- #1
This is the Minix Z83-4
Unboxing
Packaging comes with: 1x HDMI Cable, 1x Power Supply (12V/3A) from Delta (major PSU OEM, smashing quality), 1x Wi-Fi Antenna, 1x Multi-Language Setup Guide, 1x Products Brochure and the Mini PC (of grade).
No Air Mouse/Keyboard is included, neither the device has an IR Receiver (unlike its predecessor) so information technology can exist only powered on using the concrete power push button, located on the left side.
Device
Minix's design never changes, but similar the NEO-U1 and NGC-1, likewise this one has the same Chassis Size (13.8x13.9x2.8cm), pretty compact and lightweight enough. Considering that the size is always the aforementioned, i won't show you again whatsoever measurement this time.
Here you lot can see information technology compared with the NGC-i
On the upper side only there is only Brand Logo with a black background, the whole chassis is black, no more dark-grey as on the NGC-ane.
On the front side there is but Power LED, information technology turns Blue when the device is running. I practice non detect any unlike color for the Standby land.
On the left, in that location is the Single Wi-Fi Antenna Connector (the internal Wi-Fi Adapter should supports maximum 1x1 RX/TX) and 1x Kensington Lock. As you might find there is also an Pigsty, only i still have to find its usage.
On the right, at that place is the TF Card (Micro-SD) slot, 3x Standard USB two.0 Ports, 1x Standard USB 3.0 Port and a Power Button. Compared to the NGC-1, there is an extra USB two.0 port.
Only like on the NEO-U1, all USB Ports are well designed here, yous won't have whatsoever kind of problem even with big USB Sticks. Well Done Minix!
The rear features 1x Headphone/Microphone Jack (like Smartphones), 1x DisplayPort Connector, 1x HDMI port, 1x LAN 10/100/thou port (Yes, Gigabit Ethernet), and 1x v.5mm DC in.
On the lower side there isn't anything important at all, absolutely clean.
Testing (Windows)
First of all, i won't exam Linux on this device because: 1) Information technology is using as SDIO Wi-Fi Card that doesn't work on Linux. 2) Atom CPUs are known to accept issues on Linux, unless the manufacturer uses some special alternative hardware.
Minix provides a pre-installed, and genuine, Windows 10 Home distribution on this device, and on first kicking yous'll need to configure everything just like a clean installation of Windows. No Tertiary-Political party apps are installed, completely make clean.
The major question is ever here, i don't know why Minix choose to use the slower Intel Atom x5-z8300 instead of the x7-z8700, information technology would have provided a nice performance boost, and unfortunately the lack of performance this time is pretty noticeable.
It comes with a pretty rare Wi-Fi card (Broadcom BCM4345, SDIO variant) that should supports 2.4/five.0GHz Networks at a maximum speed of 433 Mbps. Equally regards its performance, it behaves quite well with my two.4GHz WiFi Connection, but information technology wasn't able to see my 5.0GHz 802.11n Connection. Thanks to my intelligent VDSL cyberspace provider that provides an 802.11n WiFi Router even for 100MBps Broadband Connections, i won't be able to show you any WiFi 802.11ac test.
UPDATE
In order to fix the v.0GHz WiFi issue, information technology is necessary to update the WiFi commuter by following the Minix Forum'south guide. Pretty easy to follow, and fixes the bug i mentioned before. Give thanks you lot "Ken" from Minix.
Due to Windows Licensing bug, Minix had to use a 32GB eMMC instead of 64GB or college, reducing the available storage to whatsoever additional software. Unfortunately this isn't replaceable, so you take to use an External HDD or MicroSD to avert space issues. Anyway, information technology is made past Samsung and its speed is decent, comparable to other 32GB eMMCs. Without any software installed, merely xiii.1GBs are used.
USB 3.0 (and also 2.0) Performance is fantabulous, my Sandisk Ultra 64GB got maximum R/Westward speed, probably the only Mini PC together with the NGC-1 where I managed to get this speed. It is nice to see that Minix cares about USB Functioning.
Benchmarks
I have used PCMark 8 (Home, Artistic, Piece of work, Storage), GeekBench 3 Pro (64-bit), CrystalDiskMark x64 (benchmarks provided earlier), x264 FHD Criterion and CineBench (OpenCL & CPU) to stress the device in the most consummate way.
PCMark 8
PCMark tests are the about consummate ones, and their score isn't All tests have been run using the Native/Conventional mode in order to not advance any benchmark with OpenCL or anything like that. It is amend to use the real Hardware Power.
Creative
Abode
Storage
I wasn't able to consummate this exam, crashes everytime without whatsoever valid reason.
Microsoft Office
Piece of work
GeekBench – CPU Functioning is one of the fastest between all x5-z8300.
https://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/8124225
x264 Benchmark – This is a new-entry to my benchmarks list. Why i found this useful? Because it provides some data well-nigh the Video Encoding capabilities of this Mini PC.
CineBench – Another new-entry, this benchmark too provides some comparision values. What is interesting to run across is the OpenCL test, it score is higher than the one fabricated on a Core i5 with HD4000, just the CPU score is much lower though.
Summarazing all Criterion Results, it is clear to say that this isn't a device made for Gaming, but also some daily tasks such equally Web Browsing suffers a bit.
As well, I accept recorded Chassis and CPU temperature while running all benchmarks, including stress tests. (Ambient Temperature 23°C)
Yes, this CPU doesn't become hot at all.
Video Playback
I have tested the common Large Cadet Bunny videos together with an Extra Samsung UHD video, available on every different format so that the device can be tested completely. I have used KODI to play these videos.
Stereoscopic 3DFull HD (1920x1080 x2) 60 fps: Smooth, no issues.
Full HD (1920x1080 x2) thirty fps: Shine, no issues.
4K 3D Videos have been skipped, this device isn't powerful plenty to play such videos.
Standard second
480p HD (854x480) 24 fps: Smoothen, no issues.
720p Hard disk (1280x720) 24 fps: Smooth, no issues.
Total Hard disk drive (1920x1080) 60 fps: Polish, no issues.
Full HD (1920x1080) thirty fps: Polish, no problems.
Full Hard disk (1920x1080) 24 fps: Smooth, no issues.
4K, Quad-Total-Hard disk (3840x2160) 60 fps: Smooth, sometimes stutters but simply if you use KODI menus.
4K, Quad-Full-HD (3840x2160) 30 fps: Shine, no bug.
Samsung Ultra HD 4K threescore fps 10-flake (Farthermost TEST): Completely messed up, pixelated, laggy and causes the CPU to load at 100%
Conclusions
This Mini-PC should accept been configured in a better way, Minix choose to utilise an already outdated CPU that shows its lack of performance fifty-fifty on some basic daily tasks. It'south a pity because we are in the Q3 of 2016 where Minix could take choosen something newer such equally the Atom x5-z8350 or anything more powerful. Anyhow, i'grand not saying that this isn't a good device, its primary usage (Video Playback) is however perfect, and some basic tasks can be managed without major bug, but y'all tin't look a super-smooth experience.
So….exercise I recommend information technology? Well...this is an hard question. If y'all desire the all-time x5-z8300 Mini PC bachelor on the market then Ok, i can recommend information technology, this is the nearly complete available with this CPU, but if y'all need more performance i highly recommend you to cull the Minix NGC-1 or any other device that with a better CPU.
Official Specs
Rating: 8.six Packaging and Accessories: 9
Design and Materials: 8.five
Performance and Rut Dissipation: vii.five
Software: ten
Toll: eight (based on Amazon price)
You can find full-res images (I know, Quality isn't excellent) here: http://imgur.com/a/HTVGh
Official Website: http://minix.com.hk/en/products/neo-z83-4
You can buy it on many online shops.
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Posted by: janellebettim.blogspot.com