Mini PC

An Intel Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Extreme powered by a Tiger Lake-U CPU and the GTX 1660 Ti has made its appearance on the 3DMark Time Spy database. The CPU score and clock speeds indicate that this NUC 11 Extreme engineering sample could be powered by a 28 W Core i5 Tiger Lake-U part. The Phantom Canyon NUC 11 is also expected to available in an RTX 2070 Super Max-Q configuration.

HP has announced its 2020 commercial desktop lines. It consists of 400- and 600 G6-series mini-PCs, small form-factors, microtowers and all-in-ones (AiO). They boast advantages such as military-grade durability, up to 10th generation Intel Core i7 processors and user-upgradable memory.

Unlike the GPD Win Max models that come with Intel Ice Lake CPUs, One-Netbook's One-GX1 mini laptops are supposed to be powered by Tiger Lake-Y CPUs, but these chips do not have a clear release date as of now, so, even though the One-GX1 is scheduled to go up for pre-orders on May 30, we might not get to see it in action until late Q3 at best.

A new and ultra-compact mini PC combines two Ethernet connections, four DisplayPorts, eight USB ports and a quad-core AMD Ryzen Embedded V16505B processor. The mini-PC can be configured with up to 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB M.2 SSD.

Gole Technology has introduced the Gole11 all-in-one PC, which is also known as the HiGole F11APL. According to the company, the Gole11 is “the world’s cheapest all-in-one”, and it features an Intel Celeron N3450 processor and an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a 1920x1080 resolution. The device has been offered for as little as US$99 to early-bird crowdfunding backers.

MSI is updating the high-end Trident X lineup of slim gaming desktops with CPU options like the i7-10700K(F) and i9-10900K. Users can also choose among RTX 2070 Super and RTX 2080 Ti GPUs, 32 and 64 GB of RAM and may opt for a 1 TB NVMe SSD or an 1 TB NVMe SSD + 1 TB HDD combo storage solution. Other noteworthy features include 2.5 GbE + Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 3.

The roadmap leaked by a trusted source close to GamersNexus shows how AMD may skip 2021 entirely and launch the Zen 4 desktop CPUs along with the Zen 3 APUs in 2022 with support for DDR5 RAM and USB 4.0, citing the current uncertain economic climate brought upon by the global pandemic.

With an estimated price of only US$185, the NANOTE mini laptop offers modest specs like an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core CPU, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage. Unlike the more expensive models from GPD and One-netbook, however, the NANOTE comes in a convertible form-factor with a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen.

Unlike GPD's Win Max mini laptop, the OneGX1 from One-Netbook is a bit more compact since it does not integrate game controller buttons, but it may also prove a bit faster as it is supposed to integrate Intel's Tiger Lake CPUs. The design appears inspired by Dell's Alienware Area-51m, and this is also said to be the first mini laptop to offer 5G support.

The CPU and GPU clocks appear to be quite low compared to mobility models like the Ryzen 7 4700U, but the "Artic" chip proves to be faster, at least in CPU-related tests, and the DDR4-3200 support certainly helped. On the iGPU side, however, the performance is not that great, as it turned out to be slower than a Vega 6 model.

Aimed at those who need an ultra-compact mini-PC with some computing power, Eglobal is offering its units with up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, a 2 TB SSD and a Core i7-10710U processor. Others configurations with different Core i7 processors are available, too.

First teased last month, the GPD Win Max handheld gaming PC is now official. The device is a remarkable hybrid of laptop and hand-held gaming console rolled into one with some pretty decent specs to back it up.

There have been a lot of unexpected side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and we can add another to the list. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has revealed that March saw its second highest number of sales since it launched in 2012.

Microsoft’s next major update to Windows 10 will land in May. The new update brings some useful features to users including Cloud reset as well as the much anticipated DirectX 12 Ultimate with improved raytracing support.

The first Ryzen 3000 Picasso APUs have just been added to mini PC offerings from ASRock and Zotac and it may take up to one year for the freshly released Ryzen 4000 Renoir processors to make it into small form-factor PCs. Prominent OEMs like Dell, Asus and MSI do not even offer any AMD-based mini PCs.

With the B13 and B16, Partaker has created two particularly compact PCs based on Intel Core processors. Specifically, the devices are available with Core i5 and Core i7 processors, which should offer good performance at a competitive price.

The first DDR5 modules will be aimed at the server market, with consumer variants expected to hit the market in late 2021. Initial frequencies will be limited to 4,800 MHz, but, as the technology matures, frequencies will be hitting 6,400 MHz and even 8,400 MHz, while densities could reach 64 GB per single DIMM.

After being left in the lurch for nearly 12 months, owners of the ill-fated Intel Kaby Lake-G platform finally get some respite not from Intel but from AMD. AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 drivers can now be used to update Kaby Lake-G graphics drivers. At last, Kaby Lake-G owners can now have access to day 0 game support and critical bug fixes, which they have been deprived of all these months.

Amid all the fuss surrounding the launch of the new iPad Pro range and MacBook Air, Apple also gave the Mac mini a surprise boost. Although the CPUs and RAM configurations remain the same, it has doubled the standard storage at no additional cost (at least in the US).

Purism has launched its Librem Mini small form-factor mini PC, with preorders for the device now being taken. The tiny computer comes with a Whiskey Lake Intel Core i7-8565U processor and can be configured with up to 64 GB RAM. PureOS is offered as the operating system, with PureBoot and Librem Key support included for extra privacy and security.

The GHF51 from DFI is a new single-board computer powered by a Ryzen Embedded R1000 APU. Boasting a 12 Watt TDP and integrated Vega graphics, the GHF51 will likely be scores more powerful than the similarly-sized Raspberry Pi. All that power will likely come at a cost, though.

The A9-9820 APU with Radeon R7 350 iGPU is probably not based on the Zen architecture since it only supports DDR3 memory. The test results provided by Chuwi speak for themselves, although the OEM claims that there should be enough processing power for current AAA games and 4K video editing.

The French manufacturer Linutop has presented several new PC systems. Based on a Raspberry Pi 4 or an Intel Atom x5-Z8350, the Linutop XS3 and Linutop 6 should suit those looking for a new all-in-one mini PC. All run Linutop OS, a Xubuntu or Raspbian-based OS.

Leaked by FanlessTech earlier this year, a new internal roadmap has confirmed that Phantom Canyon and Panther Canyon NUCs, also known as NUC 11 Performance and NUC 11 Extreme respectively, will arrive later this year. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 may have delayed their release. The NUC 9 Extreme appears to be sticking around until at least 2021, too.

The dual-core / dual-thread R1102G and dual-core / quad-thread R1305G CPU models are 14 nm chips based on the original Zen architecture featuring the lowest TDPs in AMD's Ryzen Embedded roster. These will be featured in Simply NUC's new Red Oak and Post Oak mini PC systems along with Sapphire's latest NUC motherboards.

The new Zbox Pro CA622 nano is an industrial-grade embedded mini PC with a fanless case. This barebones solution includes a Ryzen R1505G dual-core CPU with 15 W TDP and support for up to 32 GB of RAM. There also is a more expensive QC7T3000 version with an actively cooled case integrating an Intel Core i7-9750H and a professional Quadro RTX 3000 GPU.

The Kaleido concept mini PC is not really that small, but it sure packs everything you need from a computer. First of all, you do not need a display, since the elongated prism-shaped device integrates a projector, plus it also comes with a foldable keyboard and a sound bar.

The upcoming KaiXian KX-6780A octa-core CPUs should be launched this March, but they will only be available as part of pre-built budget gaming systems, as the chips themselves are soldered and require special motherboards. Preliminary performance tests prove that the Chinese CPUs still lag behind Intel's i5-7400 models.

2019 brought the highest revenues in six years for AMD and the red team expects increased 7 nm CPU adoption for 2020 together with increased demand for custom embedded solutions via the release of the next gen consoles. CEO Lisa Su confirmed that the RDNA architecture is getting a refresh and the second half of 2020 should also bring new data center GPUs.

The official AMD site does not provide exact specs for the new Pro 500 chipsets, but it looks like Lenovo already plans to release some IdeaCentre ThinkCentre models that integrate a Pro 560 chipset. According to the Lenovo spec sheet, the Pro 560 chipset appears to support up to 32 GB DDR4-2666 RAM and is only compatible with the PCIe 3.0 standard.

Chuwi may be best-known for its Microsoft Surface clones; however, it has decided that it will also do HTPCs now. This Herobox has a Gemini Lake chipset with the Intel UHD Graphics 600 necessary for 4K video playback. It also has 8GB of RAM, a 180GB SSD and it runs Windows 10.

Comet Lake is the code-name for a possibly imminent series of upcoming Intel CPUs. Accord to some leaks, they will then be followed by Rocket Lake. A leaker claims to have uncovered a reference to a new ATX motherboard that may pertain to some of these chipsets.

The latest PN62 models come equipped with business-grade features like optional Thunderbolt 3 ports and WiFi6 connectivity. Powered by Intel's Comet Lake CPUs up to the i7-10710U hexa-core, the slightly bulkier devices also support up to 64 GB DDR4-2666 RAM and up to 1.5 TB of HDD + SSD storage combos.

For only $15 you get a compact mini PC powered by a quad-core Amlogic S905W ARM-based processor that can handle 4K HDR decoding, which is coupled with 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and 8 GB storage. The package also includes an HDMI cable and a dedicated remote control, recommending this device as the most affordable streaming system.

ASRock has a new mini-PC board ready to go. As it appears to be designed for the Intel Pentium Silver J5040 chipset, it may be pitched at the lower end of this market. It can drive up to 3 displays and has an HDMI port that supports 4K at 60 fps, but no USB type-C ports.

According to a new leak, Intel has a replacement for the NUC 10 Performance mini-PCs in the works. It apparently goes under the heretofore-unknown code-name Panther Canyon, and will be powered by Tiger Lake-U processors with Xe graphics. This new rumor also covers the "NUC 11 Extreme" line, also known as Phantom Canyon.

Once, long ago, Blu-ray was touted as the gold standard in media playback. Now, however, it has sunk into obscurity among a world's worth of streaming services compatible with high-res displays. The format's market value is now thought to fall considerably until 2025.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n-1 Nano IoT is a rugged but silent mini PC suited for IT deployments and enterprise use. Unfortunately, the little desktop's performance suffers under load, primarily because of thermal throttling.

Zotac is the latest company to join AMD's mini PC initiative. For now, there is only a ZBOX Nano barebones model that is powered by the Ryzen 3 3200U APU with integrated Vega 3 graphics and support for up to 32 GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, but models powered by the new Ryzen 4000 APUs are also expected to launch later this year.

The Smarter Camera platform is an AI-powered solution for the future of industries such as security, logistics and retail. It has been developed by the company AnyConnect, which has just announced a partnership with Asus to deliver it to the market. This will be done using the Taiwanese OEM's Tinker Edge hardware.

Surprisingly enough, Samsung was not among the first companies to introduce the PCIe 4.0 standard for its popular 900-series NVMe SSDs last year. However, this year, with the announcement of the 980 Pro models, the South Korean giant finally acknowledges the real market demand for speedier storage solutions.

If current top-of-the-line PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs reach peak sequential read/write speeds of around 3,500 MB/s do not cut it for you, maybe save up for the upcoming XPG Sage from Adata that promises to deliver double the performance, at least for read speeds. The included Innogrit Rainier controller is also the first to break the 1 million mark for sequential write IOPs.

Intel teased about the upcoming 10th gen Comet Lake-H CPUs at CES 2020 but did not divulge many details. Intel also showed off the Ghost Canyon NUC that will bring support for Core i9 H-series and discrete GPUs. Intel's early sneak peek points to the company being wary of AMD's announcements tomorrow.

PoE Texas has announced the GBT-NUC, a new type of lid for certain Intel mini PCs that enables them to access power and data through just 1 Ethernet cable. Therefore, the devices can function independently of a conventional wall-plug, and may make them into more versatile office computers, display controllers or media-centers.

AZIO has a new RGB mechanical keyboard up for crowdfunding on Indiegogo. This one has a less retro appearance, yet is still touted to be high-end in terms of its materials and build quality. It also has the OEM's new FOKAL spinning control, which can be used for a variety of sliding-value options and also acts as a 360-degree joystick.

Magewell is a company that makes the components that connect video and audio output with the applicable software. Its latest M.2 video capture card is of its 'Eco' line-up, and is capable of single-channel operation at up to 4096x2160 at 60 frames per second over 12G-SDI. It will be launched in 2020 at the ISE exhibition.

AMD wants to build a mini PC ecosystem around its embedded R1000 and V1000 CPUs, but some OEMs like Maxtang want to offer more performance through laptop-grade CPU implementation. In spite of the more powerful Ryzen 5 2500U CPU, the Maxtang VHFP30 comes in a slim fanless case that can accommodate up to 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, up to a 512 GB SSD plus a 2.5-inch HDD.

The list of partners who are already offering Ryzen-powered mini PCs include ASRock, Simply NUC, EEPD, OnLogic and Tranquil PC, with more OEMs expected to join throughout 2020. For now, the mini PCs are powered by the R1000 and V1000 embedded CPUs based on the Zen+ microarchitecture, but AMD plans to release improved 7 nm CPUs with Navi iGPUs next year.