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USFF/NUC/Mini PCs

Recently, Ultra Small Form-Factor (USFF) a.k.a. Next Unit Computers (NUCs) have been rising in popularity on the market. By virtue of them mostly being x86-based, they are as compatible with Batocera as any desktop PC is. But since they rely solely on integrated graphics, their performance is usually a bit lower and they may struggle with thermals. With that said, most modern USFF/NUCs will still give you full speed emulation for 5th gen consoles and below.

Just because your device isn't on the Tested devices list here doesn't mean it's unsupported, it's just a list of devices that have been reported as working to the Batocera team, and what version it was running on. Consider this like a benchmark table, with less information. Let us know on the Discord if you have Batocera running on your own USFF not listed here.

Their standard "kit" doesn't include any pre-installed operating system. Perfect for Batocerizing!

Tiny all-in-one computers with impressive performance for their size. Available as “Mini PCs” with everything already installed. If you'd instead like to source the individual components yourself (like DIMM sticks, storage, etc.) you can get a “kit”, which is essentially just the case and the motherboard. Check out their range at their support page.

You may need to activate the Intel i965 drivers, but it should work out of the box with most kits.

Required accessories

  • Depending on your configuration, you may need to buy RAM sticks and/or storage. These devices are very do-it-yourself (if you want to).
  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
Intel NUC6i5SYH https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/89190/intel-nuc-kit-nuc6i5syh.html v31 Can emulate up to 7th gen fine, struggles with Xbox. PS3 is not working. Needs Intel i965 drivers to be activated.
Intel DC3217BY https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/71274/intel-nuc-kit-dc3217by.html v31 Can emulate up to 5th gen fine, some easy Dreamcast and GameCube games.
Intel NUC11PAHi5 https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/205040/intel-nuc-11-performance-kit-nuc11pahi5/specifications.html v32 Freezes when pressing [SELECT] in a game list.

You remember this little guy sitting underneath the monitor, right?

A bit more of a stretch, these were USFFs that were commonplace in offices and schools. They can usually be found second-hand for cheap prices, just keep in mind they've probably had a lot of use. You can check out their current range available for purchase on their official website, just look for the “Micro” form-factor.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance

To be filled.

Powerful mini PCs that go so far as to have high-end graphics cards. On the high-end of the price scale, and for good reason.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
Dell Alienware Alpha R2 https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-au/product-support/product/alienware-steam-r2-console/overview v32 FIXME

Not to be confused with IBM's ThinkCentre computers, Lenovo's take on the USFF is a more contemporary approach. Check out their range at their website.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Tiny all-in-one computers with impressive performance for their size. Check out the range at their product page.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Just because your device isn't here yet doesn't mean it's unsupported, this is just a list of confirmed fully functional Asus Mini PCs and what version of Batocera they were tested on. Consider this like a benchmark table, with less information. Let us know on the Discord if you have Batocera running on your own Asus Mini PC.

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
ASUS PN50-BBR033MD ASUS Product Page, Newegg page Amazon page or Microcenter page. v32 FIXME
ASUS PB-50 (Ryzen 3550h, 8GB RAM) ASUS Product Page v33 can emulate up to 6th gen fine (struggles with xbox, gamecube up to 720p, ps2 native resolution). BEWARE: loud fan noise!

HP's line of regular small form factor PCs. The Micro line is incredibly thin, but usually at the cost of any disc drive/graphics card expandability.

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
HP 280 G2 Small Form Factor https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-280-g2-small-form-factor-pc/11747117 v32 With an RX 580 GPU, emulates up to 6th gen fine.

HP's Thin Clients are little USFF computers designed to connect to a larger server network that runs a VM for the machine to take over that can come in a variety of form factors. Check out their range at their Thin Clients page (scroll down to the bottom and click on “Learn” in the “HP Desktop Thin Clients”).

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
Thin Client M340C AMD GX-412HC Discontinued, no official pages. Here's a blog post about it. v32 PSX, N64 and Dreamcast full-speed at 720p.

Check out their range on their product page.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
ZOTAC ID41 (Atom D525) https://www.zotac.com/product/mini_pcs/id41-plus v31 Up to 5th gen

These ones aren't usually a “line” of devices, but one-offs by various companies that usually don't get upgraded with a new hardware revision later. They can offer great value when picked up second-hand.

A discontinued line of USFF computers by ViewSonic around 2011, can still be found for good prices second-hand.

Required Accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested Devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
ViewSonic VOT133 https://www.viewsonic.com/la/index.php/vot133-1-183539e54667dddc02d46f94bc0d43c5.html v31 Up to 5th gen

Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi's take on the NUC form-factor. Official page here.

Required accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
CHUWI LarkBox Pro Mini PC Intel® Celeron® J4125 https://store.chuwi.com/products/chuwi-larkbox-pro v31 FIXME

A higher-end small form-factor PC packing a beefy Ryzen processor.

Required accessories

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
CHUWI RZBOX AMD RYZEN 9 4900H https://store.chuwi.com/products/chuwi-rzbox v32 FIXME

A tinkerer's dream, a small form-factor PC with built-in Arduino. Official page. This device is really an SBC, but isn't in the same class as the other SBCs on their own page.

Required Accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers

Required Accessories

  • Keyboard and mouse (for standalone emulator configuration/light gun games, most emulators can be configured with just a controller though)
  • Display and speakers
  • Micro-SD card (recommended just to use Batocera off the SD card)

Tested devices

Model/Make Link Batocera Performance
AWOW NY41S https://www.amazon.com/Fanless-Celeron-Computer-Ethernet-AWOW/dp/B09F3BJNPH/ or directly from AWOW. v32 Kills 5th gen, can do some low-end 6th gen.
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