Question 1

Does it have Ethernet port? I could not see any in pictures.

Accepted Answer

No Ethernet port.  I'm using a thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter (apple branded) and it is working great.  I didn't notice the missing port either until after it arrived, but I was lucky enough to have one of these laying around.

It's nice because it's 10/100/1000, gets good speed when connected.

Running OpenElec.

Question 2

Does this product come with windows?

Accepted Answer

No, it does not. This is a barebones unit, a MSATA SSD and RAM will need to be purchased and an OS will need to be procured before it can be used. A wireless card would also be a good addition.

Question 3

Is LINUX an issue with this puppy? I prefer debian/ubuntu based os's.
Zorin is my favorite (you should try it). You'll never pay microsoft another dime.

Accepted Answer

I haven't had any Linux issues.  I use Ubuntu.

The only thing that might get you is that there is no network connectivity with this box unless you buy the wireless chip.  You also have to buy RAM and the hard drive ... so factor that in to the overall price.

Question 4

Where can I find the power cord that goes with this?

Accepted Answer

Any three-slot female laptop AC power cord will work. I ordered the "Fosmon Universal 3-Slot Notebook AC Power Cord, IEC320 C5 to NEMA 5-15P (6 Feet)" from Newegg along with mine and haven't had any issues. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA07R07Z3303

Question 5

Question concerning OSs that can run on this small platform. Can this run a server OS? Win2003 Ent S2 or higher?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. However, the newness of the Intel chipset may require you to download specialized storage drivers duing the Windows Installation. I'd recommend Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2. The processor can run both 64-bit and 32-bit OSes.

Question 6

Will the onboard Thunderbult support VGA?

Accepted Answer

Only if you find a thunderbolt to VGA adapter.   It would then be an additional video interface on the thunderbolt data bus.  Of course you would need the proper drivers for your OS also.

Question 7

Is it possible to install two separate mSATA drives inside the Intel DC3217BY?

Accepted Answer

I don't think so: There's only one Full Size Mini PCI Express slot.

(Unless there's a Half-Size Mini PCI Express SSD drive out there? But even if there was, only the full size one is listed as mSATA compatible.)

Question 8

How do you hook speakers or headphones up to this?

Accepted Answer

USB Headset for one person.

or

HDMI can transmit sound as well as video. Connected it to a HDMI monitor with speakers hooked up to it. Works flawlessly and works with HDMI to a tv as well.

Question 9

I have a few laptop DDR3 ram lying around in my room. I'm not 100% about the voltage or anything. Is there any potential harm to my system if I were to use RAM that isn't compatible? What is the cheapest 4gb stick (just one) that will work with this nuc?

Accepted Answer

There's usually no harm in trying various RAM as long as it physically fits. The system will support either 1.5v or 1.35v ram. Worst case is generally that it won't show video when turned on if the ram is entirely incompatible. I used qty(2) 2GB sticks of Kingston KHX1600C9S3K2/4GX sold as a kit, but the single 4GB stick you're looking for would be any of KVR16S11/4 (1.5v), KVR16S11S8/4 (1.5v), or KVR16LS11/4 (1.35v).  Two sticks are required for the system to enable dual-channel memory mode which may provide a slight performance increase.

Question 10

Included:
GPU Yes?
HDD No?
RAM No?

Accepted Answer

What you need to complete the NUC:

Hard drive (mSata) N82E16820167144
Memory (Laptop memory can hold two 2gb 204pin DDR3) N82E16820233584
Power cord (Kinda funky this one worked for me: N82E16812224039  )
WiFi Card I used this one: N82E16833106190
Operating system: Anything really and a usb or usb dvd drive to install it.
Keyboard and mouse not included either or monitor.

Questions & Answers