![MINIX NEO N42C-4, Intel Pentium Mini PC with Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) [4GB/32GB/Upgradeable/Dual-Band Wi-Fi/Gigabit Ethernet/4K @ 60Hz/Triple Display/USB-C]. Sold Directly by MINIX Technology Limited.](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31D5zOZDeyL.jpg)
Quiet, sleek little computer with outstanding performance. I also purchased an 8G memory stick Kingston Technology 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L (PC3-12800) 1.35V Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM Intel Laptop Memory KVR16LS11/8 and SSD for the M.2 slot ADATA SU800 M.2 2280 256GB Ultimate 3D NAND Solid State Drive (ASU800NS38-256GT-C). This brought the total RAM up to 12G, and most importantly provided enough disk space to run Windows 10.
Why is the adding an SSD required? Well, pre-installing Windows 10 on built-in 32G eMMC storage is kind of a cruel joke. After first boot, you have about 18G free... then windows update runs continuously - pretty much pegging the CPU and making the machine unusable for a few hours as it downloads and installs more and more patches while the available disk space dwindles, winding up at about 6G or so free when all is said and done. For now. Then more updates come, and Windows is complaining about "critically low disk space on drive C" - and this is with no applications installed, just Windows.
Since 32G is just not enough space for the primary (C:) windows drive, you're going to need to move Windows to another drive. I would recommend at least a 128G SSD for the M.2 slot. I used the the Windows "Create a recovery drive" feature to make a USB stick installer from the Windows OS on the Minix. The Minix website also has a download link for their Win10pro image, but I didn't use it. Once you have windows on a USB flash drive, you can boot into BIOS setup (press DEL on boot) and DISABLE the eMMC 32G storage. That setting is buried under "Southbridge" config as I recall. Boot up the machine and let Windows install to your new SSD, and life is much better!
I have it in a dual-boot configuration with Ubuntu 18.04 and Win10 and all runs great. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase again. Review would be 5-star except for the 32G silliness.
This is a great find for minimal computers. I'm deploying 70 of these to work at home employees who only need a browser and a SIP phone client. I'm disabling the wifi, adding a 120G m.2 SSD, increasing RAM to 8 GB, disabling the 32GB SSD on the motherboard, then doing PXE boot to image the 120 GB SSD with a configured copy of Win10 Pro. It does everything we need.
When we I first tested it, the 32GB SSD filled after running Windows UPdate. 32GB is not enough to use productively with MS Bloatware. It's a shame that Windows is so consumptive. One of the units died and wouldn't power up. Minix Technology Ltd promptly sent a replacement unit from Hong Kong. They emailed me with a UPS return shipping label that I printed to send the dead unit back to them. Not quite up to the standards of Dell next day on-site service, but really great considering the price of this unit.
Update Sept 19, 2018 I've bought over 200 of these. 2 were DOA. One had a damaged SoDimm socket. So, about a 1.5% DOA rate. The dead units were replaced after I sent them in. Took about 2 weeks. A very annoying trait of these units is that they hang during Windows Update at 15%. We have to always shut them down and restart to finish the update. We crashed a couple of Windows installs by doing the shutdown and had to reinstall Windows. It's still the best choice I've found for a tiny and cheap Windows 10 Pro workstation.
I have used the Minix NEO Z83-4 for a year and a half as a Kodi machine with 4 8tb hard drives hooked to it which houses my whole (legal) movie collection both DVD and blurays. It has ran Kodi fine and ofcourse being Windows 10 there are other things I can do like light browsing, video game emulation etc. The big major downside is the 32gb emmc C: drive. Windows 10 won't install the latest updates and complains all the time. Being that it is Windows Home you can't turn updates off at all. Technically an annoyance but every time I turn the machine on it tries to install and fails. Supposedly I can hook a flash drive to the computer and use that as temp space for the install but it has failed for me. Even if I did get it working at some point 32gb will run out being I only have about 3 gig free.
So my main concern was a small, quiet machine that would allow me to use a larger ssd. I also wanted more ram, 4gb is technically enough for Windows 10 but common, it is the minimum. You may ask why Minix builds machines with 32gb C: drives to start with. When I did my research a year and a half ago I found that PC manufacturers who built systems with 32gb or smaller C: drives and a max of 4gb of ram could install the windows 10 os for basically free. Raspberry PI and other projects have been eating Microsoft's lunch for low costs mini p.c.'s so they have had to put these types of programs out to compete and keep Windows dominant. Being that Windows costs between $90 and $140 that is a huge part of the cost of a smaller system. Being I didn't want to build a $600 and up system the NEO Z83-4 made sense.
Enter the NEO N42C-4. I wanted to upgrade the C: drive, check. I wanted to install more ram, check. I wanted Windows 10 Pro for RDP services, check.
I bought this main system. I bough two 8 gb ddr3 ram https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EH1H86C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought this ssd m.2 Sata drive https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073SBX6TY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and for the keyboard I bought https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07934KKTS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used the minix forums in the past to get information etc but unfortunately they are down. However I have included pictures of the upgrade process.
1. Remove the rubber feet to reveal the 4 screws you need to remove. (I thought oh man, now the rubber feet won't stay on cuz they are glue on. But in the package they include a second set of rubber feet with fresh glue)
2. The system has a 4gb ddr3 (kingston in my model) dimm. This can be added to with the second dimm slot or can be replaced with a larger dimm for a total of 16gb (two 8gb dimms). If you plan on going to 16gb at some point I would encourage you to buy the two 8gb dims now so they are matched. Not all 8gb ddr3 dims are the same. They can have different CAS timing which may not effect your system but can. If they are matched in timing you will remove one possiblility of weird problems later. I chose corsair because they have a lifetime warranty and I had to use it once and it was easy to do and worked very well, once a company treats me well I stick with them.
3. Place the screw extender bolt into the the whole that matches the length of your M.2 SSD you are installing. (picture provided)
4. Plug the M.2 SSD in and use the provided retention screw to mount it in place. The retention screen should be screwing into the extender bolt you put in the motherboard....or you did something wrong.
5. Close up the lid.
6. I used a hardwired USB keyboard and mouse to make sure when I hit Del during the splash screen to get to the bios (this was a spare keyboard and mouse I had laying around not the one I note above that I used once the system upgrade was done, it may have worked but I wasn't in the mood to test it since I had a hardwired usb keyboard and mouse laying around). Some wireless keyboards don't get initialized fast enough and you miss the opportunity to hit DEL to get to the bios screen.
7. Boot into windows and launch the disk manager. Let it write the disk signature to the New SSD DO NOT create a new partion.
8. I decided to let windows updates run thinking I would get the 32gb emmc updated and then clone the os and have a fall back later if I needed. Most updates run but the 1803 April large update would not install. I gave up and cloned the drive.
9. Remember to run your clone software as administrator so it can see the M.2 SSD that is installed but does not have partitions on it. I use EASEUS Todo Backup which has a free home version that works great. Use the clone feature and clone all partitions to the new M.2 SSD (if you do not see the new M.2 SSD as a destination choice then you probably didn't run the software as administrator).
10 Reboot and go into the bios using the DEL key during the splash screen. Go to the Boot Order and under the #1 change it to be the M.2 SSD. I removed the PXE boots because unless you have a PXE boot server (mainly large businesses) you will never need these. I then went to the chipset, southbridge, scc, and disabled the emmc support. This will cause the 32gb to disapear from the OS. If you ever get a virus you can wipe your SSD clean, enable the EMMC and clone it across again. Nice fail safe.
11. Save changes and reboot. Final step install a partion software. I used EaseUS Partition Manager because again they have a free version for home use. In the software you will see a partion to the right of your 30 gig OS partion. drag that partion all the way to the right which will cause the free space to be next to the 30 gig OS partition (be careful not to grab the edge of the partition which causes the 500mb partition to change in size, click in the middle of it to move it in tact without change it's size). Write the changes. Next go into Disk Management in Windows right click the C: partition and extend it using the remaining space. If there is no space then you didn't do the first part of step 11 right or you are still booting off the old 32gb emmc. Once the partion is extended you now have a large C: drive and can finish installing windows updates.
12. Finally I go to intel.com and download their driver update utility. The video driver especially if your using this as some kind of video server like I use it for KODI should be kept up to date. This will also update your USB and Wifi drivers and all intel components.
Regarding M.2 drives there are two basic types. Sata and NVMe. The Minix works with Sata M.2 drives. Read the description of the drive you are considering buying. If it says it is a SATA M.2 drive it will work if it says it is a M.2 NVMe it won't work. I used the one linked above because it is a name brand and I use a lot of their HDD's and have used their warranty in the past with no problems.
Is this a really fast desktop...no. Again I am using it for KODI, game emulators and light office apps and browsing. Having the extra memory and c: drive space makes it very usable for these functions. Again for those who complain about it coming with a 32gb drive, price out a model with Windows 10 pro (either pre-installed or purchased by you) and I think you will see you can't do it for cheaper with these specs and have an upgrade path for the memory and the SSD. To me a 64gb emmc is still too small so unless the system comes with 128gb or larger you will need to upgrade the C: drive. So the pain of migrating the OS is worth it. The clone process takes 6 mins so just shut up and do it.
Definitely would buy this again if I needed another one.
It also has three ports, so you can easily connect three cables at the same time. I am actually thinking of using three monitors to make work even more productive. I also love that this is 4k compatible, streaming movies makes it more enjoyable. This also comes with VESA mount, so you can hook it up at the back of your monitor or TV. Even when mounted at the back, all buttons are still accessible.
It is a small product yet multi-functional. Great for mobile games, streaming 4K videos, and basic office functions. Great product that will last for a long time. Price is great too, considering the Windows 10 pro can cost a lot. I am sure a lot of people will love this mini PC as much as I do. Thanks Minix for making a powerful mini PC. 😄
-The Minix N42C-4 is upgradable both for RAM and Hard Drive
-It comes with everything you need including tv mount, international power outlet adaptors and HDMI cable
-It handles 4K videos
-It comes with Windows 10 PRO installed and ready to go
-It’s a real PC so you can use it for everything
-The Minix has a English speaking forum with super helpful people
The rest:
You might be asking yourself: why would I spend 300 bucks on this mini-PC when I can get a decent Android box for 70 bucks and it can do the same things?
That’s a perfectly reasonable question, and my answer is: although they might look comparable to the layman, it’s actually an apples to oranges situation.
First of all, if you are interested in a small package that you can use for productivity, internet browsing, and general everyday life stuff (like printing a label to return a defective product), there is no doubt a mini-PC is a better option. An Android box is not gonna cut it (I’m talking about a box, not a tablet or smartphone). My experience with Android boxes is that they are designed to be entertainment devices, not productivity ones. So the browsers tend to suck, the interface is going to be designed to be used with a remote, connecting it to the printer is going to be a pain, etc.
The Minix is a PC so you can access all the software that is made for PCs, which is to say, ALL of it! You can’t really compare that both in quantity and quality to the software available of Android.
Now, if we are talking strictly about entertainment, things are a bit different. Android boxes can definitely perform ok in that role. There are, however, a few limitations.
First of all, the apps on the Android box may work well for a while and then start malfunctioning, and while some companies like Minix are pretty good at releasing updates, other don't release updates at all. I had issues with the Youtube app and the Netflix app on some of the Android boxes I owned, and they never released updates to fix them. This includes a FireTV! With a PC you can use Youtube or Netflix through the browser and you KNOW they are going to work.
Depending on what kind of Android box you get, it might be more or less annoying to install apps like Kodi that are not on the Android marketplace. With a mini-PC you just got to the website and download it.
Do you want to connect a fancy sound system? Not all Android boxes have good audio output ports. This mini-PC offers HDMI and an optical audio output adaptor.
Again, depending on what Android box you get (some have better hardware than others) you may or may not be able to play those cool 4K videos you took with your new smartphone. I had Android boxes struggling with 4K. With this mini-PC 4K videos are not a problem.
So, the bottom line is, yes an Android box is cheaper than this mini-PC, but an Android box is mainly just a media center with several limitations. A PC is a PC, you can use it as a media center or anything else you want.
All in all, I find mini-PCs to be super useful, I have it hooked up to my TV with a wireless mouse and I love it! I tend to not use PCs for my everyday browsing and productivity (I prefer Macs), but it’s also nice to know that if one day my other devices kick the bucket, I can just use my mini-PC for everything I need.
Feature Product
- Fully Functional, Customisable Mini PC with Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) Pre-installed- Powered by Intel N4200 processor with integrated Intel HD Graphics 505, NEO N42C-4 is ideal for industrial and commercial applications; Digital Signage, POS and Thin Client solution. Pre-installed with Windows 10 Pro (64-bit), set up is effortless and NEO N42C-4 is ready to run straight out of the box.
- Ultra-High Definition 4K @ 60Hz & Triple-Display Ready - NEO N42C-4 excels at producing super detailed, crystal-clear 4K @ 60Hz imagery. NEO N42C-4 is Triple-Display Ready, allowing easy connection for up to three displays via the HDMI, Mini DisplayPort and USB-C outputs.
- Expandable, Flexible Design- NEO N42C-4 comes with 32GB eMMC internal storage and 4GB of DDR3L, while the inclusion of a 2280 M.2 slot [SATA 6.0Gbps] and a pair of SODIMM slots [dual channel support] offer the flexibility to expand the storage and RAM to meet user¡¯s requirements.
- Packed with Connectivity; Integrated USB-C Port - NEO N42C-4 is equipped with a vast array of connectivity options: Three USB 3.0 Ports, HDMI [4K @ 30Hz], Mini DisplayPort [4K @ 60Hz], USB-C [4K @ 60Hz], Optical S/PDIF, 3.5mm Audio Jack, 802.11ac Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 4.1.
- Business Friendly Features - NEO N42C-4 includes a VESA mount for easy installation on the back of a VESA compatible TV or monitor. An auto power-on option can be enabled within the BIOS menu settings.
Description
Fully Functional, Customisable Mini PC with Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) Pre-installed.
All the power and functionality of a desktop computer in a compact, stylish chassis. Powered by Intel N4200 processor with integrated Intel HD Graphics 505, NEO N42C-4 is ideal for industrial and commercial applications
Pre-installed with Windows 10 Pro (64-bit), set up is effortless and it's ready to run straight out of the box.
Ultra-High Definition 4K @ 60Hz & Triple-Display Ready.
NEO N42C-4 excels at producing super detailed, crystal-clear 4K @ 60Hz imagery and is Triple-Display Ready, allowing easy connection for up to three displays. [Important Note: The USB-C port only supports video output, not audio output].
Expandable, Flexible Design.
NEO N42C-4 comes with 32GB eMMC and 4GB of DDR3L, while the inclusion of a 2280 M.2 slot [SATA 6.0Gbps, support up to 512GB] and a pair of SODIMM slots [dual channel support, each support up to 8GB] offer the flexibility to expand the storage and RAM to meet user's requirements.
Packed with Connectivity; Integrated USB-C Port.
Three USB 3.0 Ports, HDMI [4K @ 30Hz], Mini DisplayPort [4K @ 60Hz], USB-C [4K @ 60Hz], Optical S/PDIF, 3.5mm Audio Jack, 802.11ac Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 4.1. [Important Note: An active adapter is required to convert Mini DisplayPort output to HDMI/DVI output].
The USB-C port supports data transfer, video output and simultaneous power input. [Important Note: USB-C power input is optional, standard DC 12V, 3A power adapter included].
Minimal Noise, Zero Disturbance.
Active cooling solution to ensure safe operation and stable performance even throughout prolonged operation, producing absolute minimal noise to guarantee zero disturbance.
Business Friendly Features.
Auto power-on option can be enabled within the BIOS menu.
VESA mount included for fast and easy installation.
My wife has been asking for a new PC, so that she could work from home. I looked and never could find one that suited our needs. I was intrigued by the mini form factor PCs and for good reason. This computer is both easy on the eyes, ears, and wallet. I can’t hear it at all, as the bulky fans that cooled legacy machines aren’t even needed for this unit. It fits where I need it to, not the other way around. It even comes with it’s own VESA-compatible mount, which I found to be a quality feature.
Once I updated the O/S, I was able to get it set up just as I pleased. I have been quite pleased, between the N42C-4, the Logitech C920 camera, and the Logitech wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad. This setup will be perfect for both of us, as I will be blogging and she will be teaching English online.
So far I'm digging this. I upgraded it right away with a Samsung 860 EVO 500GB M.2 SATA Internal SSD. And also added 1 stick of Kingston Technology HyperX Impact 8GB memory. After reading other reviews and forums about it I knew I wouldn't like it without doing at least a couple upgrades. I use it for a touch screen jukebox and since the upgrades I experience no stuttering in the audio and overall it is quick to respond.
Only problem I have with it is not with the unit itself but the support. I have made numerous attempts to contact company to find out if I can purchase another Vesa mount for it. I use it in my Jam room/basement/game room and also use it out on the screen house. So far I've emailed any contact info I can find. American/Hong Kong, email, contact form on HK site and American site. So far nothing. I hope they do end up getting back to me.
I gave it 4 stars because of the price point. You really get a whole lot for under $300. The Microsoft Windows 10 Pro license alone is worth over half of that so consider that when buying this unit.
Aside from that I really think you'll like it DEPENDING ON WHY you're buying it. If it's for a simple pc for web apps or a dedicated unit for things like skype then you won't find anything better for the price; however I would never recommend that someone buy this as a standalone unit for a business computer. It only comes with 32GB of Storage (which isn't nearly enough for much else other than Windows) and honestly, it's not really very fast.
A decent product but I would have gladly paid another $100+ if it had a m.2 120GB ssd installed instead and maybe another 4GB of ram but unfortunately they don't offer anything like that so if you want those things you'll have to go through the legwork of buying and installing the parts and reinstalling the OS.
I bought this knowing I'd have to add a larger hard drive. Windows barely fits on the 32gb drive. I'm happy now that it has a 500GB drive and more memory. Now, I have a question. In the Minix package there's a tiny part that looks like a miniature light bulb. There is no slot on the computer that this would fit into. Does anyone know what this is? I've attached a photo. Tried to do this in the questions section but you cannot include images there.
This small pc is a beast. I so much love the performance and the portability. At first, I was hesitant to buy it since no one has reviewed it. But I told myself that for every purschase and review, there is alway the first person to try it. I am honored to be the first person to review this giant in a small box. Don’t be scared of the price it will outperform the cost.
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