The Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer comes with licensed Windows 10 OS, support Linux system. Furthermore, it supports Wake-on-Lan, Auto power-on, PXE function, Wake up by alarm, TPM 2.0, perfect for your needs. Dual storage design with one M.2 PCIe SSD and one 2.5-inch HDD provides the perfect mix of fast data transfers and high storage capacity. The surrounded vents and a fan in the bottom design to bring better experience, it helps the heat dissipation while keep noise down. Find more in Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer review.
In the box
1x mini PC
1x US Power Adapter DC12V 3A
1x English Manual
1x HDMI Cable
1x SATA Cable
Screws
Specifications – Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer
CPU : Intel Celeron J4115
CPU Cores and Threads: 4Cores , 4 Threads
CPU Frequency: Base Frequency: 1.8GHz / Burst Frequency: 2.5GHz
GPU: Intel 9th Gen UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4
SSD: 128GB NVME SSD
Net Weight: 0.44lb ( 290g）
Dimensions: 4.92*4.4*1.69inch (12.5×11.2×4.3cm)
Network
WiFi: Dual band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Model: Intel Wireless-AC 9461)
Bluetooth: BT5.0 (Model: Intel 9461)
LAN: Gigabit Ethernet
Ports
HDMI: HDMI 2.0 × 2 (4K@60HZ support)
Type-C: Type-C(full function) ×1 (4K@60HZ support)
TF Card Reader: TF card reader support up to 512GB card ×1pc
USB3.0: USB3.0 × 2
USB2.0: USB2.0 × 2
M.2 Slot: M.2 Slot × 1 (Support M.2 SATA mode; 22×80mm)
SATA Slot: SATA Slot × 1 ( Support 7mm HDD)
Earphone Jet: 3.5mm earphone × 1 (Combo with microphone)
VESA: Support VESA 75mm and 100mm
DC in: 12V/3A
Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer comparison
| Mini PC AWOW Mini Desktop Computer Windows 10 Intel Celeron J4115 | CHUWI HeroBox Windows 10 Mini PC,Intel Gemini-Lake N4100 | Mini PC Intel Celeron N4000(up to 2.6GHz), DDR4 4GB/64GB eMMC Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Memory Size | 8 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| CPU Model | Intel Celeron | Intel Celeron | Intel Celeron |
| CPU Speed | 2.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz | 2.60 GHz |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel UHD Graphics 600 | — | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Hard Disk Size | 128 GB | 180 GB | 64 GB |
| Hardware Platform | PC | PC | PC |
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor Count | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer review
Design & build
With a modern design featuring sleek lines and micro-level CNC cutting, aluminium alloy sandblasting oxidation treatment, AK34 is compact and lightweight at 4.53inch x 4.53inch x 1.57inch.
AK41 mini desktop pcs with smooth edges and compact dimensions measuring just 4.92*4.4*1.69inch. Take it easily in your palm. Just one mini PC for a tidy, clutter-free environment.
Storage
Dual storage design with one M.2 PCIe SSD and one 2.5-inch HDD provides the perfect mix of fast data transfers and high storage capacity.
Ports
AWOW AK34 mini desktop computer provides versatile connectivity with multiple ports, including 2x HDMI, 5x USB 3.0 ports, 1x micro SD slot, 1 X 3.5mm Audio Jack.
In AWOW AK41 –
- HDMI2.0*2 (4K@60HZ)
- Type-C(full function)*1
- TF card reader up to 512GB card *1
- USB3.0*2, USB2.0*2
- M.2 Slot* 1, SATA Slot*1
- 3.5mm earphone*1 (Combo with microphone)
- Support VESA 75mm-100mm
- DC in: 12V/3A
Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer customer review
Compact and powerful
I needed a second PC in the house, but didn’t want to fully invest in a desktop computer. That’s when I came across AWOW mini pc, and I am counting my luck as fortunate.
First of all, the specifications for this little PC is not to be underestimated. It delivers the power of Windows 10 Intel Celeron with 8gb RAM and 128gb SSD hard drive space at a fraction of the cost. Because I have a spare monitor at home, all I had to do was to connect this with cables, and after a simple plug and play, I had a fully functioning desktop computer. It has multiple USB ports to connect your mouse and keyboard with many rooms to spare, and the state of the art USB-c port is available as well for multi-purpose media connections. I do think it’s more geared toward Android and PC users (obviously), but Apple devices are compatible as well.
The thing that I like the most is how little space it takes up. You just have the monitor, and this pc next to it, and you won’t even notice that it’s there. There are models where the PC and monitor are combined into one, but the cost is at least 3 times more, and the specs are about the same, if not inferior. By utilizing a mini PC, your space utilization is as minimal as it can get, without losing the power. Obviously if you have to buy a monitor separately, then your math will be different, but according to my calculation, you will still come out head first with the combination of a monitor + PC, compared to a combined model or purchasing a full desktop set.
One thing you do have to keep in mind is the cable ergonomics. As there are many ports, at the same time they are not all on the same side of the machine, so you just need to plan out your essential accessories like input devices and monitors in a way that makes sense to you without causing clutter in the back and avoid tangles. Overall, I am very satisfied with my choice, and I would recommend this for anyone looking for a simple desktop setup at home or work.
Mini PC AWOW mini desktop computer installation review
A few quirks, it will run Linux, and here are some installation tips
Size: Mini PC intel N3450/6+128GB
I ordered this specifically to run Linux, and it will run it—with a couple of caveats. It doesn’t run the XFCE desktop environment very well. But it does run Gnome okay. I’ll pass along some installation tips in a minute or two.
First, about the quirks. This box is designed rather unintuitively. The USB 3 ports are on the left side, not on the front where most people would expect them to be. The power cord and HDMI inputs are also on the left side, so they stick into your desk space. You could turn the box a quarter turn to put them on the back, but then your USB ports would be in the back too. On the front are the power button, two LAN/Ethernet ports, and the MicroSD card slot. The right side has a vent grill, and the back has no ports or vents.
Here’s the other unintuitive part. The USB ports and MicroSD slots are mounted upside down. You insert the MicroSD card with the label side down and the metal strip side up. You plug in USB peripherals with the embossed USB logo on the plug facing down and the seam on the metal part facing up. Neither of those things are major problems since they work either way, but it is a bit quirky.
As far as capability, it will power 1440p monitor at full resolution okay, but it does seem to tax the CPU. I noticed a Logitech wireless mouse lagged and skipped a bit when I had any other USB peripherals plugged in alongside the Logitech unifying receiver dongle. At first I thought the USB bus was underpowered, so I tried using a powered USB hub to drive the dongle, but that didn’t fix it completely. I then set the display resolution to 1080p, and things got a lot smoother.
As far as installing Linux, there are lots of how-tos online, so I’ll just hit the points I think you should know before loading it on this box.
First, make sure your installation media (USB key) is first formatted GUID before loading the disk image on it, so it will be compatible with UEFI boot. And of course make sure it’s bootable.
To access the BIOS, just tap the Delete key when booting. Then you can set the boot order so it tries your installation USB key first. Then you just follow the prompts of your preferred distro’s installation.
I did NOT attempt to set up a dual-boot system with two OS’s. I chose to put Linux on the whole disk.
I first tried the XFCE desktop environment, but it didn’t seem to work very well on this machine. I switched to Gnome, running in Xorg instead of the Wayland environment, and things worked better. (To choose to run in Xorg, click the gear icon when you reach the login screen and select it from the drop down menu.)
One more thing: I noticed I was getting a “failed to load firmware” message on boot. That got fixed when I opened a console window and ran “sudo apt-get install firmware-linux” (without the quotation marks).
Since then it has been running and operating fine. I didn’t use the included SATA cable to install an HDD in the box. I’m just using a MicroSD card in the built-in slot to add some extra (and portable) storage.
Overall, I think if you find this box on sale it’s a capable mini-PC for the money.