Currently, one of the most emerging markets in computing is that of mini-PCs. These really compact computers hide quite powerful and efficient processors. Due to the increase in power and adjusted prices, many people choose to buy them and forget about the huge carcasses.
Obviously, these systems cannot be expected to have the power of a large computer. Although there are tiny PCs capable of running games, they are nowhere near enough for Triple A titles. But they can run games like CS:GO, Minecraft, Fortnite, or Dota 2, among other similar games. .
A more than interesting proposal
The main striking element of this new ASUS system is its processing. More specifically, it incorporates a Intel N100 4 cores and 4 threads which operate at a frequency of 3.4 GHz. It incorporates a Intel UHD discrete graphics running at 750 MHz It is very striking that this processor has a consumption of only 6 W, which is very low.
Additionally, this processor supports up to 16 GB of RAM memory in DDR4, DDR5 and LPDDR5 formats. It’s not a large amount that is supported, but for browsing and office automation, as well as multimedia, it’s more than enough.
Based on the performance data we have, this processor isn’t bad at all. They show you have a performance similar to Intel Core i3-9100 launched in the second quarter of 2019. One of the peculiarities of this processor is that it consumed 65W, which is about 11 times more than the N100. Efficiency has been greatly improved, as we can see.
As standard, this system is delivered without RAM memory and no storage unit. We can install, as we said, up to 16 GB DDR4 and up to 2 TB SSD. More or less, one can install 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD for around 100-120 dollars, depending on the model.
It has great connectivity this compact computer. Specifically, it has four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports and three USB 2.0 ports, along with one HDMI and one DisplayPort 1.4. It also incorporates two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports and, as usual, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5. It incorporates an infrared sensor on the front to be used by remote control.
Note that this PN42 will have variable connectors. There are variants with a DisplayPort, USB-C, HDMI, VGA, and serial port, so we’ll have to look at the specs.
ASUS PN42 Price and Availability
We don’t have an official release date for this new Mini PC, but it should be coming soon. ASUS has listed the PN42 with a starting price of $270, which is available for pre-order now. This model has 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 128 GB M.2 SSD, being a very basic configuration.
On the other hand, one store listed it without RAM and without SSD for $220. As we said, for around 100-120 dollars more you can have 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The ASUS configuration is therefore unattractive.
