Final Words & Conclusion
Mini PCs are a great choice for those who value a mix of small size, useful features, and solid performance. While they might not be the best for demanding video games due to their limited graphics capabilities, they shine as powerful work or study computers. Their small size means they can fit almost anywhere, perfect for tight spaces. Plus, you can easily attach them to the back of a monitor thanks to their VESA mount compatibility. When it comes to cost, Intel-powered mini PCs are a bit pricier. Expect to pay around 500 euros for a model equipped with 32GB of memory and a 1TB solid-state drive (SSD). Despite the price tag, we believe these mini PCs offer good value for the money. They come packed with excellent connection options, including USB 3.2 2x2 ports and 2.5-gigabit Ethernet ports. WIFI on this model works well, however we've not been able to access our 6 Ghz band and from what we read, this should be a compatible Wifi 6E model. Upon checking the WLAN module, this is a Mediatek MT7921 adapter reading back as MediaTek Wi-Fi (AX) 6 MT7921 Wireless LAN Card, and thus not 6E.
In our testing, a mini PC with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD performed very well under stress. Even though it's not built for gaming, its integrated graphics can handle less intense games decently. But, be aware that it can slow down under lengthy heavy use. And paired with 32GB System memory you can play some games in Full HD / 1920x1080, albeit you'll find yourself forfeiting on image quality pretty soon, to trade in for better performance.
But as far as integrated graphics go, the embedded solution is okay.
Concluding
The Minisforum Venus Series NAB9 Mini PC is equipped with a variety of high-performance features designed to meet the needs of modern computing. It supports multi-display configurations with resolutions up to 8K and offers WiFi 6 for high-speed wireless connectivity. The device also includes two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports for reliable wired internet connections. In testing environments, the WiFi 6 capabilities demonstrated impressive speeds, achieving 400-500 Mbit/s on the 5GHz band. This Mini PC is further enhanced with Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility and an array of ports for versatile connectivity options. These ports include three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB 2.0 port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, among others. It comes with a 19V, 120W power adapter and features a compact design that allows for quiet operation, especially under low to normal workloads. In terms of performance, the NAB9 Mini PC, powered by an Intel system, exhibits efficient and quiet operation during standard tasks. However, performance may decrease slightly under heavy workloads. OVerall multi-threaded performance is commendable, single threaded performance is actually very fast. The device's use of DDR4 RAM, while a cost-saving measure, provides sufficient memory bandwidth for most applications without compromising performance significantly. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, the NAB9 offers a comprehensive and user-friendly computing experience. The Mini PC is priced at just over $500, which represents a competitive value for its range of features and capabilities.
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