I have to say i am surprise by this mini PC. It is serving my 4K Media content over the Network. I am running plex server, and this little monster can trans-code 4K content just fine.
It comes with Windows 10 loaded on the unit. It has 4GB RAM to keep up with the daily tasks, plus media streaming like Netflix, Youtube to name the few. You can also run Kodi on it if you want. ACEPC AK2 mini PC does what it is built to do. It hooks up to a TV with HDMI.
Pros:
- Intel Celeron J3455 - Quad Core (4 cores).
- Ability to add 2TB Internal Hard drive storage.
- 4GB RAM, 64GB Flash Storage.
- Only uses 15 Watts or less when idle.
- Can be use as NAS.
- I/O Specifications: Designed with 2 x USB 2.0 ports,2 x USB 3.0 ports ,1 x Gigabit Ethernet port,1 x Micro SD Card port,2 x HDMI port support Dual Display.
Cons:
- Price can be cheap.
Well, I bet my review will be significantly different from other users because of the unique application I found with this mini PC.
It was originally bought for the streaming of video to a projector I got earlier for my little daughter. Then I talked to a colleague who mentioned such a small device can be used for some scientific tasks with not very intensive data acquisition (DAQ). I think it is worth to try as it saves money and people in the academia all know about the current funding situation. One difficulty is indeed the 32GB eMMC disk space which was about totally consumed after one single Win 10 home update right after I turned on the machine. The disk space left is insufficient for the installation of the LabVIEW. So I reached out the tech support of the company to discuss the potential solutions. After some communications, the engineer suggested installing an SSD; cloning the eMMC system imaging to the SSD; then change the start-up sequence first with the SSD. I dug out an old 256GB SSD from a retired old laptop and proceeded following the suggestions. It works out pretty well that I was able to get all software including LabVIEW, NI-MAX, Dropbox, Acrobat Reader, and chrome etc. (I just noticed they now have a 64 GB version now, an SSD may not be necessary if going the newer version.)
After setting up the machine, I was able to run my LabVIEW VIs immediately on the mini PC. I used it to control a heater controller driving 3 heating tapes up to 1500 W with multiple point temperature monitoring and feedback to maintain the process temperatures at a user-defined constant setting. The communication between the mini PC and the heater controller is established via a USB-to-RS485 converter. I attached a photo showing the setup in my lab and the VI running interface. The mini PC has been running stable for a little more than two weeks now. I am pretty satisfied with its performance. In addition, comparing to a typical PC workstation used in the lab easily costs 1-2k at least, its price is only about 10%
Although it is probably still not powerful enough to run high-speed DAQ for the scientific tasks. I think it is more than enough for such slow control task with not quite demanding data rate. The advantages of cost-efficient and small size make me consider using it for the slow control for my future experiments. As a scientist, I would highly recommend it for moderate load DAQ tasks such as slow control or room temperature monitoring. Other normal home application such as video streaming should be trivial.
I ordered this computer not exactly expecting such a great machine. I purchased it for the lack of size, good content of abilities & low price. I was not expecting this much. I am most impressed with what I have been encountering in it's abilities, so far. It took a bit for it to upgrade, but, the wait was worth it. It may only offer 6gb/64gb, but one has the ability to flip a switch and add a blank SATA. I'm sure it was covered in the product description, but, just after I had it upgraded, not only did I find myself very impressed, I also found myself ordering a 1tb 2.5 SATA drive.
My first impression was how light and tiny the device is. Very generous with USB (4) and HDMI (2) slots. Also very quiet.
As I explain in the video demo, at first you will need to configure Windows 10 settings and updates. But once that is done, you are good to go. The machine is very quiet.
Once of the first things I did, soon after I did the demo video, is inserting a 32 GB SD card, out of 2 cards I bought over the holidays. Internal memory storage us only 30 GB and a raw Win 10 (with no updates) alone takes about half of that space. The card is to save any files, apps, downloads. As for those downloads from Win 10 updates, you will want to erase the download folder contents in the Windows/Software Distribution master folder.
So, the key is to use internal space as little as possible and to only have those apps you use the most installed.
My 11 year old daughter is doing school catch-up homework on the PC as we speak. It connects well to wifi and it is a fast and very portable device.
Only con is you need to buy a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, but luckily I had spare items for all those.
Quick correction on what I mentioned on the video: it did not come with a TF card; I meant to say I was happy it came with a TF card slot. I had to provide my own card, which is no big deal.
Very impressed overall.
Feature Product
- Intel Celeron Processor: Quad-Core Intel Celeron J3455 Processor.It's base operating frequency 1.5 GHz/s rising to a 2.3 GHz in burst mode.
- Storage Expansion Options: 1.Support 2.5-Inch SATA HDD/SSD up to 2TB. 2.Support Micro SD card up to 128GB
- Small But Powerful: 4K HD for visually home entertainment,HTPC,perfect for home office, light games,digital Security and surveillance, digital signage, media center,conference room etc.
- Windows 10 OS: Pre-installed with Windows 10 Home Edition(64bit) OS.
- I/O Specifications: Designed with 2 x USB 2.0 ports,2 x USB 3.0 ports ,1 x Gigabit Ethernet port,1 x Micro SD Card port,2 x HDMI port support Dual Display
Description
Processor
CPU: Intel Celeron J3455
Processor Base Frequency:1.5 GHz
Burst Frequency: 2.3 GHz
Cache: 2 MB
# of Cores: 4
Storage
Memory Size: 4GB
Memory Types: DDR3L
Hard Disk: 64GB
Expansion options: Install 2.5-Inch HDD/SSD,or fit Msata SSD
Processor Graphics
GPU: Intel HD Graphics
Graphics Base Frequency: 250 MHz
Graphics Burst Frequency: 750 MHz
I/O Specifications
USB: 2x USB 2.0,2x USB 3.0
Video Interface: 2x HDMI
Audio Port: Headphone/Mic Combo Interface
1X Ethernet Port
1x Micro SD Card Slot
1x DC Power Port
Wireless Technology
Wi-Fi: 2.4G/5G Built-in Wi-Fi
Bluetooth: BT 4.0
Package List
1x Mini PC
1x Power Cord
1x HDMI cable
1x VESA Mount
1x English Instruction
I wanted to put a computer in my garage for surfing the internet and minor work. I don't want a big PC nor I want to spend over $1K for a PC. I've search around Amazon and found this Apce Mini PC and I am quite impressed with it. It's small enough that I can just put it behind the monitor or anywhere I want. Its measurement for the mini PC is roughly 3x5 inch.
This is the 4GB 32GB version and does include Windows 10pro. I had no trouble (other than finding I need to hold down the power button to get it to boot and finding a tiny blue LED on top) and the from-scratch WIndows install routine ran cleanly. This is NOT a speedy unit but completes fine. System info also shows it is registered with Microsoft. For now I'm hardwired ethernet into my switch, using a wired mouse and wireless keyboard I had. I then configured remote desktop on the unit, edited its name and connected to it from my primary desktop machine on my lan. Checking the Wifi, it does see my 2.4 and 5ghz networks as expected. There are few instructions but clean professional looking quick guide and box.
Overall I would recommend this Acepe Mini PC.
It has great performance and is easy to set up. After connected with my spare monitor, I can watch youtube and browse website. Quantity of picture and sound is good than I expected. Highly recommend it as a music and video streaming box. It works well for basic data processing, small and convenient to travel with and significantly reduces footprint on computer desk.All in all ,thats a great product, It deserves to be recommended!
I am not a big fun for computer don’t have a lot of knowledge for them. I just need one for fun. My friend recommended this brand mini pc for me. For less than 200 Dallas I made a purchase to try it out! When I received I couldn’t believe how small it is. As soon as I got it, I connect with my television. Use my wireless mouse to play around. Wow, started so fast. Working so smooth and very little noise. But so adorable. Now it is like my new toy. I use it for shopping, watching movies, playing games. It is small but powerful and portable. Sometimes I carry it to my parents house to do my own thing! This is my first mini pc. It is really impressive!
The initial delivery was dead on arrival, would not power up. The seller confirmed it was dead and Amazon shipped a new unit the same day I reported it defective, I received it the same day it was shipped, Great service from both the seller and Amazon (5 star service from them alone). In comparison to my previous Windows 10 mini PC which was an Intel i3 4030 chip running at 1900 MHz, speed of 1.96 GHz with 8 Gig of RAM. The ACEPC GK1 runs rings, speed wise, around the older unit. The ACEPC unit came pre-loaded with the latest version of Windows 10, no other bundled software came with it. Power on is very quick. Initial Windows 10 setup was easy, less than 30 minutes. The initial Microsoft System update consisted of about 6 updates, they downloaded and installed in less than 15 minutes. My older system would have probably taken 45 minutes for the same task. The unit configured easily to my home WIFI, monitor and Bluetooth keyboard/mouse. In general, I am very please with the ACEPC GK1 thus far. I will followup with more information if I find anything worth passing on, after I load it up with more apps. This is a very powerful little PC for the cost, impressive thus far. It looks classy with the recessed/reflected blue lighting.
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