I understand liking fanless minis, and I've liked a couple of others, and I was willing to accept the limitations based on it being fanless. But eMMC, and for the OS? I can see this being handy if you need to carry it in your pocket for low-demand uses but the temps make me wonder how well this would hold up under stressful loads. Still, interesting to see what's on offer and how it performs.
Thanks for the review! I've been waiting for this one. I'm really happy that his model appeared on the market - looks almost like the MiniPC from my dreams ;) USB C with power delivery and display option, fanless, good looking, with VESA mount (to put it behind the monitor), only power button on the front, with no cables sticking out, and the nvme drive can be put in it. Performance is OK, temperatures not so much, unfortunatelly, but this could be expected. eMMC can be even disabled if someone wants to run OS from the nvme drive. Good that the BIOS has some options available, not like the Chuwi LarkBox X 2023, for instance. What do you think @Robtech, would you choose it over Neosmay AC8-N? Did you observe any throttling?
The AC8-N is a very different mini PC since it doesn't have a lot of the features like USB PD, so if that appeals to you there's not much choice really. I have another fanless N100 video coming up, will see how that one fares. Depending on the BIOS settings, they start throttling from 85-95C. They both reported throttling at the 30W limit.
I get it, thank you for your answer. Maybe setting limits to 25W will help in finding the perfect spot between performance and temperatures/throttling. New video about fanless MiniPC ... perfect :)
Coil whine? Some Quieter 4C users report issues with coil whine when the unit was used and later powered off. Could you please check if you hear anything similar before you send this unit back? Thanks in advance!
I (thought) I didn't experience this during the week or so I used it on and off. I double checked since I read your post just to make sure. And there is coil whine, low on my mini though. I had to put my pretty close to hear it. Also, with further testing it doesn't happen every time 🤔
Mine was actually quite difficult to open, so I found your video and it certainly wasn't "just pop open the lid" :). I think because there's another sliver of that (disturbingly flesh-coloured) thermal pads on the heatsink section.
As we see latest handhelds Asus Rog Ally or Lenovo legion go Both Power by Ryzen z1 extreme Can any mini pc will comes with same processor I wish a mini console pocket size body😅
There are reports the MeLe throttles quite a bit compared to the Neosmay or other variants with larger heatsinks, do you have the same experience as well?
I'm curious as to why nobody is putting out mini PCs with the n97 processor. Neither Aliexpress or Amazon offer anything with that cpu. Any thoughts on this?
I'm assuming yields aren't great for the N97 and there aren't many available, since it came very late to the table. Lilliputing mentions a few options here: liliputing.com/mini-pcs-with-12-watt-intel-n97-alder-lake-n-chips-now-available-for-around-200-or-less/
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what this video was about before I opened it. The fanless mini PCs have gone a long way since the last one I owned years ago.
@@dlewis9760 Fair enough. I used to use a 4K as a secondary monitor from 2015 to 2019, but I packed it and have it staying in the living room in its box. Too big (40 inch monitor) and I just can't keep up with having to have the right GPU to keep gaming on it on native.
I bought a fanless Bmax B1 to play some older classics. Unfortunately there is not enough cooling on this thing. UT2004 starts up smoothly but after some minutes the CPU reaches almost 80 degrees Celsius, and throttling begins. The game becomes choppy.
The Chuwi Larkbox X should also support it, although I couldn't test the combined function as I don't have a compatible monitor. I did test that it outputs to a display and also that it can be powered via USB-C separately.
Dont buy this for emulation. I tried to play some NES games via Retroarch and the performance is horrid, even the audio is all jacked up. My biggest purchase regret in years.
There's an error in the game section. GTA V is running at 720P, not 1080P as labelled.
I'm a fanless PC fan.
If you're the fan of a fanless PC, is it still fanless? Hmmmm...
Watched this with earbuds in - That would whistle freaked me out!
😂
Incredible psychoacoustics 0:53
I understand liking fanless minis, and I've liked a couple of others, and I was willing to accept the limitations based on it being fanless. But eMMC, and for the OS? I can see this being handy if you need to carry it in your pocket for low-demand uses but the temps make me wonder how well this would hold up under stressful loads. Still, interesting to see what's on offer and how it performs.
Thanks for the review! I've been waiting for this one.
I'm really happy that his model appeared on the market - looks almost like the MiniPC from my dreams ;)
USB C with power delivery and display option, fanless, good looking, with VESA mount (to put it behind the monitor), only power button on the front, with no cables sticking out, and the nvme drive can be put in it.
Performance is OK, temperatures not so much, unfortunatelly, but this could be expected. eMMC can be even disabled if someone wants to run OS from the nvme drive. Good that the BIOS has some options available, not like the Chuwi LarkBox X 2023, for instance.
What do you think @Robtech, would you choose it over Neosmay AC8-N? Did you observe any throttling?
The AC8-N is a very different mini PC since it doesn't have a lot of the features like USB PD, so if that appeals to you there's not much choice really. I have another fanless N100 video coming up, will see how that one fares. Depending on the BIOS settings, they start throttling from 85-95C. They both reported throttling at the 30W limit.
I get it, thank you for your answer. Maybe setting limits to 25W will help in finding the perfect spot between performance and temperatures/throttling. New video about fanless MiniPC ... perfect :)
Coil whine? Some Quieter 4C users report issues with coil whine when the unit was used and later powered off. Could you please check if you hear anything similar before you send this unit back? Thanks in advance!
I (thought) I didn't experience this during the week or so I used it on and off. I double checked since I read your post just to make sure. And there is coil whine, low on my mini though. I had to put my pretty close to hear it. Also, with further testing it doesn't happen every time 🤔
Thanks for checking it!@@Robtech
Mine was actually quite difficult to open, so I found your video and it certainly wasn't "just pop open the lid" :). I think because there's another sliver of that (disturbingly flesh-coloured) thermal pads on the heatsink section.
I bought one. I wish there was an active fan mod for it.
Quick turnaround since the short. Thank you
Awesome review, been waiting for this one
I would like to see a review of the 3C or 4C series overclock, this one is a bit bigger with fan but allows you to upgrade the components
Is there a BIOS option to turn it back on after a power loss? or to specify a wake up time?
I bought a used 3c a few days ago and put a headsink with a Rubber band on it. Works fine.
what's a headsink? stone and rope?
Heatsink (Kühlkörper). Aluminium. ;-)
As we see latest handhelds Asus Rog Ally or Lenovo legion go
Both Power by Ryzen z1 extreme
Can any mini pc will comes with same processor
I wish a mini console pocket size body😅
What is the difference in performance between eMMC and NVMe SSD? Thanks for the video!!
th-cam.com/video/56VG5RqF5tQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=aHwngHSOvmapxwg2&t=363
Their are aluminum heat dissipation blocks with fins. That sit on top of this model. Works great to remove the heat. On Amaz0n.
If this had the AirJet like they promised last year I'd buy it.
When and where did Mele promise this? I know about the air jet (and would love it) but never saw Mele promise it…
There are reports the MeLe throttles quite a bit compared to the Neosmay or other variants with larger heatsinks, do you have the same experience as well?
That's what the benchmarks show, yes.
Asus have also released a fanless N200 PN42, so manufacturers are testing the water. A bigger, slower fan would be a lot easier to implement though.
testing the water...
you realize this is not the first generation of these mini pc from Mele, right? you can see it in the model name even...
Can any mini pc be like chuwi larkbox mini small box with Intel n305 processor 8c/8t 12gb ddr5 ram 1tb SSD
😮
iKoolcore R2
Only N305 mini I've reviewed so far is the EQ12 Pro th-cam.com/video/VqiG1nAxzMA/w-d-xo.html
I'm curious as to why nobody is putting out mini PCs with the n97 processor. Neither Aliexpress or Amazon offer anything with that cpu. Any thoughts on this?
I'm assuming yields aren't great for the N97 and there aren't many available, since it came very late to the table. Lilliputing mentions a few options here: liliputing.com/mini-pcs-with-12-watt-intel-n97-alder-lake-n-chips-now-available-for-around-200-or-less/
Would this work well with a nextdock?
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what this video was about before I opened it.
The fanless mini PCs have gone a long way since the last one I owned years ago.
@@dlewis9760 Fair enough. I used to use a 4K as a secondary monitor from 2015 to 2019, but I packed it and have it staying in the living room in its box. Too big (40 inch monitor) and I just can't keep up with having to have the right GPU to keep gaming on it on native.
Hello. Can I use it with powerbank? Which mAh or watt powerbank should I use?
Yes you can. It requires 12V and 2A.
Put a bag of water on it. That's what I did with my old MeLee.
Hi, is there a way to reinstall WIndows and boot from SSD on this one?
You could clone windows over with something like Macrium Reflect Free version. Then format the emmc. Not sure if the Windows license will transfer.
Would games like Unreal tournament 2004, Quake 3 arena etc. reach 60 fps at 1080p max settings, on fanless mini pc using the intel N100?
I've got another fanless N100 mini PC review coming soon, so I'll test both games there for you.
@@Robtech Thank you!
I bought a fanless Bmax B1 to play some older classics. Unfortunately there is not enough cooling on this thing. UT2004 starts up smoothly but after some minutes the CPU reaches almost 80 degrees Celsius, and throttling begins. The game becomes choppy.
It's hard to say how long will it last with such high temps.
Indeed. CPU should be fine, not sure about the other components.
is it the only one n100 pc that has usb-c pd and dp alt mode ?
The Chuwi Larkbox X should also support it, although I couldn't test the combined function as I don't have a compatible monitor. I did test that it outputs to a display and also that it can be powered via USB-C separately.
@@Robtech Thank you, but i think i've found the cheapest option -> chatreey t9 supports usb-c pd and alt mode
Nice. I'm actually reviewing the T9 soon. It's in the review pile 😂
Why does 4c have WiFi 5 but 3c has WiFi 6
Your list of mini pc's gets longer and longer. I wonder what the next generation of them will be like
Next gen budget still a ways out, but new Intel and AMD mid to high end CPUs incoming as early as next month. Busy time ahead 😅
I like the Blackview MP80 N97 way more at ~$190 off Amazon.
32 gb ram
What about Android? It can be a good candidate for TV.
Doesn't run Android natively. You'd need to use something like Kodi.
@@Robtech It looks like I have to look for something as Raspberry Pi.
Dont buy this for emulation. I tried to play some NES games via Retroarch and the performance is horrid, even the audio is all jacked up. My biggest purchase regret in years.
Try a different emulator. There's no way it can't handle NES emulation.
and aren't you ashamed?
why should he be?