MINIX NEO Z100-0dB, review: new fanless mini PC with Intel N100

Product details

Unboxing MINIX NEO Z100-0dB

The MINIX NEO Z100-0dB fanless computer comes in a cardboard box with the classic design of the brand and foam protections. Inside we find the small computer with its contents, manual, HDMI cable, VESA bracket and charger 12V 3A (36 W).

Description

The MINIX NEO Z100-0dB computer has a robust aluminum and steel construction. On the front we have a status LED, power button, audio jack in / out, two USB-A 3.2 and a USB-C 3.2 (10Gbps) data and micro SD card reader. In the rear area we find two USB-A 2.0, two HDMI 2.1, Ethernet 2.5 GB and for power supply we have a round DC port. On the sides we have the Wifi antennas and a BIOS reset button.

Inside this PC we find the M.2 2230 adapter with Wifi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2 (Intel AX201) with two fairly large external antennas. We also have a 512GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 2280 NVMe SSD installed and for RAM we have a single slot for a SODIMM DDR4 3200 MHz.

• RAM: 16 GB DDR4 3200 MHz max / 1x SODIMM.
• Storage: 512 GB 1x NVMe 2280.
• Networking: Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 (Intel AX201) / 1x Ethernet 2.5 GB (RTL8125BG-CG)

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We start the MINIX NEO Z100-0dB by pressing the front power button and a blue led is activated (green in standby). In a few seconds we are on the Windows 11 Pro 64bit desktop perfectly activated and without additional software. We have all the drivers installed correctly and we update it without problems with the Windows Update system. We found that the hardware moves smoothly in a basic use of desktop apps, we can load many tabs navigation without slowdowns. A valid computer to use office apps, multimedia and also design with medium or light load without demanding 3D.

• OS Version installed: Windows 11 Pro 64bit installed .
• Software pre-installed: None.
• Tutorials: Control with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Networks, Storage, RAM and Ports

In the connectivity section of the MINIX NEO Z100-0dB PC we find a Wifi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2 wireless adapter (Intel AX201) and a 2.5 GB Ethernet port (RTL8125BG-CG). The results in speed are quite good and the range is correct.

• Network performance: Two external Wifi antennas / Range 42 dBm / Link 5G 1922 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

We tested the storage speed of the M.2 NVMe 3x 2280 disk installed by default and observed that it behaves normally. For the performance tests we have one SODIMM with 16 GB of RAM DDR5 4800 MHz with Single Channel configuration.

• USB ports: USB-A 3.2 (10 Gbps) / USB-C 3.2 (10 Gbps, Only Data)
• Tutorials: Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to a SSD / Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks

Processor, performance and thermal

The MINIX NEO Z100-0dB integrates the Intel N100 (Alder Lake-N) chip manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7) that has four cores and four threads that moves up to 3.2 GHz. In the graphics section we have an Intel UHD Graphics GPU up to 750 MHz with 24 EU (the N95 has 16EU). This processor has a power consumption of only 6 W TDP and the performance results are a significant improvement over its smaller siblings.

GPU performance is limited for multimedia and light gaming use. This small computer is suitable for browsing, multimedia playback with KODI, office applications, editing applications and very light 3D games.

MINIX NEO Z100-0dB Benchmarks

We perform several tests with the MINIX NEO Z100-0dB, the performance is in line with these Celeron type processors manufactured in 10 nm, although it is a slight improvement over the previous Intel N5095. The installed Intel UHD Graphics GPU, which as we can see is limited for use with basic 3D games.

In this mini PC MINIX NEO Z100-0dB we have a fanless cooling system, so we have a mini PC that does not emit any noise. At the top we have an aluminum block with fins that exchange the temperature with the ambient air.

As we can see the thermal performance is good, the system keeps the temperatures under control, the upper area gets hot but we have no performance losses even with the CPU at maximum. This processor with its 10 nm is efficient and should not worry us in thermals.

• Power consumption: Off 0.9W / Sleep 8W / Basic usage 10W / Max. 27W.
• Thermal: Idle 40ºC / Basic usage 42ºC / Max. 77ºC / CPU 3.0 GHz max. / Performance up to 100%.
• Gaming performance: LoL 75ºC / CPU 2.5 GHz on average.
• Noise: 0 dBA / Passive.

Games

We passed performance test with games on this MINIX NEO Z100-0dB, the results are in line with this type of GPU integrated into low-power Intel. As we see Intel UHD Graphics GPU with 24EU is suitable for games in 1080p or 720p quality depending on the 3D load, it is not suitable for heavy AAA games with many 3D elements. As for emulators at most we are left with some simple Wii, PS2 and similar titles, we will not be able to play very demanding 3D emulators.

• Setting: High quality / 1080p resolution / No VSync / Play emulators with RetoArch.
• On models with integrated Intel HD GPU on low and 720p resolution.

With this  PC it is possible to play titles like LoL with a good frame rate, in more demanding games like Fornite with the graphics settings in performance mode is not very playable, as for Diablo immortal we stay at 21/28fps. If we are interested especially in the Gaming section is better to go for a PC with a dedicated GPU and we will have a much smoother experience.

Video and audio tests

Playback test

In the video area the MINIX NEO Z100-0dB mini PC has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics GPU that features a VPU with hardware decoding support for HEVC and VP9 codecs, have support for the modern AV1 video codec but don’t work with Edge browser. This processor has support for 10bit color and also has native HDR support. This PC is perfectly valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX.

• Video outputs: 2x HDMI 2.1  / HDR / 4K@60fps Max.
• Audio outputs: HDMI up to 7.1 / Stereo audio jack.
• Tutorials: Install KODI with add-ons / Auto refresh rate / Multichannel audio on Windows

Video test

• * The maximum bit rate depends on the internal storage, usb port, Ethernet or the limitations with our SAMBA Network.
• SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have some frameskip in very heavy files.

• Native – Supports the format directly in our AV receiver or similar / More info.
• Core – Only the 5.1 core of the format is played so we go to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info.
• PCM – Only stereo downmixing from DD or DTS.

Streaming services

We used the MINIX NEO Z100-0dB mini PC to perform several tests with the streaming services we pass some test for Youtube, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others with their native apps or using the most compatible browser. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the best known streaming services, how to configure them and what requirements are necessary to see content in FullHD or 4K quality.

• Performance: Has hardware acceleration for AV1 4K codec on Youtube (not with Edge).
• Tutorial: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC for PC

Conclusions and purchase links

Score

Opinion

Where to buy MINIX NEO Z100-0dB