ECS introduces one of the smallest Intel mini PCs with LIVA Q Apollo Lake mini PC in 2017, followed by LIVA Q2 Gemini Lake micro PC the following year both just 70x70x31~33mm in size. Ian reviewed LIVA Q2 Micro PC with Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18.10 last year, and he was impressed with the performance considering the form factor, with the mini PC being perfectly suitable for browsing the web, home or office use, or as a digital signage solution.
ECS has now updated its original LIVA Q model with the same processor options, but with LIVA Q1L offering two Gigabit Ethernet ports and one HDMI output, while LIVA Q1D comes with two video outputs (HDMI and DisplayPort) and a single Ethernet port.
ECS LIVA Q1L/Q1D specifications:
- SoC (one or the other)
- Intel Apollo Lake Pentium N4200 quad-core processor @ 1.1 / 2.5 GHz with 18EU Intel HD graphics; 6W TDP
- Intel Apollo Lake Celeron N3450 quad-core processor @ 1.1 / 2.2 GHz with 12EU Intel HD graphics; 6W TDP
- Intel Apollo Lake Celeron N3350 dual-core processor @ 1.1 / 2.4 GHz with 12EU Intel HD graphics; 6W TDP
- Memory – 2GB/4GB LPDDR4
- Storage – 32 or 64GB eMMC flash, MicroSD slot up to 128GB
- Video Output
- LIVA Q1L – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDMI CEC support
- LIVA Q1D – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDMI CEC support + DisplayPort up to 4K @ 60 Hz
- Connectivity
- LIVA Q1L – 2x Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.2 via Intel M.2 2230 card
- LIVA Q1D – Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.2 via Intel M.2 2230 card
- USB – 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 port, 1x USB 2.0 ports
- Misc – Kensington lock support
- Power Supply – DC 12V / 2A (24W)
- Dimensions – 74 x 74 x 34.6 mm
Both models will ship with Windows 10. The enclosure is slightly bigger (74x74x34mm vs 70x70x31mm), and the mini PC also gained one extra USB 3.1 port. HDMI CEC support is apparently new, and Liliputing reports optional support for an LTE module and micro-SIM card slot.
That’s about all we know so far, and no pricing has been announced, and the company has just to update its products page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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They’re about the size of my old Dockstar. The vendor should definitely show the photo of a hand next to them for scale because they definitely fit in one hand. It’s quite rare to find two RJ45 or two HDMI connectors in such a size!
Nice size but same specs. Mini PC’s have been stalled since 4 years ago, the improvements have been so minimal that I feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I really hope AMD releases a couple of Zen2 ultra low power CPUs for 2020 in the range of 8-10W, just 2c/4t is totally ok, just to make something low budget for the masses.
Me too i m waiting for a minipc with onboard ryzen 3500U (15w tdp) … just 3x the perf of my old 5005U for the same tdp (passmark multicores 2664 vs 7842) and a far better gpu
Not quite 3500U but Zotac announced two boxes with 3200U:
ZBOX CA621 nano (fanless)
ZBOX MA621 nano (fan)
https://www.cnx-software.com/2020/01/06/zotac-reveals-two-15w-amd-ryzen-3-mini-pcs-zbox-ma621-and-ca621-nano/
I posted a link to the Zotac side-by-side comparison and it got changed to the self link, why?
Survival. Those were already covered on CNX.
Your actions have the opposite effect.. having an outbound link to a primary source has higher relevance and authenticity vs self-linking. Increased traffic to the mfg would also lead to potential sponsorship opportunities. It would’ve been more effective to commented that CNX has covered the topic at the link, like commonly done on news sites with integrity, rather than modifying my post.
LIVA Q2 has like zero availability on market. It should be available in multiple cpu options but it isn’t. I can’t find single store
Yes, a few years ago when the previous liva twin nic machine was announced, I wanted to buy one. None of the UK distributors listed in the ecs site actually sold sold ecs any more!
Some ECS products are sold as “white label” without ECS brand. For instance in France this “LDLC CUBIC MP1” is in fact an ECS mini-PC: https://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00278645.html
is it possible to make a PC *too* small? For some applications, I think the answer is yes. The problems start when wired connectors have to be located on 3 or 4 sides of the box due to lack of space. Cables and connectors take up space too and the end result can be less effective use of shelf space. If the box is just slightly larger, connectors can be more practically located on just front and back. For example, the Zotac MA621 is just slightly larger but the overall result is a more logical port layout allowing for better… Read more »
This is totally true, especially when ports are not optimally split between all sides. Typically an apparently good distribution consists in placing network+display+power on the back and USB on the front… Until you want to plug the keyboard+mouse on the back and realize there is zero USB port left on this side, and are forced to use the front ones. This is important in server racks used in small companies because it complicates the stacking of multiple small machines. And agreed, it can be the same on a shelf. Nowadays I tend to think that you should be able to… Read more »