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The SZBOX ZX01 is a tiny desktop computer that measures 72 x 72 x 44.5mm (2.83″ x 2.83″ x 1.75″). But inside that small case is a full-fledged computer with a 15-watt Intel N95 quad-core processor based on Alder Lake-N architecture, 8GB of LPDDR5-4800 memory soldered to the mainboard and an M.2 2242 slot with support for PCIe 3.0 NVMe or SATA SSDs.
SZBOX is selling the ZX01 for $129 and up through its AliExpress store.
The starting price is for a “barebones” model that ships without any storage or operating system. But you can also configure the system with 128GB to 1TB of storage: prices for those configurations range from $139 to $196 at time of publication. Or if you’d rather have more control over the storage and operating system you’d like to use, you can opt for the barebones model and bring your own SSD.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the ZX01. A few years ago several mini PC makers started selling a similarly-sized mini PC with the same name, but that model was powered by an Intel Celeron N5105 Jasper Lake processor.
Intel’s Alder Lake-N chips should bring a big boost in CPU and graphics performance while still keeping price and power consumption low. These are still budget chips aimed at entry-level devices, but they’re better than previous-gen entry-level chips.
The new ZX01 mini PC also features an updated set of ports. Instead of two HDMI ports and one Ethernet jack, the new model has two RJ45 ports for Ethernet and a single HDMI port. But it still supports up to two displays thanks to support for video output over a USB-C port. Since that port is also the power input though, you’ll need a docking station, hub, or monitor that supports passthrough power.
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 2 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C w/DisplayPort Alt mode and USB Power Delivery
- 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
There’s also an Intel AC7265 wireless card inside the case with support for WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. Those wireless specs feel a little dated in 2024, but it’s hard to complain given the low price tag of the ZX01.