from network systems to productive devices
Miniature desktops are good for everyone. First, because they take up minimal space on your desktop. And here there is always little space, no matter how hard you try to rationally place everything. Secondly, versatility – there are different devices for different needs. And thirdly, low noise level. Many such systems are equipped with a passive cooling system, so they do not make noise at all. But even those that are cooled with coolers make almost no sounds, with a few exceptions.
In today’s selection – devices that you can buy. Most are available in the Russian Federation, thanks to the fact that they are sold on AliExpress. There are also those sold on Amazon. If such devices are of interest to you, then I ask under cat.
GMK NucBox 10
This is a PC based on the Ryzen 7 5800U, which can be called productive. Its size is 4.9″ x 4.4″ x 1.5″. The system supports up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, plus there is a slot for installing four M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 drives at once with up to 2 TB of memory.
The motherboard is equipped with an 8-core Ryzen 7 5800U processor. The system ships with 16GB of RAM and a 512TB SSD. Installed and OS is Windows 11 Pro. The wireless module supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. Ports and connectors:
- 1x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support)
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
- 1 x micro SD
- 1 x DC
The cost of the device is $599. It was available for pre-order at a price of $510, but now the device has already been shipped to stores, so the price is slightly higher. If you need a productive and small system, then the GMK NucBox 10 is just what you need.
Beelink SER6
The Beelink SER6 model is a 5″ x 4.5″ x 1.7″ mini PC based on the Ryzen 5 6600H processor. Another powerful system in a very small size. There is also a more advanced version with a Ryzen 7 6800H processor and a metal rather than a plastic case. It is called Beelink SER6 Pro. The models are priced at $549 and $649 respectively. But you can buy for $100 cheaper if you take a device without RAM and disks.
On Amazon, the gadget is sold with 32 GB of RAM and 500 GB of SSD for $699.
AMD Ryzen 5 6600H is a 6-core processor with up to 4.5GHz core clock and 6-core Radeon 660M graphics. The Ryzen 7 6800H is a 4.7GHz octa-core processor with Radeon 680M graphics.
Both versions of the device come with the same amount of disk space – 500 GB and from 16 to 32 GB of RAM. Supports up to 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB drives. These devices are equipped with an active cooling system. The surface is perforated, due to which air circulation occurs.
Ports and connectors:
- 2 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- 1 x USB4
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 TYPE-A
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
- 1 x DC
The wireless communication module is compatible with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. Both systems are a good workhorse for both the office and the home.
Topton TP-X4F
Here we have a network system based on Ryzen 5000U. Network – because the mini-PC is equipped with four 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports at once. You can use it as a file storage, media server, router, hardware firewall. But if all this is not required, then you can use it as a regular desktop. Supports the device immediately 64 GB of RAM.
Its cost is not so high and is $346, you can buy it on Aliexpress. As for the price, it is relevant for the version without disk and op amp. There is also an option with Ryzen 7 5800U 64 GB and 2 TB drive. Of course, in this case, the device will cost more.
You can place a lot of drives and disks – five at once:
- 2 x M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSDs (M.2 2232 to 2280 adapter)
- 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
- 1 x 2.5 inch SATA 3 SSD
- 1 x external 2.5″ SATA 3 SSD
Ports and connectors:
- 4 x Intel i226-V 2.5GbE Ethernet
- 1 x USB Type-C
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x Display Port 1.4
- 2 x USB 3.1 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x microSD
- 1 x DC
The body of the device is aluminum. Cooling is active, for this two coolers are used at once. By the way, it comes without a wireless module, but you can install it yourself by sacrificing one of the M.2 2232 slots. If you want to purchase a device ready for use in a wireless network, you will need to pay $10 extra for a module with WiFi 5 support and $30 for a module with WiFi 6 support.
Size – 6.6″ x 4.7″ x 2.4″. The device supports a variety of operating systems, including OPNsense, pfSense Plus, OpenWrt, Proxmox, PVE, ESXi, and CentOS.
iKOOLCORE R1 2.9
Another mini-PC, sharpened to work as a network device. It is equipped, like the previous device, with 4 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, so the application is similar. But its size is smaller than
Topton TP-X4F, making it possible to carry a mini PC even in your pocket. It takes up nothing on the desktop.
It is based on the Intel Celeron N5105 or Pentium Silver N6005 processor. There is an HDMI 2.0 port with 4K/60Hz image support, plus a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and a card reader.
An M.2 2242 slot is provided for installing a solid state drive. It comes in two versions – with 8 GB of RAM and 16 GB.
The cooling system is active, but there is almost no noise, at least according to the manufacturer. You can install different OS, including both disk and memory card. The cost starts from $145. The device is already on sale in China.
GXMO U58
And another device is the GXMO U58 model, which supports 3 displays simultaneously. The gadget is sold on AliExpress at a price of $537 and above. Processor – AMD Ryzen 7 5800U. The system comes with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. If necessary, you can install another hard drive or SSD.
Well, with the help of 2 HDMI ports and USB-C sweat, you can connect 3 monitors at once, as mentioned above. Ports and connectors:
- 2 x HDMI
- 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C
- 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
- 1 x DC
The size of the device is 5″ x 4.5″ x 1.6″. A wireless module with support for WiFI 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 is also installed
