This Windows mini PC fits in my hand – and supports up to three 4K monitors

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Minix Z97 mini PC is on sale for $226.
• This tiny PC is a powerhouse that is well-suited for day by day use.
• Working demanding duties like native AI workloads places a pressure on its sources.

Think about having a PC that matches in your hand and performs effectively sufficient to get you thru the day (with energy to spare). Such computer systems exist, however not all of them are created equal.

I’ve examined loads of these tiny form-factor PCs, and loads of them is perhaps cute, however they lack any semblance of energy to do a lot. Others, just like the Piccolo N150 — an eight-inch gadget I recently reviewed — are helpful in particular contexts however aren’t for everybody. Due to this, any time I obtain one for overview, I am going into the overview course of with a grain of salt. 

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Think about my shock after I opened the palm-sized Minix Neo Z97 and realized my assumptions may very effectively be mistaken. 

Minix is an organization you may by no means have heard of, however they create numerous small form-factor {hardware}, similar to PCs, automotive touchscreens, transportable displays, chargers, and wi-fi shows. Minix’s merchandise typically impress and are supplied at reasonably priced costs. As an example, its new Z97 Mini PC sells for less than $226 on Amazon. 

Is it definitely worth the value? Let’s discover out.

My expertise

First off, the Neo Z97 shipped with Home windows 11, and I made a decision towards putting in Linux over it. Since Home windows 11 is a useful resource hog, I assumed it will be greatest to see how effectively the {hardware} dealt with the OS first. Positive, I might set up a Linux distribution on the PC, realizing it will vastly outperform Home windows, however this time round I needed to expertise the default.

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As with Home windows 11, the preliminary setup was time-consuming and inferior to any Linux distribution I’ve ever used. However this is not a debate about Linux vs. Home windows (as a result of you know where I stand on that); that is all concerning the PC itself.

As soon as the setup was accomplished, I ran the tiny PC by what could be my regular day by day routine, together with putting in LibreOffice, launching Ollama/Msty, looking the net, and watching movies on YouTube.

So far as on a regular basis duties go, the New Z97 carried out much better than I anticipated from such a tiny machine. LibreOffice opened shortly, modifying photos with GIMP was painless, web sites loaded as quick as they’d on my fundamental desktop PC, and YouTube movies and music on Spotify performed with out subject.

Essentially the most resource-intensive activity was Ollama/Msty (as a result of native AI can gobble up system sources), and it pushed the Z97 to its limits. To be truthful, Ollama/Msty pushes my System76 Thelio (an absolute beast of a pc), so I used to be under no circumstances stunned that this mini PC struggled a bit with the native AI. If the machine included a devoted GPU, that may not be the case, however, as is, it isn’t precisely designed for localized AI utilization.

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One factor that did shock me was how quiet the Z97 is. I did not hear the fan kick in as soon as (even throughout the preliminary improve of Home windows 11). It is utterly silent. I needed to maintain my ear as much as the gadget to lastly hear the fan whirring. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I notice the inclination for such small PCs tends to lean towards kiosks or desks with little or no room, however you would be mistaken for those who thought the Minix Neo Z97 ought to be restricted to such deployments. This tiny machine is highly effective sufficient for on a regular basis use. And for those who want a triple monitor setup, the Z97 has you lined, which suggests this little beast can do some critical work.

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Do not be fooled by its measurement; the Z97 can function your desktop laptop with ease and beauty. It won’t be essentially the most highly effective machine I’ve ever used (that might be my System76 Thelio), however it’s a far cry from the low finish, and at $226 on Amazon, it is a steal.

Minix Neo Z97 Mini PC tech specs

• CPU – Intel® Processor N97 (6MB cache, as much as 3.6 GHz)
• GPU – Intel® UHD Graphics
• Reminiscence – 12GB LPDDR5X-4800MHz (Onboard)
• Storage – 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVMe SSD
• Storage Slot – M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x 1 NVMe Slot.
• Ethernet Chipset – 2 x RJ-45 1G Ethernet
• Connectivity – M.2 2230 Intel® 802.11AX Twin Band WIFI 6 (2.4GHz/5GHz), BT5.2
• Ports – HDMI Port: 2 x HDMI2.1 TMDS 4K@60Hz, DP Port: 1 x DP1.4 4K@60Hz, 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Enter AC 100~240V, Output 12V 3A 36W Max, DC 2.5/5.5mm, 1 x Audio Output Combo Jack, and a pair of x RJ-45 1G Ethernet.
• OS – Home windows 11
• Measurement – 88×88×42mm
• Weight – 0.18kg