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MINISFORUM is the newest mini PC maker to leap on the Alder Lake-N bandwagon with two new methods powered by Intel’s new chips for low-cost, low-power computer systems.
The MINISFORUM UN100 is a compact desktop laptop with an Intel Processor N100, whereas the MINISFORUM UN305 packs an Intel Core i3-N305 processor. They’re out there for buy from the corporate’s internet retailer with costs beginning at $199 and $279, respectively. Each fashions ought to start transport in mid-June.
These beginning costs will get you a mannequin with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 256GB SSD and Home windows 11 Professional software program. However because the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, you would possibly wish to pay slightly further for a 16GB/512GB mannequin… and I do imply slightly further. MINISFORUM is barely charging an additional $30 to $40 for that improve.
Intel’s Alder Lake-N chips carry vital efficiency beneficial properties over the previous-gen Celeron and Pentium-branded chips based mostly on Intel’s Jasper Lake structure. These chips are mainly what you get should you take a Twelfth-gen Intel Core U-series processor and strip away the Efficiency CPU cores, leaving solely Effectivity cores.
The Intel Processor N100 is a 6-watt, quad-core chip with help for speeds as much as 3.4 GHz and 750 MHz Intel UHD built-in graphics with 24 execution models. And the Intel Core i3-N305 processor is a 15-watt, octa-core chip with CPU speeds as much as 3.8 GHz and 1.25 GHz Intel UHD graphics with 32 execution models.
Alder Lake-N chips don’t help hyperthreading, which implies that a quad-core chip options 4 cores and 4 threads. However Intel says the Core i3-N305 earns its standing as a Core i3 chip because of its 8 speedy CPU cores and fairly excessive efficiency graphics.
Except for the processor, there’s no actual distinction between the MINISFORUM UN100 and UN305. Each computer systems have a metallic chassis and below the hood there are M.2 2280 slots for a SATA SSD and a 2.5 inch bay for a tough drive or SSD. And each have the identical set of ports, which embrace:
2 x Gigabit Ethernet
2 x HDMI
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C (with DisplayPort Alt Mode)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A
1 x 3.5mm audio
1 x microSD card reader
1 x DC energy enter
The computer systems ought to help as much as three shows should you use each HDMI ports and the USB-C port on the similar time.
The methods additionally ship with a wi-fi card that helps WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2, which appears slightly old-fashioned by 2023 requirements. However since that card plugs into an M.2 2230 slot on the motherboard, I think it shouldn’t be that onerous to improve the wi-fi card.
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