Whilst the first mini PCs were relatively simplistic using low-powered Intel Atom processors with minimal memory, storage, and ports, more recent mini PCs have become so advanced they can challenge SFF builds for both performance and functionality. However, such mini PCs come with prices to match. Beelink has now released the MINI S which is a mini PC that goes back to the basics and is based on a cut-down version of their earlier Beelink U59 mini PC and priced to match. Beelink kindly sent one for review and I’ve looked at performance running both Windows and Ubuntu and compared it directly against the U59. Beelink MINI S hardware overview The Beelink MINI S physically consists of a 115 x 102 x 41mm (4.53 x 4.02 x 1.61 inches) square plastic case. As an actively cooled mini PC, it uses Intel’s new 10 nm Jasper Lake N5095 processor which is […]
AMD unveils Ryzen Embedded R2000 Series processors with up to four cores, quad-display support
As expected, AMD has now launched the Ryzen Embedded R2000 series processors that build up on the earlier Ryzen Embedded R1000 family, but doubles the number of cores to up to four, gets improved Radeon graphics, and adds support for Windows 11 operating system. Performance and efficiency have also improved with the new Ryzen Embedded R2514 CPU exhibiting up to 81 percent higher CPU (Passmark v10) and graphics (3DMark) performance compared to Ryzen Embedded R1606G processor, as well as higher performance-per-watt efficiency thanks to the Zen+ core architecture. The company has four Ryzen Embedded R2000 processors in its portfolio at launch. Key features and specifications include: Memory – 2,400 to 3,200 MT/s (depending on SKU) DDR4 dual-channel memory support Storage – 2x SATA 3.0, NVMe support 16 lanes of PCIe Gen3, except for R2312 limited to just 8 lanes Up to four independent 4Kp60 displays using DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, […]
Beelink SER3 & SEi8 mini PCs review – Part 2: Ubuntu 22.04
Previously, I reviewed Beelink’s new SEi8 and SER3 mini PCs running Windows 11, so in this part, I will cover Ubuntu 22.04. Hardware Recap The SEi8 is an actively cooled Intel mini PC that physically consists of a 124 x 113 x 41 (4.88 x 4.45 x 1.61 inches) square metal case with a plastic top and uses Intel’s 14++ nm Coffee Lake Refresh Core i3-8109U processor from 2018 which is a dual-core 4-thread 3.00 GHz mobile processor boosting to 3.60 GHz with Intel’s Iris Plus Graphics 655. In comparison, the SER3 is an AMD mini PC and is physically very similar, consisting of a 126 x 113 x 40mm (4.96 x 4.45 x 1.57 inches) square metal case. It is also actively cooled and uses AMD’s 14 nm Zen Ryzen 3 3200U Picasso processor from 2019 which is a dual-core 4-thread 2.6 GHz mobile processor boosting to 3.5 GHz […]
MYIR MYC-J1028X CPU module features NXP LS1028A dual Cortex-A72 SoC with time-sensitive networking (TSN)
MYIR has introduced the MYC-J1028X CPU module based on NXP LS1028A dual Cortex-A72 processor with time-sensitive networking (TSN) support, as well as the MYD-J1028X development board with five Gigabit Ethernet ports, and other interfaces to evaluate the solution. The MYC-J1028X is equipped with 2GB DDR4, 8GB eMMC flash, a 32Kbit EEPROM, and a temperature sensor by default, and exposes all I/Os through a 314-pin MXM 3.0 edge connector. The module also comes with footprints to solder a QSPI NAND Flash, XSPI NOR Flash, and/or ECC memory. Typical applications include industrial routers, industrial control, edge computing, automotive electronics, industrial IoT, and more. MYC-J1028X CPU module MYC-J1028X SoM specifications: SoC – NXP Layerscape LS1028A (LS1028AXN7PQA) dual-core Cortex-A72 processor @ 1.5 GHz with 3D GPU, integrated TSN Ethernet switches and Ethernet controllers System Memory – 2GB DDR4 (optional 3GB / 4GB DDR4); optional DDR4 ECC Storage 8GB eMMC flash (optional 16GB / 32GB) […]
MeLE Quieter3Q Review – Ultra-thin fanless mini PC tested with Windows 11, Ubuntu 22.04
MeLE has released a new and updated version of the Quieter mini PC called the Quieter3Q. Like before, it is a passive mini PC but now features the latest low-powered Intel Celeron Jasper Lake CPU and an upgraded PCIe 3.0 x2 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot. MeLE has kindly sent one for review and I’ve looked at performance running both Windows and Ubuntu and connecting an eGPU. MeLE Quieter3Q Hardware Overview The MeLE Quieter3Q is physically the same as before consisting of a 131 x 81 x 18.3mm (5.16 x 3.19 x 0.72 inches) rectangular plastic case with a metal base plate. The top half of the case is finely grooved to mimic the fins of a heat spreader but is made of plastic rather than metal to allow reception to the WiFi antennas as one is directly connected to it. As a passively cooled mini PC, it uses Intel’s […]
Quartz64 Model B SBC with 4GB RAM is now available for $59.99
While it may be hard to buy a Raspberry Pi these days, there are various alternatives with the Raspberry Pi 3/4 form factor, including Pine64’s Quartz64 Model B SBC powered by a Rockchip RK3566 processor that has just launched for $59.99 with 4GB RAM. The Quartz64 Model B is a smaller version of the Quartz64 Model A launched earlier this year, that comes with HDMI 2.0a and MIPI DSI display interfaces, a MIPI CSI camera interface, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, as well as several USB 2.0/3.0 ports, and of course, a 40-pin Raspberry Pi compatible GPIO header. Quartz64 Model B specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3566 quad-core Cortex-A55 processor up to 1.8 GHz with Arm Mali-G52 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1, 0.8 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration System Memory – 4GB LPDDR4 Storage 128 Mbit SPI Flash optional eMMC module from 16GB up to […]
4K USB AI camera is powered by Rockchip RV1126 SoC with 2.0 TOPS NPU
ThinkCore TC-RV1126 is a USB AI camera powered by Rockchip RV1126 quad-core Cortex-A7 processor with a 2.0 TOPS NPU and equipped with a Sony Starvis IMX415 CMOS image sensor with 4K resolution (3840 x 2160). The Linux-powered camera module features a USB Type-C port compatible with UVC & UAC protocols so that it can work without drivers on Windows, Android, Linux, Mac OS, and most other operating systems with a USB stack. TC-RV1126 camera specifications: SoC – Rockchip RV1126 quad-core Arm Cortex-A7 @ 1.5 GHz + RISC-V MCU @ 400 MHz, 2D graphics engine, 2.0 TOPS NPU with support for INT8/ INT16, 14M ISP System Memory – 2x DDR3 chip (128M x 16), so that should be 512MB RAM (TBC) Storage – 1 Gbit (128MB) SPI NAND flash Camera Image sensor – Sony Starvis IMX415 1/2.8-inch 8MP CMOS sensor with night vision Capture up to 3840×2160 @ 30 fps Supported […]
Khadas VIM4 SBC review – Part 3: Ubuntu 22.04
Here’s the last part of Khadas VIM4 review with Ubuntu 22.04 “Jammy Jellyfish”. You may want to check out our previous parts with the unboxing and first boot, followed by Android 11 if you haven’t already done so. Ubuntu 22.04 installation on Khadas VIM4 I used the same method of installation with OOWOW firmware that can download the image directly from Khadas server, and install it to the eMMC flash. Since I already had Android 11 running on the board, I had to keep pressing the function key (middle), then shortly press the reset button, before releasing the function key and entering OOWOW interface. From there, I selected Ubuntu 22.04 Gnome, and went ahead with the download. The download was fast with the 758.2MB compressed image downloaded in a couple of minutes, then I simply selected “Install” to go further, and replace Android 11… .. and after rebooting the board […]