Tiny PC to Run a LV2023 EXE

[MogaRaghu]

I have a requirement to display a User Interface with only indicators that are updated via the Serial Port of  a Micro Controller that collects the data from an equipment and scales the values.  Working well on a normal laptop ... but just for this I need to block a laptop !! 

I am hence planning to load the EXE and the LV2023 Run Time a on a  Tiny PC and make it part of the equipment. It has a VGA port and i can easily use a 20" monitor to display the UI.  Planning to get one as below ... any other way to do this ?  To me this looks very budget friendly  and practical. 

[altenbach]

This will work just fine. Any computer that can run windows 11 (X64, not ARM!) can also run LabVIEW.

[BertMcMahan]

That's some pretty old hardware, and that listing is sketchy. A core i5, 4th gen processor isn't officially supported on Windows 11. Plenty of people say it runs just fine, but just FYI. It also uses DDR3 RAM, which is quite old- DDR4 came out in 2014. You'll probably have a pretty slow experience on the computer.

That said, it sounds like the needs of your code requires VERY little in the way of hardware, so it should be fine... BUT that price is VERY low for a computer that says it contains Windows 11 and MS Office. With my experience on Amazon shipping counterfeit stuff, I would suspect those of being pirated copies (or, at the very least, unlicensed, requiring you to bring your own license key).

If you're worried about the OS you can always install Ubuntu. I haven't tried serial through LabVIEW on Linux, but I've done serial with other programs and it works fine, and NI says VISA is supported on Linux so you should be good. Linux tends to run quite well even on very old hardware.

[Kyle97330]

If you want to run W11 on an Intel Core series, you want at least an 8th generation Intel processor.  See this list:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-int...

The 8th generation came out in 2017 so there should still be plenty of PCs to choose from.  I would recommend against the one in your listing for being too old and being suspicious in general.

[altenbach]

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@Kyle97330 wrote:

If you want to run W11 on an Intel Core series, you want at least an 8th generation Intel processor.  See this list:

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Curiously, this system comes with windows 11 preinstalled so obviously they've done some workaround. (I did not look up the actual CPU in the W11 compatibility list because of that).

It seems you intend to use it as a simple controller, no even public needing internet access, so it should be fine.

[MogaRaghu]

Thanks to one and all who responded.

Sure Amazon does have some dubious listings at times and reason why I also was a bit doubtful at the roughly 120 USD price tag. As suggested maybe some hack was done to port the WIN11 OS on to it. 

But by the same token maybe I will take a chance and check it out as the sole purpose of the LV EXE is just to display a few gauges at a slow rate of about 200ms .

[GerdW]

Hi moga,

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@MogaRaghu wrote:

As suggested maybe some hack was done to port the WIN11 OS on to it.

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You know Win11 comes as SaaS and so MS might invalidate "bogus" licenses (or registry keys related to hardware requirements) with each update?

[altenbach]

The curious thing is that this PC costs less than a windows license.

(I think there was once a free version for builders of tiny PCs, but I am not sure if this is still the case. Also, windows runs fine without activation, but there are some cosmetic limitation, e.g. you cannot change the  desktop background.)

[STTAndy]

Hi

I have used Latte Panda on several projects.

https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/dfrobot/DFR0418/6588447?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_c...

This one I have linked to is pretty basic but works just fine for nearly everything I have done. Some projects have been fairly substantial, I used a higher model for those though. I use them for the onboard Arduino which makes IO cheap and easy. Also they have all gone into inspection machines where people simply turn off the power and not once have I needed to maintain them.

I think all the models are available with windows 10, never seen one with Windows 11.

I have used some other small format PC's too and never had an issue other than needing to update the BIOS to boot at power on. 

[billko]

I wouldn't take a chance, especially this being a work-related project. You'll be personally responsible if things go sideways. And nothing says "I'm incompetent" like sourcing from a dubious vendor and having it blow up in your face.