What are some good tiny/mini/micro computers for a homelab?

My requirements would be
- x86_64
- 8GB RAM or upgradable to such
- upgradable ssd
- can install linux distros on it

📌

Does it have to be intel based (or amd as well).
You can use hardkernel boards, or rasp pi as well.

@magicMirror

CPU manufacturer doesn't really matter.
But I want x86_64 because of the better performance and OS compatibility.

I already have 2 RPis but they are causing some compatibility problems with a lot of distros.

I too wonder, whether Raspi-sized single-board computers with a real SATA port, a real GbE port, 8+ GiB RAM - and _full_ _vanilla_ Linux kernel support exist.

The _full_ _vanilla_ Linux kernel support is what mostly just isn't there as manufacturers seem to only make prototypes - not actual products. Looks like they are all just fishing for some big customer who needs hundreds of thousands of boards and is happy to pay extra for actually working drivers.

Now people start looking for x64 only because the driver situation there isn't as dire as long as there is no nVidia logo on any of the chips...

@Oktokolo

I searched: x86 Raspberry Pi size

https://cnx-software.com/2020/10/...

Edit:

Cant find anyone that sells it though. Damn it. Fuck you chip shortage.

@Oktokolo

I found an Atomic Pi here:

https://ameridroid.com/collections/...

Might be others here too.

@Oktokolo I found this too:

https://up-shop.org/up4000series.ht...

You could try the Minisforums. I have one for my HTPC and it's ... eh .. not the greatest when it comes to 4k Display, but if you're using them just for VMs they might be good. Also the fans can get annoying so be aware of that.

NUC?

@Oktokolo

Raspberry Pi?

Maybe this one? https://minixpc.com/en-de/...

Do you need the small size? ATX boards still have lots of advantages unless you need to pocket it or if you live in a shoebox.

@Demolishun: Well, you can always search - but can't find what isn't there:

Cnx-Software.com: No Sata and 4 GiB RAM are less than 8 GiB RAM.

Atomic PI: No Sata and 2 GiB RAM are less than 8 GiB RAM.

Up-Shop.org Has an other wise good product, but still no SATA.

@Oktokolo I was solely looking at form factor. I thought about pc-104, but those tend to be spendy.

@Fast-Nop That one actually looks pretty good. Might even be better than the NUC.