Tronsmart Ara X5 was one of the first Intel Atom Cherry Trail mini PCs to launch on the market. It came with an Intel Atom x5-Z8300, and the now typical 2GB RAM combined with 32GB flash. But in my review of Tronsmart Ara X5, I found out that the flash was quite slower than other Windows mini PC I tested, and the USB 3.0 port would not recognize my 1TB Seagate USB 3.0 hard drive. The company has now introduced an upgraded model simply called Tronsmart Ara X5 Plus with a faster Samsung eMMC 5.0 flash, faster USB 3.0 read and write speeds (and hopefully better compatibility), 802.11ac WiFi support by replacing Ampak AP6330 module by Intel Wireless-AC 3160 and adding an external antenna, as well as fixed some micro SD card compatibility issues, and an updated UEFI binary that should reduce blue screen of death appearances in Windows.
The main specifications have not really changed however:
- SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 “Cherry Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.84 GHz) with Intel Gen8 HD graphics (2W SDP)
- System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L
- Storage – 32 GB Samsung eMMC 5.0 flash + micro SD slot
- Video Output – HDMI
- Audio I/O – HDMI, 3.5mm earphone jack
- Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, dual band 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0 (via Intel WiFi module)
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 3.0 port
- Misc – Power button and LED, RTC battery
- Power Supply – 5V/3A
- Dimensions – 11.81 x 11.4 x 2.7 cm
- Weight – 210 grams
As we’ve seen in Ara X5 teardown, the board had been designed with a baseboard and a CPU module, so they may have kept the same CPU module (only replacing Sandisk by Samsung eMMC), and updated the baseboard.
The mini PC still comes pre-loaded with Windows 10 Home (activated), and ships with the power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user’s manual.
The company appears to have deprecated Tronsmart Ara X5, as it’s not for sale anymore on GeekBuying, with the new model selling for $139.99 including shipping.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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