KVR Audio

keys_au1 · Post by **keys_au1** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 3:59 am

You know like the Apple Mac Mini with the internal power, no "power brick"....

I cannot find one, so I am asking to see if experienced folks here know of any.

Thanks

george · Post by **george** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:44 am

I suggest avoiding NUCs with internal power supplies until more efficient chips like Nova Lake are available. These 2 nm chips are expected to undergo mass production and be launched in late 2026 or early 2027.

keys_au1 · Post by **keys_au1** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 9:07 am

Hmmm, Apple seem to have no issues with them? Can you suggest model names please as you seem to know about them?

george · Post by **george** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 11:41 am

This is the one I'm currently using, but it requires an external power supply.

https://store.minisforum.com/products/m ... 5h-mini-pc

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:38 pm

Mine requires an external power supply. I'm not aware of any NUC model that doesn't use an external power supply.

TechHaus · Post by **TechHaus** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:42 pm

I googled it and the ai response at the top had a couple.

keys_au1 · Post by **keys_au1** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:33 pm

audiojunkie wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:38 pm Mine requires an external power supply. I'm not aware of any NUC model that doesn't use an external power supply.

thanks - yes my research has led to the same conclusion. I do wonder why though. Surely Apple tech is not THAT secret that PC makers cannot emulate an on-board power supply?

keys_au1 · Post by **keys_au1** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:34 pm

TechHaus wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:42 pm I googled it and the ai response at the top had a couple.

thanks - that was my first option, but I did not have that result, hence asking here

I will try it again, perhaps my question was incorrectly written??

keys_au1 · Post by **keys_au1** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:47 pm

Found some from Beelink - a bit pricy...I think it might even be better to just get a second hand Mac Mini. It's only essentially going to be used as a virtual synth for live gigs, it won't be doing internet (apart from adding apps) and no gaming. I am giving up on Linux for anything audio and music related. Will keep the current NUC for internet and gaming. It has dedicated GPU and the external GPU Occulink so it should be ok for that. I would have pressed it into service as the on stage sound module, but with the external power supply and it's slightly larger size it makes it a bit impractical.

Thanks to the posters above who took the time to help out!

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:53 pm

keys_au1 wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:33 pm
audiojunkie wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 6:38 pm Mine requires an external power supply. I'm not aware of any NUC model that doesn't use an external power supply.
thanks - yes my research has led to the same conclusion. I do wonder why though. Surely Apple tech is not THAT secret that PC makers cannot emulate an on-board power supply?

Apple don't have any special on board power supply secrets. It's just that apple has always put an emphasis on aesthetic sensibility, and has charged a higher price for it. Others (in general) don't do it, because "Wall Warts" and other external power supply designs have benefits and can be produced cheaper. One of the benefits is heat dissipation. If the power supply is not snuggled up next to the motherboard, things are likely to run cooler. NUCs have had a history of heating problems. When I bought mine, I added a custom top to mine that added an additional built in fan and USB slots. While I like my NUC, I think I would prefer to get a SFF next time, so that I can add an additional USB hub board and a PCI sound card. One thing I hate about apple products is that they don't provide enough ports, and then expect you to use external USB hubs and such, which totally kills what aesthetic sensibility that they started out with........but that's just me.

TechHaus · Post by **TechHaus** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:55 pm

"Mini pc" is the term now not nuc

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 8:23 pm

Regarding power supplies being impractical...
Indeed, wall wraths and power strips don't mix well. The Apple MacBook for instance comes with a clunky one, on power strips with diagonal positioning they block the next slot.
The solution is simple: take a power extension chord of less than a meter. You can make one with the power cord of whatever broken apparatus, screw on a contra-plug and Bob' yer Uncle.

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Fri Jun 26, 2026 8:44 pm

BertKoor wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2026 8:23 pm Regarding power supplies being impractical...
Indeed, wall wraths and power strips don't mix well. The Apple MacBook for instance comes with a clunky one, on power strips with diagonal positioning they block the next slot.
The solution is simple: take a power extension chord of less than a meter. You can make one with the power cord of whatever broken apparatus, screw on a contra-plug and Bob' yer Uncle.

Yep! Great suggestion!

A NUC mini PC with internal power supply - does one exist?