MM and UBUNTU. Made for each other.

mdhenriksen · Dec 25, 2018, 10:00 PM

@Mykle1 Using old laptops makes sense to me too. But i do have one question; how do you manage heat and fan noise? I’m concerned that an old laptop gets hotter than a Pi behind a mirror and if its using a HDD and has a fan it must either get noisy or hot (if you disconnect the fan)

Mykle1 · Dec 25, 2018, 10:46 PM

@mdhenriksen

I have not found heat to be an issue at all. In fact, by removing the motherboard from the case, the temps are actually lower, even when placed behind a mirror. As long as the construction of the mirror is well ventilated, I don’t think that would ever be an issue.

I do not remove the fan. I’ve found that in a normal environment, (people, tv, ambient noises, etc…) the fan noise isn’t even noticeable. Only when the house, or room, is completely silent is the fan audible. For me, this is not an issue when a mobo mirror outperforms any Pi mirror, hands down.

Note: There are silent fans these days but I have never used them with a mirror. I’ve never felt the need to but that is certainly an option for anyone.

mdhenriksen · Dec 25, 2018, 10:47 PM

@mykle1 said in MM and UBUNTU. Made for each other.:

@mdhenriksen

I have not found heat to be an issue at all. In fact, by removing the motherboard from the case, the temps are actually lower, even when placed behind a mirror. As long as the construction of the mirror is well ventilated, I don’t think that would ever be an issue.

I do not remove the fan. I’ve found that in a normal environment, (people, tv, ambient noises, etc…) the fan noise isn’t even noticeable. Only when the house, or room, is completely silent is the fan audible. For me, this is not an issue when a mobo mirror outperforms any Pi mirror, hands down.

Note: There are silent fans these days but I have never used them with a mirror. I’ve never felt the need to but that is certainly an option for anyone.

Nice to know! Got a old laptop I’m gonna try it with then! Using MMM-pages and MMM-voice, so a more powerful CPU would be preferred.

Mykle1 · Dec 25, 2018, 10:52 PM

@mdhenriksen said in MM and UBUNTU. Made for each other.:

Using MMM-pages and MMM-voice, so a more powerful CPU would be preferred.

That is largely the reason I moved away from the Pi. (I still have my first Pi mirror). I’ve been using MMM-voice and Hello-Lucy for about a year now and I could not be more pleased with the results and the performance.

bhepler · Dec 27, 2018, 1:35 AM

I did learn the hard way that a miniPC running an Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics is not suitable for Ubuntu and therefore the MagicMirror. The IGP does not have drivers in Ubuntu 14, 16, nor 18 and uses most of its power to render the desktop.

I might put the server version on it and turn it into a gateway or something.

Mykle1 · Jan 28, 2019, 2:16 AM

@bhepler said in MM and UBUNTU. Made for each other.:

Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics is not suitable for Ubuntu and therefore the MagicMirror.

The only two laptops that I’ve had trouble with are both ThinkPads. I struggled with them and eventually gave up.

However, I did have success with a little piece of $h1t with specs similar to what you mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ8t3UoKYu0

Total cost = $11

Specs:

ASUS Eee PC
Intel Atom CPU N570 @ 1.66GHz x 4
2GB of RAM
Intel Pineview M Graphics
Display 8.5" width by 5.25" height
250GB HD
Integrated microphone
Built-in WiFi
VGA port (for external monitor)

$11 on craigslist

64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
MagicMirror v2.1.3

Modules:

MMM-Advice
AlarmClock
calendar
clock
compliments
Cocktails
EARTH
EasyBack
Events
FMI (Find My iPhone)
ImageSlideshow
Lunartic
newsfeed
NOAA3
PC-Stats
voice w/ Hello-Lucy
WunderGround

bhepler · Dec 28, 2018, 8:12 PM

@mykle1 - Sigh. I suppose I can try again. Did you have to do any fiddling to get the OS to use a graphics driver?

Mykle1 · Dec 29, 2018, 3:19 AM

@bhepler said in MM and UBUNTU. Made for each other.:

Sigh. I suppose I can try again. Did you have to do any fiddling to get the OS to use a graphics driver?

No sir. I did a standard install of ubuntu 16.04LTS (I only use this version. I tried 18.xx and had trouble) During the setup of the installation there is a click box for “use third party drivers” or something to that effect. I always click (enable) that option. I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning but I always use a wired internet connection during installation. It’s just faster that way as it updates everything.

Let me know how you make out. :thumbsup:

Mykle1 · Apr 9, 2019, 5:02 AM

Recommendation Update

Actually, this is more of a recommendation confirmation. While you can use ubuntu 18.xx and MM together, I don’t recommend it. I just did a clean install of ubuntu 18.04. Newest stable node and npm. MM v2.6.0. Yes, it runs MM but I don’t see any benefit to using ubuntu 18.xx over 16.04 LTS. I don’t like the changes to the UI in 18.xx and I really don’t like dealing with all the vulnerabilities.

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS has a more intuitive UI (IMHO) and there are NO vulnreablilities to deal with. NONE!

So, for the time being, I’m staying with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. It’s trouble free and MM loves it, too.

I did a test install of Ubuntu 18.04 on a machine I found in someone’s trash. That’s when the vulnerabilities reminded me of why I don’t like 18.xx. Look at the specs. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

batfastard · Apr 9, 2019, 4:26 AM

not gonna lie, i actually have a i5 mini pc laying around and have been fiddling with the pis for weeks now trying to get everything dialed in and your post got me a little pumped to be able to use this pc i got.

i got ubuntu installed no problem…

i know NOTHING about it so i couldnt even get past how to install the wireless adapter lol…

so im scrapping this and going back to install raspbian on the pc and will try it at that point.