Last month, I wrote about MeLE PCG35 Apo mini PC based on Intel Celeron J3455 “Apollo Lake” processor. It has started to sell for $179 this week, but there’s now a cheaper option with similar specifications thanks to Unistorm AK1 mini PC going for $158.30 instead.
Unistorm AK1 mini PC specifications with highlights in bold or stricken-through showing differences with PCG35 Apo:
- SoC – Intel Celeron J3455 quad core “Apollo Lake” processor @ 1.50 / 2.30 GHz with a 12 EU Intel HD Graphics 500 @ 250/750 MHz (10W TDP)
- System Memory – 4GB LPDDR3
- Storage – 32GB eMMC flash, 1x 2.5″ SATA HDD slot, 1x mSATA SSD slot, 1x micro SD slot
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4 up to 4K @ 30 Hz,
and VGA - Audio – Via HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, dual band 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 port, 1x USB Type-C port
- Misc – Power button, Kensington Lock, VESA mount support
- Power Supply – 12V / 2A
- Dimensions – 128 x 128 x 37 mm (vs 198 x 125 x 39.50 mm)
- Weight – 230 grams (vs ~1 kg)
The main differences in terms of ports are that HDMI is limited to 4K @ 30 Hz (no HDMI 2.0), the VGA port is gone, and instead of three USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 2.0 port, AK1 comes with a pair of both. The mini PC does not appear to ship with a VESA mount.
MeLE PCG35 Apo case is also made of metal, while Unistorm AK1 uses a plastic enclosure, so it’s much lighter, but it may not cool as well. Speaking about cooling, it’s clear whether the device includes a fan, or is passively cooled like the MeLE mini PC, but at least the company designed the case with plenty of ventilation around the top edges. The picture also shows colored LEDs inside AK1, sometimes blue, sometimes orange, and there not indicated whether this can be disabled. Maybe in the BIOS? The mini PC is said to be pre-loaded with an activated version of Windows 10.
[Update: This mini PC looks very similar to ACEPC AK1, and based in the description on Amazon US, the mini PC is designed with a fan.
Unboxing video shows more details about the modular 2.5″ SATA bay, and that model does include a VESA mount:
]
Via AndroidPC.es
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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Hmmm… HP might take issue with that design, their Elite Slice looks very, very similar.
http://store.hp.com/wcsstore/hpusstore/Treatment/HP_Elite_Slice_q4_fy16_Gallery_zoom2.jpg
Also, does this thing have an expansion port for “slices” in the bottom too? It sure looks like it.
Mele have full metal case?
I like the option of MSATA and M.2 slots for expansion but why oh why are they using eMMC as the primary boot source, that will I think also likely be tied to the Windows product key, so no moving it to a much faster MSATA or M.2 drive.
@TLS
Yeah, that’s a copycat of HP Elite Slice. I’ve added an unboxing video (not mine), and it leaves no doubt.
Answers from Aliexpress: