CompuLab Intense PC Fanless Mini Core-i7 is No Raspberry Pi

By Paul B. Wordman on March 23, 2012 · 12:31 pm

CompuLab's Intense PC miniature case is packed with more features, processing-power, and expandability than any other ultra-small PC currently available. With dimensions of 7.5” x 6.3” x 1.57”, Intense PC is no $35 Raspberry Pi Computer. The Intense is certainly small, but does not have the footprint of a credit card, as is the case with the Raspberry Pi. The starting price of US-$399 is quite a bit more intense, as well. (Puns happen: unashamedly, and without excuse.)

That intensity comes from jamming so much CPU power, extensibility, FACE modules (Function and Connectivity Extension), and customization options into a miniature, fanless, passively-cooled design with a metal housing that looks like a router.

Intense PC Project Manager at CompuLab, Stas Lapchev, said “We see bringing this kind of performance into a fanless design as a major achievement. Intense PC consumes just 8W in idle, yet both CPU cores can reach 2.4 GHz when Intel® Turbo Boost kicks in - thanks in large part to the groundbreaking power management of the 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Processor.”

That diminutive little package contains up to a Core i7 CPU with HD Graphics 3000, up to 16 GB dual channel DDR3-1333 RAM, two USB3 ports, dual-head high definition displays, internal SSD or HDD with dual eSATA, 7.1 channels digital audio in / out, dual GbE, 2 mini-PCIe sockets, 802.11n WiFi with 2 antennas and a serial port.

But wait, there's more, as often said in TV infomercials. In short, 1.57” tall, remember? - it's loaded with great components. Unlike so many infomercial products however, this Lilliputian device really delivers. We're running short of breath listing it all, so let's just do the numbers.