The Surface NUC1, a compact tablet-PC hybrid from the company X+, has recently garnered attention for its potential as a Roon server and streamer. With a 7-inch 1280 x 1080 IPS touchscreen, Intel Alder Lake N200 CPU (up to 3.7GHz), 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD, it presents a compelling package at a price point of €260. The device also features a 3600mAh battery, multiple USB ports, HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and comes with a folding keyboard, all running on Windows 11.
Roon's official recommendations for running their Core software include a minimum of Windows 10, an Intel i3 CPU, and 8GB RAM for libraries under 100,000 tracks. They further advise that systems should have sufficient RAM for Roon and any other tasks, recommending 16GB or more for optimal performance. The Surface NUC1 meets these specifications, suggesting it could handle Roon Core effectively.
However, several considerations arise:
- CPU Performance: The Intel Alder Lake N200, while capable, is an entry-level processor. Its performance in handling Roon's DSP features or managing larger libraries remains uncertain without specific benchmarks.
- Storage Expansion: The device's design may necessitate external storage solutions for extensive music libraries, potentially leading to protruding USB connectors, which could be aesthetically displeasing or impractical for some users.
- Manufacturer Credibility: Information about X+ is scarce, raising questions about product support, warranty, and long-term reliability. Potential buyers might prefer to wait until the Surface NUC1 becomes available through reputable retailers to ensure better customer service and return policies.
Source: Darko.Audio Is this your next Roon server/streamer? | Darko.Audio
