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Late last year Chinese PC maker CWWK began selling a line of tiny desktop computers that measure just 75.4 x 75.4 x 52.5mm (3″ x 3″ x 2.1″), but which pack a lot of features into that palm-sized package, including up to four 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, up to an Intel Core i3-N305 octa-core processor, and support for multiple displays.
The bad news is it looks like CWWK is no longer selling the Mini M1 or Superfan M1 mini PCs. The good news is that several other companies are now selling identical mini PCs with prices starting as low as $197 at AliExpress or $226 at Amazon.
Those starting prices are for an M1 mini PC with a 6-watt Intel N100 quad-core processor, 8GB of onboard LPDDR5-4800 memory and no storage (you’ll have to bring your own M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 SSD). But you can also pay more for a system with up to 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB SSD.
You can also opt for a model with Intel N200 or Intel Core i3-N305 processor options. While these are all low-cost, low-power chips designed for entry-level laptops and mini PCs, the Intel N200 runs a little faster than the N100, while the N305 is a 15-watt, 8-core processor that offers performance close to what you’d expect from other Core i3-branded chips released in recent years.
All of these M1 mini PCs, which are positioned as “soft routers” or “firewall appliances” support features like Wake on LAN and PXE. And they all feature a set of ports that includes 2.5 GbE LAN, HDMI, and USB Type-C and Type-A ports. The exact number of ports varies depending on the model though.
For example, here’s a comparison of two models offered by Mrroute:
MR-M1 (2 x LAN) | MR-M1 (4 x LAN) | |
Ethernet | 2 x Intel i226-V | 4 x Intel i226-V |
HDMI | 2 x HDMI 2.0 | 1 x HDMI |
USB Type-A | 3 x USB 3.0 Type-A | 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A |
USB Type-C | 1 x (video and data) 1 x (12V – 19V power only) |
1 x (video and data) 1 x (12V – 19V power only) |
Audio | 1 x 3.5mm mic/headphone combo | |
Starting price | $226 (Amazon) | $226 (Amazon) |
Basically if you choose a model with four Ethernet ports, there’s not as much room for other ports. So you’re limited to a single HDMI port and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports. These models can support up to two displays if you use the USB-C and HDMI ports at the same time.
Or if you’d prefer three displays and don’t need more than two Ethernet ports, you can opt for the model with two HDMI ports. You’ll also get an extra USB 3.0 port.
All models of the M1 mini PC feature an aluminum body, dual copper heat pipes, and a small fan inside the case for active cooling.