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

Product details

Unboxing MINIX NEO Z100-Aero

The MINIX NEO Z100-Aero has 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 small MINIX NEO Z100-Aero has a fairly classic design, on the front we have a status LED and some of its connectors easily accessible. On the sides of the case we have the power button, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Video + PD, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DP 1.4 , 2x Ethernet 1G+2.5G and 1x Audio Jack.

The bottom cover is removable, there we can see the disk installed NVMe M.2 2280 of 512 GB, has DDR4 3200 MHz RAM memory of 16 GB in a SODIMM and allows to mount a SATA 2.5″ disk. As cooling we have a semi-passive fan in the lower area.

• Networking: Wifi 5 + Bluetooth 5.1 (Intel AC-9560) / 1x Gigabit Ethernet.
• NOTE: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port supports Video + PD 100W.

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We boot up the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero 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. The system moves smoothly in desktop use, it is a small computer valid for using office, multimedia, and design apps with medium or light load.

• OS: Windows 11 Pro 64bit / Linux optional.
• Software: No preinstalled apps / Antivirus check = OK
• BIOS: ESC access / BIOS AMI text / WOL / Auto Power ON / Power ON RTC.
• Tutorials: Control with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

In terms of connectivity in the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero PC we find a Wifi 5 + Bluetooth 5.1 wireless adapter (Intel AC-9560) with acceptable speed and two Gigabit + 2.5G Ethernet ports (Realtek). The SSD is a FORESEE XP1000F512G PCIe 3.0 4x but is installed in a M.2 2280 NVMe 1x port, this limits its performance to somewhat higher speeds than SATA. The RAM comes in a SODIMM and is 16 GB of RAM DDR4 3200 MHz with Single Channel configuration.

• Wifi: Range 42 dBm / Link 5G 480 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.
• USB Ports: 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 / 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Video + PD 100W.

Processor, performance and thermal

This MINIX NEO Z100-Aero computer integrates the Intel N100 (Alder Lake-N) chip manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7) which 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 16 EU). This processor has a power consumption of only 6 W TDP. This computer is adequate performance for multimedia and office apps, suitable for use with KODI or IPTV, light editing applications and games with little 3D load.

MINIX NEO Z100-Aero Benchmarks

We performed several performance tests with the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero, the performance is in line with these Celeron processors manufactured in 10 nm although it is a significant improvement over the Intel N5095. The installed Intel UHD Graphics GPU, as we can see, is limited for running simple games without excessive 3D load.

In the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero we have a good thermal performance, the system keeps temperatures under control with its semi-passive fan and is quiet. At idle it is almost inaudible and in games it is audible, but not much more noise.

• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Idle 8W / Usage 13W / Max 19W.
• Thermal: 40ºC – 71ºC Max / 68ºC Gaming / CPU 2.3 GHz Max / Performance up to 100%.
• Noise: 36 dBA Max / Variable RPM / Semi-passive.

Games

We tested games with the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero, the results are in line with this type of GPU integrated into low-power Intel. As we can see Intel UHD Graphics GPU with 24 EU is suitable for games in 1080p or 720p quality, it is not suitable for heavy games with many 3D elements.

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

It is possible to use this PC to play titles like LoL with a fairly high frame rate, in more demanding games like Fornite we do not have a good experience. As for emulators at most we stay in some simple Wii, PS2 and similar titles, we can not with demanding 3D emulators.

Video and audio tests

Playback test

For video playback, the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero mini PC has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics GPU with VPU support for HEVC, VP9 and AV1 codecs. There is also support for HDR10 and multi-channel audio up to 7.1. 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

• Bitrate max: 350 Mbps.
• HW = With Hardware acceleration / SW = No Hardware acceleration.

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

Streaming services

We used the MINIX NEO Z100-Aero to pass several tests with the most popular streaming services, the results are generally positive. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the most popular streaming services, in it we explain how to get FullHD quality or up to 4K resolutions.

• 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

Opinion

Score

Where to buy