Today we found the new mini PC ASUS ExpertCenter PN64 in its version that incorporates the modern Intel Core i3-1220P processor from the Alder Lake family.
The Intel Core i3-1220P is a mid/low-end processor originally designed to be used in notebooks, but it is also well suited for low-power mini PCs. Its performance does not seem to be superior to most AMD 4000 and 5000 and the GPU is a limited Intel Xe with some interesting feature like its support for AV1 codec. We also find in this ASUS four video outputs, something that makes it very interesting for digital signage uses.
The rest of the specifications are not bad at all, with DDR5 memory, an NVMe SSD, 2 microphones in the chassis with noise cancellation and very good connectivity options as ASUS usually gives us in their miniPCs.
ASUS ExpertCenter PN64 Specifications
The engine of the ASUS ExpertCenter PN64-S3032MD is a recent Intel Core-i3 1220P processor, a Deca Core manufactured in 10 nm. This chip includes 8 efficient cores, 2 high performance cores reaching up to 4.4 Gz and 12 threads. The GPU is an Intel UHD Gen12 (limited Intel Xe) with 64 execution units.
For RAM we have two SO-DIMM DDR5-4800 MHz slots with 8 GB installed and supporting up to 32 GB. On the storage side we have an M.2 2280 SSD for PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe with 256 GB capacity installed and a free bay for 2.5-inch SATA3 storage drives.
Other features
Network connectivity is guaranteed thanks to a module with WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and a 2.5G Ethernet port. As connectors we have for all tastes, on the front we have a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a 3.5 mm audio jack. On the back we also have a wide variety with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB 3.2 Gen 2, another USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 video output and charging input PD input.
The power supply is external 90W and the weight of this little guy is 1 kg.
Pricing and availability
- The ASUS ExpertCenter PN64-S3032MD mini PC with Intel Core-i3 1220P will be available on Amazon for $699 aprox.
I swore I’ll try to not comment on pricing but … how much ? I mean there’s laptops using this CPU that are cheaper.
You can also probably get the new M2 Mac Mini for this price and I think that will run circles around this i3. Maybe if it had an i7…
Normally Asus always brings out its products at high prices and then they go down quickly.
I think for the minPCs the Chinese ones are just so much cheaper. Instead of Asus I’d probably just get a Mac mini If I were willing to pay more.
I’m not that much of an Apple fan but their M1 and M2 chips are in a different league.