MintBox Mini as development environment (LAMP)

[oss117]

Hello to all,

I have 3 questions regarding the following product : MintBox Mini.

I need a small desktop solution for my IT job. This desktop must be able to run the following software :

• PHPStorm (that relies on Java). This is an IDE.
• A small database (MySql or MongoDB).
• Apache with PHP.

Please note that this desktop will only be used as a development (coding) environment. Volume is not an issue for the database. Charge is not an issue for the Apache server. If I need to perform load testing, I have a dedicated environment for that.

QUESTION 1: Does that MintBox Mini is an appropriate solution for this kind use ?

I guess that there is no problem for the database and the Apache server, since I can use a Raspberry PI 2 (with Debian Jessie without graphical interface) to handle basic testing.

However, I wonder if The MintBox Mini can handle PHPStorm under Cinnamon, smoothly. By « smoothly », I mean « fluid ». Please also note that if it needs 8 Gb, it is not an issue.

QUESTION 2: Since this product does not have any moving part, I guess that it is immune to vibrations. It should be possible to put it into a suitcase with wheels (depending on the surface you are pulling your suitcase on, vibration’s level could be pretty high). Or I could put the MintBox Mini to cargo bay. Do you confirm ?

Please note that during the transport, the MintBox Mini will be turned off, or course.

QUESTION 3: Is it possible to find a dealer in France ? (Amazon.fr does not sail this product… I wonder why).

Best regards,

Denis

[mbirger]

MintBox Mini is an appropriate solution for this kind use.
No problem to store it in any kind of compartment.

Number of purchase channels
1. You can purchase directly from us: operation@fit-pc.com
2. A list of re-sellers worldwide: http://www.fit-pc.com/web/purchasing/resellers/
3. Amazon.de

[oss117]

@mbirger

Thank you for your response.

I’ll look for Amazon.

Best regards,

Denis

[oss117]

Just to add that I like very much the kind of product you build. The idea of « MintBox » is really pretty cool. I use Mint and MAC and I found that the idea of a « Mint box » is really cool.

I hesitated between the MintBox Mini and the MintBox 2. I chose the « Mini » because it is equipped with an SSD and I think that it is powerful enough for my use : using IDE such as PHPStorm, Atom, SublimeText…

Size and SSD are really important for me since I need to carry the device.

Thank you for creating such a nice device.

Denis

[oss117]

Hello,

I have received the MintBox mini, and I have installed my favourite editor : PHPStorm.

Well, I conclude that the MintBox mini is not powerful enough to run PHPStorm smoothly. It is « just usable », but for real work it’s not usable on the long run. I also think that the problem does not come from the memory, but from the CPUs. So I don’t think that upgrading to 8 Gb will solve the issue : the swap is never used.

I plan to send back the device to Amazon and get the Mintbox 2. I hope that I can.

Best regards,

Denis

[mbirger]

Definitely, MintBox 2 is much more powerful than the mini.