MINIX Z97 Mini PC, Intel Alder Lake N97 (up to 3.60GHz) 12GB LPDDR5X 512GB NVMe SSD Dual LAN Mini Desktop Computers, 4K Triply Display/2x HDMI/DP, Small PC Desktop for Business Home Office

For the price packs a good amount of power and delivers on 4k! Perfect for what I needed it for and why I brought it. Not a gaming pc or anything like that, but I knew that. So quite as well, even in this heat not heard the cooling fan. Easy to set up but win 11 always slow at installing 1st time around.
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This PC is much better than I was expecting, and it’s genuinely impressed me with the amount of power and features packed in a tiny box. It is about the size of a drink coaster and easily mountable behind a monitor, as you can see in my attacehd photos, which keeps my workspace clean and clutter-free. Despite its size, this unit is no slouch. The Intel Alder Lake N97 processor delivers solid performance for general productivity, web browsing, and media consumption. It runs Windows 11 smoothly, and thanks to the 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and the fast 512GB NVMe SSD, I’ve experienced zero lag when multitasking with multiple Chrome tabs, streaming services, and Office apps. Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports are a rare and welcome addition for networking flexibility, and the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast, stable wireless performance. Triple 4K display output works well, and the visuals were sharp and fluid. It's comparatively quiet, too—even during heavier use, fan noise is barely noticeable. While the processor is a step up from entry-level chips like the N100 or N5095, it's still not built for heavy workloads or gaming beyond casual or cloud-based options. Overall, the MINIX Z97 punches above its weight for those looking for a small, silent, and energy-efficient desktop solution. It's great for home offices, and it handles most everyday tasks with ease. If you’re not trying to push it beyond its design limits, this mini PC is a fantastic value for the performance and features it delivers.
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MINIX Z97 Mini PC dont buy this pc as it refuses to download the updates its very slow i have another pc on ddr4 and it runs a lot faster the c drive is slit into two so you have d drive aswell witch has the largest space, you only have 160 on drive c, there was no need to seperate the 512 ssd into two parts, the updates wont download or install, i have tried the stand alone downloads and they dont work, im going to buy new ssd hard drive put new windows on, im going to loose my windows key so will have to buy one witch is not cheap, iv had four pcs off amazon, they have all failed, the last hd malware ang spyware on it. amazon and the sellers dont care what crap the sell you, they just want your money amazon say give us feedback to make service better, and when they get it they dont do anything with it. between amazon and the sellers all they do is sell you rubbish and get away with it. the customers always loses. dont buy this product its a very bad pc and will not serve you, please dont waste you money
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This tiny PC looks sleek and is well suited for office tasks, internet browsing and (very light) gaming. It has Windows 11 installed. Because the mini PC is so small, the various ports are spread over three sides and unfortunately there is no USB-C port. Other than this minor issue, the mini PC works flawlessly and can even play some basic games (you're not playing Elden Ring on this though). Overall, I am impressed. There is a lot of functionality here compressed into a small space. Recommended.
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Pros: - Decent build quality - Compact size, less than half the size of similar mini PCs - Solid feel and small footprint - Dual HDMI and DP video outputs - Dual Ethernet ports for direct file transfer between PCs and internet - All USB-A ports are USB 3.0 - Quiet cooling fan operation - Responsive boot time of 33 seconds - Better PASSMARK score compared to older N100-based mini PCs - Smooth YouTube playback for FHD and 4K - Stable and comfortable CPU temperature during YouTube playback (around 42-44C) - OBS 4K/60fps recording works smoothly - Performs well for MS Office and multimedia applications - Suitable for light gaming - Surprisingly high benchmark lead in 3D graphics above N100 - Very stable even when the case is moved around during operation - Power supply LED Cons: - Cannot be placed on its side due to connector placement - Not a gaming PC despite improvements The MINIX Z97 PC with Intel Alder Lake N97 quad-core CPU (up to 3.60GHz), 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD is a tiny yet powerful mini PC. Its build quality is decent despite the plastic case, and its compact size is impressive, with a footprint similar to a square 2.5” drive. This PC cannot be placed on its side as all sides are occupied with connectors and the power switch. The Z97 stands out with dual HDMI and DP video outputs and dual Ethernet ports, making it ideal for direct file transfers between PCs when connecting to internet. Its USB-A ports are all USB 3.0, adding convenience. After completing all Windows 11 updates, the Z97 boots to the login prompt in just 33 seconds. Tests show it feels as responsive as the larger ACEMAGIC AK2 Plus Mini PC with Alder Lake N100, which has 16GB DDR4 RAM and the same SSD capacity. The cooling fan operates quietly. Benchmarking results highlight the Z97’s performance. It achieved a PASSMARK score of 1864, outperforming the N100-based AK2 with a 1318 score. This represents a 41% lead overall, with the most significant improvement in 3D graphics at 61%. CPU clock speeds ranged between 1095 and 3485MHz during tests. The CPU MARK also has a 18.5% lead. Video playback and recording capabilities are smooth. YouTube content plays well at both FHD and 4K resolutions, and OBS recording at 4K/60fps is seamless. The CPU temperature remains stable and comfortable at around 42-44C, during YouTube playback. The Z97 also handles MS Office and multimedia applications efficiently. While not a gaming PC, it performs well for light gaming. On paper, the Z97 appears 20-40% faster than the N100-based AK2. However, in real-life use, the speed difference is not highly noticeable. The most striking distinction is its size, being less than half the size of the AK2. This compact design, coupled with enhanced functionality, makes the Z97 impressive. In conclusion, the MINIX Z97 PC is a remarkable device. Despite its small size, it delivers significant improvements in performance compared to older mini PCs. Its combination of compactness and functionality is truly noteworthy. I am delighted with the order. Update 20250628 While the MINIX runs very smoothly for its tiny size, the two HDMI outputs are fairly weak and require short and high-quality HDMI cables. Otherwise, you will face frequent blackouts.
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This is the easiest computers I have ever setup. Before starting I connected a wireless keyboard/mouse and a USB port dongle. Instantly with no commands all were working allowing me to proceed with setup. Just think only 2 wires hooked to the computer. I am very satisfied
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Early days t comment but so far very impressive power for a mini PC and at a great price. Fan very quiet.
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Really nice Mini PC but only offers 3 - USB3.2 Gen1 Type A USB ports (no USB C or other enhancements) which may be a limitation for some people. It kind of seems like a waste to have to tie up 2/3 of the USB 3 ports with a Keyboard and a Mouse. Sure, you could use a Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, but I don't, so any other USB accessories I have to use with a USB3 hub. AND If you're planning on Zooming with people, you will either need a combo Bluetooth or wired TRRS Headset, or a set of speakers (which can plug into the Audio Jack) AND a USB microphone OR an TRRS cable adapter that splits out the Mic and the Speakers. Les than optimal, BUT given the size of the unit, and the fact that it has wired 2 Ethernet ports in addition to WiFi, PLUS 2 HDMI and a DP video port, it's a really nice and compact unit!
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