The MINIX Z100-AERO is a small desktop computer that measures about 5″ x 5″ x 1.7″ and features a 6-watt Intel N100 quad-core processor, support for up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and up to 4TB of PCIe 3.0 NVMe storage, and has two RJ45 Ethernet jacks: one with support for Gigabit speeds and another with support for 2.5 GbE connections.
In other words, it’s a close cousin of the MINIX Z100-0dB that launched a few months ago. But while the 0dB model had a metal case, a fanless design, and a single 2.5 GbE LAN port, the new Z100-AERO has a plastic body, a fan for additional cooling, and an extra network port. It also has a slightly lower starting price.
The MINIX website shows list prices starting at $239 for the fanless model with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, while an actively cooled version with the same specs starts at $219. It’s currently out of stock though, and not yet available from Amazon or other third-party retailers.
MINIX also made a few other odd choices for this model. For example, it ships with a wireless card that tops out at WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, while the fanless version has a WiFi 6/BT 5.2 module.
There are also some differences in the selection and placement of USB and video ports. And the physical design: the MINIX Z100-AEROhas vents, while the Z100-0dB does not, and the 0dB has fins on top of the chassis to help with heat dissipation.
Here’s a run-down of some key specs for the little computers:
Minix-Z100-AERO | Minix-Z100-0dB | |
Cooling | Active (fan) | Passive (heat sink) |
Enclosure | Plastic | Metal |
Dimensions | 127 x 127 x 43mm 5″ x 5″ x 1.7″ |
123 x 129 x 46mm 4.8″ x 4.7″ x 1.8″ |
Weight | 800 grams 1.8 pounds |
890 grams 2 pounds |
Processor | Intel N100 4-cores, 4-threads 0.8 GHz – 3.4 GHz Intel UHD graphics 6W TDP |
|
RAM | Sold with up to 16GB Supports up to 32GB DDR4-3200 1 x SODIMM |
|
Storage | Sold with up to 512GB Supports up to 4TB PCIe 3.0 x 1 NVMe SSD M.2 2280 |
Sold with up to 512GB Supports up to 4TB PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVMe SSD M.2 2280 |
Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x DisplayPort 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode & USB-PD) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (RTL8125BG-CG) 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (RTLA8111H) 1 x 3.5mm audio |
2 x HDMI 2.1 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode & USB-PD) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A 1 x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (RTL8125BG-CG) 1 x 3.5mm audio |
Wireless | Intel AC9560 WiFi 5 BT 5.1 |
Intel AX101/AX201 WiFi 6 BT 5.2 |
via AndroidPC.es