Leaving HDMI PC sticks aside, we started to see really small, pocket-sized Intel mini-PCs last year with ECS LIVA Q2 micro PC with a dual-core N4100 Gemini Lake processor and measuring 70x70x33.4 mm.
CHUWI managed to design an even smaller Gemini Lake Mini PC with Larkbox mini PC powered by a Celeron J4115 quad-core processor and measuring 61x61x43mm (2.4″ x 2.4″ x 1.7″). It looks like they may have launched a new 2.4-inch Mini PC form factor, as at least two other models with pretty much the same dimensions, but different specifications, have come to our attention.
XCY X51 2.4-inch Mini PC
- SoC – Intel Celeron N4100 quad-core Gemini Lake processor @ 1.1 / 2.4 GHz with Intel UHD Graphics 600; 6W TDP
- System Memory – 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage – 128GB M.2 2242 SSD, MicroSD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz
- Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, digital audio via HDMI
- Connectivity – Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB Type-C port for power
- Misc – Power button, cooling fan with “almost no noise”
- Power Supply – TBD via USB-C port
- Dimensions – 62 x 62 x 42 mm
- Weight – 121 grams
Compared to Chuwi Larkbox, XCY X51 mini PC has a slightly slower 6W Celeron N4100 processor instead of a 10W Celeron J4115 processor, more RAM (8GB vs 6GB), and a 128GB M.2 SSD instead of 128GB eMMC flash + an empty M.2 SSD socket. So the out-of-the-box performance may end up being faster thanks to the built-in SSD.
There’s no information about the power supply [Update: It’s the same 12V/2A power adapter as used in CHUWI Larkbox], and as a reminder, Chuwi used a non-standard 12V power adapter connected to the USB-C port. The ports arrangement is really similar so they may have sourced the enclosure from the same manufacturer.
XCY X51 2.4-inch mini PC is available now for $179 including DHL shipping, or $30 more than CHUWI Larkbox (Indiegogo), but for that price you’d get extra memory and faster storage, and would not need to wait for a crowdfunding campaign to end before getting your device shipped.
GMK mini PC
GMK 2.4-inch mini PC has the exact same external design as XCY X51 model above but slightly different specifications:
- SoC – Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core Gemini Lake processor @ 2.5 / 2.7 GHz with Intel UHD Graphics 600; 10W TDP
- System Memory – 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage – 128GB M.2 2242 SSD, MicroSD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 up to 4K @ 60 Hz
- Audio – 3.5mm audio jack, digital audio via HDMI
- Connectivity – Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 2×2 MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2
- USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB Type-C port for power
- Misc – Power button, cooling fan with “almost no noise”
- Power Supply – TBD via USB-C port
- Dimensions – 62 x 62 x 42 mm
- Weight – 125 grams
It’s unclear whether the 2×2 MIMO is an extra feature compared to XCY model or the latter forgot to mention it, but the only real difference looks to be the faster Celeron J4125 processors. Users interested in getting Ethernet may be out of luck with this form factor.
At this point, it’s likely there’s one manufacturer offering an ODM design, and their customers can make some adjustments on request like changing the processor. memory, storage, and the enclosure’s marking/color.
GMK website shows it’s a fairly new company (June 2019) comprised of R&D and production team coming from Meizu, Teclast, Chuwi, and Alldocube. GMK mini PC is not available yet, and the company plans to launch the device on a crowdfunding platform in August/September.
Via Liliputing and AndroidPC.es
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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Interesting to see that now crowdfunding is more of a way of advertising than a funding platform
Nevertheless interesting gadgets
Nice boxes! I was already impressed by my own 12 x 11 x 5 cm Celeron box, but these boxes are tiny compared to that.
Looks good, although future Atom generations (Tremont, Gracemont) could end up destroying these as Intel pushes stronger Xe graphics to the segment and hybrid/heterogeneous x86.
For some reason only known to XCY their Aliexpress site has two listings for this device. If you click the article link to the product page, then click specification on that page, the power adapter is listed on left at bottom.
Good for juggling practice. I would prefer an internal power supply with any mini PC. Even if it makes it twice the size. Pity the expensive Mac Mini is the only option.
The first one that offers power and data passthrough via the USC-C port will sell well because the ability to add additional USB and other ports using an optional dock will be rather more attractive to a wider audience.
This is where the Larkbox failed and missed a golden opportunity to take control of a rather large market share.
beautiful !
GMK guys have setup a crowdfunding page for their “NucBox” on Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gmk-nucbox-most-powerful-palm-sized-4k-mini-pc/coming_soon/x/1760545
Price will start at $159, and they also have an 8GB/512GB model in the works. The campaign has not started yet.