEMU on MiniPC with W11 VM very fast now

Hi folks
I'm more and more impressed with these MiniPC's.

Running one now with a Windows W11 pro VM on opensuse tumbleweed -- performance is excellent and CPU usage fairly minimal. For a PC costing around €170 how can I possibly complain.

OK not for gamers etc - but you could get several of these to perform specific jobs -- They make brilliant file servers and media streamers too. OK you need your own keyboard / mouse/monitor but who hasn't got those already !!!!!.

I can't see myself ever buying a new "classical" laptop again and certainly not a desktop PC.

Latest KVM/QEMU IMHO now outperforms HYPER-V and it's a lot more flexible with dynamic USB and PCI re-direction too.

VM (ist screenshot) and Host (2nd screenshot) running with VM active




Even from WITHIN the VM - imaging the VM disk itself (100GB) disk to external USB disk (Classical SSD type 2.5 ins - but an old one) with the "Old Macrium Free" -- yes it still works OK --- it's fast enough. Around 5 Mins.





Cheers
jimbo

Very nice. I too have fallen for these mini PCs, but I do still like to have a good laptop handy as well. Especially something nice and portable like with a 13" screen. Although, I must say that Mini PCs like this intrigue me:

hsehestedt said:

Very nice. I too have fallen for these mini PCs, but I do still like to have a good laptop handy as well. Especially something nice and portable like with a 13" screen. Although, I must say that Mini PCs like this intrigue me:

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@hsehestedt

Here I'm pushing this tiny box -- no probs with remote file access -- nearly 28 TB (yes TB) online via USB3 connections !!! and a VM running W11 Pro also active.

These boxes are so either underrated or ignored).

Also using an HDMI transmitter / receiver pair so no need for a thick HDMI cable



Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Here I'm pushing this tiny box -- no probs with remote file access -- nearly 28 TB (yes TB) online via USB3 connections !!!

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I've got you beat . I have 40TB connected via USB to a Mini PC. I plan to add another 40TB soon. I already have all the drives, I just need another 5 bay enclosure.

EDIT: BTW, for all that storage, there is no way I am trusting Storage Spaces. I use StableBit DrivePool and it is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite software products of all time.

hsehestedt said:

I've got you beat . I have 40TB connected via USB to a Mini PC. I plan to add another 40TB soon. I already have all the drives, I just need another 5 bay enclosure.

EDIT: BTW, for all that storage, there is no way I am trusting Storage Spaces. I use StableBit DrivePool and it is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite software products of all time.

StableBit - The home of StableBit CloudDrive, StableBit DrivePool and the StableBit Scanner

stablebit.com

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@hsehestedt

For that type of storage ANY LINUX beats Windows hands down -- just use MDADM (Linux SOFT RAID) - any RAID = beats Windows Storage spaces any time -- and if you need Windows just add a VM on it -= KVM/QEMU is a world beater now as far as VM systems are concerned -- any Linux kernel >=6.10 has latest improvements (and of course all free).

But as you say I'm a great believer in those Mini-PC's, -- Before installing Linux on them of course back up the original Windows system they are usually supplied with - you can use that for VM's or even if you need to "Dual boot".

Using a powered USB3 / USBC multiport adapter one can connect loads of US B devices -- I usually like the 2 bay RSHTECH ones = so 2 of those seem to me the best for connecting to those N95/97/100 cpu powered Mini PC's.

Big vote here to "Mini PC's". !!

Cheers
jimbo