A new version of Mintbox is in the works. Featuring an Intel i5 processor, it will have more than 4 times the performance of the original MintBox (the Pro version). From a financial point of view, it will cost roughly the same as MintBox Pro.

Great news for Linux Mint fans who want a simple, durable, and portable Mint-powered device. Lead Linux Mint Developer Clem Lefebvre announced that MintBox 2 is in the works and that it will offer more than 4 times the performance thanks to its Intel i5 processor – at roughly the same price.

“The i5 CPU is a great compromise between performance and price, giving us 4 times the performance of the MintBox Pro at roughly the same price. The i7 processor, in comparison, would have pushed the cost above $800 and only gave an additional 5% performance gain (8GB RAM + i7 CPU scored 7919 with the same benchmark),” said Lefebvre.

MintBox 2 Technical Specs

• Intel i5 processor
• 4GB of RAM memory
• 500GB HDD
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet
• 5 years warranty
• 7541 Geekbench score
• $599 Amazon price including shipping and fees.

It must be said here that CompuLab is working to enable European customers to order via Amazon.de. This means they won’t have to pay duty/customs tax; and shipping costs are included in the price, so they won’t have to worry about that either. Since we’re speaking about money, I should also be added that Both CompuLab and Linux Mint reduced their margins. Linux Mint dropped its margin from 10% to 5%.

Back in June 2012, MintBox, the first branded Mint device, was introduced by the Linux Mint Team and CompuLab, company that’s been making embedded computer-on-modules for over 15 years. If you’re not familiar with MintBox, let me refresh your memory.

MintBox – A Look Back at Its Main Features

• A fit-PC3 unit no bigger than a DVD case
• Runs the Linux Mint open-source operating system
• Just plug in a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor and you can start using Linux Mint
• Available as a Basic (standard case) and a Pro version (ribbed case)
• 250GB HDD, 8 USB ports (4 in the back, 4 in the front), Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI port, and DVI adapter
• mintBox Basic has an APU G-T40N 1.0 GHz dual core processor, Radeon HD 6290 – 9W graphics card, and 4GB of RAM
• mintBox Pro has an APU G-T56N 1.65 GHz dual core processor, Radeon HD 6320 – 18W graphics card, and 8GB of RAM
• MintBox Basic is priced at $476
• Mintbox Pro is priced at $549.

You can find out more about MintBox and you can purchase the device by following this link.

And I end this article with some MintBox pics.