an indication that blockchain is becoming a success for global adoption is when blockchain signatures start replacing pointless hand written ones. Though that will require crypto itself to become normalised as a form of payment for people to have identifying crypto addresses in the first place.
I cant comment specifically since I've never owned one but I have a few crypto frens that do like those devices. Not sure how costs compare but if they are similar, then I'd just go the Mini PC route as I think all this stuff will get easier anyway
GET A UPS DEVICE!
a UPS protects your node in case of an unclean shutdown such as a power outage. It only has to have enough battery capacity to trigger a clean shutdown of your node of which any clients such as Rocketpool will also shut down cleanly. You can go into your bios settings (F2 on startup) to enable the mini PC to reboot when power is redetected and Rocketpool will also automatically restart itself.
I followed this guide to setup a CyberPower UPS. On testing, it feelsd like absolute magic for the power to switch instantly over to the battery, trigger a shutdown at 35% capacity and then reboot on power being restored.
github.com/trevhub/guides/blob/main/CheapUPS.md
I didn't do this and have now been suffering for a couple of weeks trying to resync my node but it seems that the unclean shutdown has harmed my RAM or SSD. I havent got physical access at the moment so am unable to determine what exactly is the problem since I cant test it remotely (like memtest)
If you operate a node (or other devices) remotely via ssh then definitely check out tailscale. I was having issues sshing into my node at a new location and the guys in rocketpool discord advised me to try it.. It's great.
You simply install on all the devices you want to connect and then simply ssh toast[localhost:3000/u/ethnode](@ethnode%60) eg and thats it. done. very easy and secure personal network no matter where you and your devices are.
I'm now using this node with Frame/Rabby/Metamask to send my own transactions btw.
All you need to do is check 'Expose RPC Ports' option in the Rocketpool config and then add your device's local_IP_address:EC_http_port
Setting up an ETH node at home. Easy as shit tbh. Lemme summarise..
Hardware:
ASUS Mini PC PN51 with Ryzen 5700
2TB NVMe M.2 drive (Samsung 970 Pro Plus)
32gb stick RAM
Download Ubuntu and create bootable disk ..
itsfoss.com/create-live-usb-of-ubuntu-in-windows/
Plug in the Ubuntu USB stick, mouse/kb and screen and power up..
Ubuntu is automatically selected as a choice to install onto the PC.
Start up Ubuntu Open terminal and now follow Rocketpool fantastic guides to setup the node with everything you need..
docs.rocketpool.net/guides/node/docker.html#process-overview
Changing the game for the better. Thanks for your work dude!