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Review of - ATOPNUC Tiny PC - AMD Ryzen 3 3250U - 8GB RAM - 256GB nvme SSD - Mini Computer
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I purchased this tiny computer to set it up as a - pi-hole - adblocking system, running Ubuntu Linux and the pi-hole application.
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The ATOPNUC MX30 tiny computer was on sale for Amazon Prime Day for quite a nice, inexpensive price.
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To understand what this computer is, imagine a laptop computer's internals, but without a screen or keyboard. That is what these little computer units are.
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SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The MX30 contains an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U, which is a laptop CPU with 2 cores / 4 threads, (a couple generations back cpu, but just fine - the ATOPNUC website has similar models with newer CPUs but their pricing is much higher to match). The MX30 comes with one (1) 8GB 2400MT brand name Crucial dram SODIMM installed. However, its in a standard laptop style setup with 2 SODIMM slots, so both can be populated so that the system's RAM operates in dual channel mode. The MX30 also comes with a brand name Kingston Gen4 256GB nvme drive. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U CPU can likely only operate at Gen3 speeds, but the Kingston Gen4 nvme is fully compatible. Tthe MX30 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and activated (Windows 11 Pro key checked and copied into a text file using the ShowKeyPlus windows application). The little MX30 unit has the HDMI and USB ports noted in the amazon product description. Note also that the unit I received, very nicely, did not have the antopnuc logo on the top, just a clean black surface. I've left the clear plastic shipping protective sheet on for now.
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During 1st setup, Windows 11 Pro allowed me to complete setup using a local account (YAY!) because I did not plug in the network cable during 1st Windows 11 boot and setup.
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PRACTICAL USAGE
For someone who needs a computer for tasks like running LibreOffice, Krita, GIMP, Mozilla Thunderbird email, Brave or Vivaldi web browser, vlc media player, and other software for basic office tasks, this 2 core 4 thread CPU computer has plenty of capacity. This is not a computer for video editing or high end computer gaming. This tiny computer has a niche and it seems to work well within those limitations. The built in AMD Radeon graphics also seem superior to equivalent onboard graphics in Intel CPUs. For a small business just getting started, a few of these truly inexpensive tiny pcs, plus some monitors, keyboards, and mice, would make a great approach to getting small business office computing going on a minimal budget.
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UPGRADING
There are 4 rubber grommets on the bottom of the computer that need to be removed to open the computer. A small Philips head screwdriver with a long neck is all that is needed to remove the recessed screws under the grommets. Inside, the are 2 standard laptop type SODIMM slots for DRAM, 1 slot for an nvme SSD drive, and bracket built into the top part of the unit with a built in adapter cable on the mobo for installing a 2.5 inch SATA drive. It took just 10 minutes, with my own extra nvme ssd and 2 8GB SODIMMs on hand, to turn the MX30 into a system with 16GB of DRAM and 1TB of nvme ssd storage. However, even at 8GB ram and 256GB nvme storage as shipped, the MX30 is more than capable of running Ubuntu Linux and the opensource linux pi-hole software application, which is what I bought this tiny computer for.
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COMPANY WEBSITE
The company - ATOPNUC - has a website with other models, mostly not available on amazon. The support information the website is scant however. The website doesn't even include instructions for opening the unit to install upgrades. However, that process was simple and painless, as noted above.
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GOOD VALUE FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE
The atopnuc website also include numerous other models in a similar housing, but with higher end CPUs, more DRAM, and larger NVME drives, but at expected and reasonable high prices.
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This tiny computer is by far the best system of its type and price point that I could find after scouring amazon for these tiny computers for quite a while.
| Standing screen display size | 20 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 3840x2160 |
| Processor | 4.1 GHz apple_ci5 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2400 MHz |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 |
| Chipset Brand | Intel |
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 4 |
