FutureBit has launched its Apollo III Full Node Bitcoin miner in four Micro Center stores, marking the first time customers can purchase the device in a physical retail location. This move allows individuals to buy a Bitcoin miner and full node directly from a store shelf, rather than ordering online, according to Bitcoin Magazine.
Key takeaways
- FutureBit's Apollo III Full Node Bitcoin miner is now available in four Micro Center stores in Brooklyn, Miami, Tustin, California, and Austin, Texas.
- This is the first time FutureBit's miners are sold in a brick-and-mortar store, allowing same-day purchase and in-person inquiries.
- The Apollo III Full Node model, which runs a full Bitcoin node, is priced at $1,099.99 without storage, up to $1,399.99 with 2 terabytes of SSD storage.
- The device offers up to 18 terahashes per second (TH/s) in Turbo mode at 325 watts and includes features for solo mining or pointing to a standard mining pool.
- Home mining with devices like the Apollo III is primarily intended for contributing to the Bitcoin network and learning, rather than for competing with industrial mining operations on profitability.
FutureBit Expands Retail Availability
FutureBit, a Brooklyn-based company, has made its Apollo III Full Node available for direct purchase at select Micro Center stores. The initial launch includes locations in Brooklyn, New York; Miami, Florida; Tustin, California; and Austin, Texas. This retail expansion coincides with the grand opening of Micro Center's new Austin store, its 31st U.S. location. Customers can also reserve units online for in-store pickup, offering flexibility for buyers.
Previously, North American customers had to order the Apollo III directly from FutureBit's website, with units typically shipping within two to three days. The availability in a computer store allows potential buyers to examine the hardware, ask questions about its functionality, and take the device home on the same day. John Stefanopoulos, founder of FutureBit, noted the significance of this step, recalling the company's origins in purchasing parts from Micro Center.
Apollo III: Features and Specifications
The Apollo III Full Node is a compact device, measuring 6.5 by 6.5 by 6 inches and weighing 6.5 pounds. It is assembled in the United States and comes with a one-year limited warranty. The unit utilizes new 3-nanometer chips designed in America, a custom controller, and 8 GB of memory. It also features a built-in solo mining pool, though buyers can direct the miner to any standard Bitcoin mining pool.
FutureBit's website lists the Apollo III Full Node at $1,099.99 without a storage drive. Configurations with 1 terabyte of SSD storage are priced at $1,299.99, and those with 2 terabytes cost $1,399.99. A cheaper, miner-only "Standard" model, which does not include the full node functionality, starts at $899.99. The full node and solo-mining features require an SSD, which is not included in the base configuration.
Performance and Power Consumption
The Apollo III Full Node offers varying performance modes to balance hash rate, power consumption, and noise levels. In its Turbo mode, the device is rated for up to 18 terahashes per second (TH/s) at approximately 325 watts. This mode generates about 55 decibels of noise. For quieter operation, the Eco mode provides about 12 TH/s at 150 watts, with noise levels under 35 decibels.
A Super Eco mode is also available, delivering around 8 TH/s at 80 watts. The power consumption can be adjusted across a range of 50 to 400 watts. FutureBit states that these power figures are measured at the board and may vary by up to 10%. These specifications highlight the device's flexibility for home users who may prioritize different operational characteristics.
Home Mining: Beyond Profitability
FutureBit has consistently emphasized that its home mining hardware, including the Apollo III, is not designed to compete with large-scale industrial mining operations on cost or profitability. Instead, the primary purpose is to enable individuals to run both a Bitcoin miner and a full node at home, contributing to the network's decentralization and security. A single Apollo III operating at 18 TH/s represents a small fraction of the overall Bitcoin network hash rate. Bitcoin Magazine previously noted that the expected time to mine a solo block with such a setup, given current difficulty levels, could be measured in centuries.
Despite these odds, a FutureBit Apollo Solo user successfully found block 973,262 on October 26, collecting the full 3.154 Bitcoin reward. This rare event underscores the lottery-like nature of solo home mining. John Stefanopoulos views store shelves as a means to increase the number of active hash rate contributors and full nodes within individual households, fostering a more distributed network.
What This Means for Bitcoin Holders
The retail availability of the FutureBit Apollo III Full Node offers a more accessible entry point for individuals interested in participating in Bitcoin's network infrastructure. For curious newcomers, being able to see and purchase a miner in a physical store can demystify the process of running a full node and contributing hash rate. Running a full node is crucial for network decentralization, as it independently validates all transactions and blocks, enforcing Bitcoin's rules without relying on third parties. This enhances the security and censorship resistance of the network.
While home mining is unlikely to be a significant profit driver for most, it provides an educational opportunity to understand how Bitcoin works at a fundamental level. It also allows holders to support the network directly by adding to its total hash rate and increasing the number of independently verifying nodes. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of empowering individual users in the Bitcoin ecosystem, moving beyond simply holding Bitcoin to actively participating in its operation and security.