Over around five years ago, it was relatively easy to find entry-level Intel mini PCs or PC sticks for less than $100, but in recent years, it’s been more of a challenge to purchase cheap Intel mini PCs unless when going the second-hand route.
But there’s now a “DeskMini” mini PC selling for $77 (with a $12 coupon) on Amazon with the system being powered by an Intel Celeron N3350 Apollo Lake processor and coming with 4GB RAM and a 64GB eMMC flash preloaded with Windows 10.
DeskMini specifications:
- SoC – Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor @ 1.1 GHz / 2.4 GHz with 12 EU Intel HD Graphics 500 @ 200 MHz / 650 MHz; 6W TDP
- System Memory – 4GB DDR4
- Storage
- 64GB eMMC flash
- M.2 2242 socket for SATA SSD
- Full-size SD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI 1.4 port up to 4Kp30, VGA port; dual independent display support
- Audio – 3.5mm headphone+microphone jack, digital audio via HDMI
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
- Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2
- USB – 3x USB 3.0 ports
- Misc – Power button, Reset pinhole
- Power Supply – 12V DC via power barrel
- Dimensions – 12 x 12 x 2.8 cm
- Weight – 250 grams
I would not recommend such a system to people wanting to use it as a desktop computer, even to check emails and/or browse the web, as it will feel sluggish to most people and it has various limitations with memory and storage, but I could see it being used as an inexpensive HTPC or a Smart Home gateway running Home Assistant potentially with some extra wireless dongles for Zigbee or Z-Wave.
If you’d like something a little more powerful, or the Celeron N3350 mini PC gets out of stock, the Amazon seller (COOFUN) also sells a Celeron N4000 dual-core Gemini Lake for $87 (after ticking for a $12 coupon).
Via FanlessTech
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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Quite decent RAM and storage for the price! Earlier it would have become my backup server. Plug a USB3 HDD to it and you’re done!
I wonder if I could squeeze this in a Mac Mini late 2012 with dvd-drive, to replace the original motherboard. I was thinking to do that with a arm sbc, but a intel processor is just easier to work with (and in this case also cheaper…)
At the very least it could be a fun project!
I’ve recently dechrommed a bunch of HP G1 and ASUS CN62 boxes and they’re all lower spec than this. They work great for a variety of tasks around the house, but I have not used them as desktop machines. I’ve got one serving as a development system for a microcontroller, one serving as an RTL dongle to TCP gateway, and a few more scattered around doing various networking tasks. I expect I’ll have another one or two serving as Klipper controllers for some 3D printers. They’re pretty easy to work with and cheaper than Rpi’s–and they come with decent power… Read more »
For what it is, it’s not too bad I suppose.
Might make for a half decent Batocera gaming box or Libreelec.
Linux would likely run better than Windows for day to day tasks.
But I suspect that the processor will likely be seen as a tad too old right now for many.
Maybe a J4125 or even a more recent N5105 might attract more for a few pennies more.
The N100 offers great value, with great improvements over even the previous generation processors so I see these becoming devalued almost overnight, offering great opportunity for clearing the stock shelves.
Good deal finally for schools etc.