ASUS PN51 Mini PC review: This AMD-powered compact workstation is a beast
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
ASUS has a mini PC on the market place that offers something a lilliputian different from the contest. Instead of going with Intel, the company opted for a Ryzen 5000 processor. Information technology's the aforementioned AMD mobile processors you'd notice in loftier-stop laptops similar the HP ENVY x360 fifteen, which we adored then already ASUS is off to a expert starting time.
Throw in expandable DDR4 RAM of up to 64GB running at 3200MHz, NVMe storage, and enough of ports to claw upwards all your accessories, and yous've got one compact workstation. If y'all're searching for a small grade factor PC that can double as a piece of work and gaming PC without requiring external GPU support, this ASUS PN51 may only exist what you're searching for.
Size doesn't affair
ASUS PN51 Mini PC
Bottom line: Going with AMD's 5000 series processors, ASUS was able to pack some serious firepower inside the PN51. Whether y'all're looking for a modest PC for working from home or a pocket-sized box to play some light games on, there'due south plenty to beloved about this mini PC.
The Good
- Compact size
- VESA support
- AMD Ryzen CPUs
- Good integrated GPU
- Upgradability
The Bad
- Understated design
- No RAM or SSD in cheapest model
ASUS PN51 Mini PC: Price and availability
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
ASUS has the PN51 starting from around $350. That's for a mini PC with an AMD Ryzen 5300U, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB NVMe SSD. Availability should be sometime in 2022, which will be ideal for those who are considering a balance of working from home and commuting to the office.
The verbal model we have in for review is currently listed on Amazon UK for £950.
ASUS PN51 Mini PC: Tech specs
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
| Category | ASUS PN51 | GMK NucBox2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Small form gene | Small form factor |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5300U AMD Ryzen five 5500U AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | eighth Intel Core i5-8259U |
| OS | Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Home |
| RAM | 4GB DDR4 3200MHz 8GB DDR4 3200MHz 16GB DDR4 3200MHz 32GB DDR4 3200MHz | 8GB DDR4 |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega | Intel UHD 655 |
| Storage | two.5-inch 1TB HDD M.2 PCIe 128GB SSD Thousand.2 PCIe 256GB SSD Thou.two PCIe 512GB SSD M.2 PCIe 1TB SSD 1x 2.5 SSD bay | 256GB SATA M.2 SSD 1x 2.5 SSD bay |
| LAN | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v.0, 2x2 Wi-Fi v, Bluetooth 4.2, 2x2 | Intel Air-conditioning-7265 Wi-Fi 5 (Bluetooth 4.ii) |
| Ports | 2x USB-C 3.i Gen2 3x USB-A 3.ane Gen1 1x 4-in-1 Card Reader 1x Consumer Infrared Sensor 2x Microphone Assortment 1x Audio Jack 1x K-Lock(side) 1x HDMI 1x Configurable Port (option: VGA/COM/DP/LAN) 1x Gb LAN 1x DC-in 1x Realtek 8111EP RJ45 LAN | 4x USB-A 3.0 1x USB-C 2x HDMI 2.0 1x Gb LAN microSD reader 3.5mm sound jack |
| Price | $350 | $430 |
The ASUS PN51 PC unit we received for review rocked an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 5700U CPU, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD.
ASUS PN51 Mini PC: What I like
In that location's and so much to appreciate most the ASUS PN51 and information technology all starts with the specifications. The option of an AMD Ryzen v 5300U, Ryzen five 5500U, or Ryzen 7 5700U makes this one killer mini PC for productivity and some lite gaming or media consumption. Information technology's possible to pair upwards the CPU with DDR4 RAM running at 3200MHz, which comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB capacities.
The ASUS PN51 has a great selection of AMD Ryzen CPUs, RAM, and storage.
For storage, in that location's a wide range of NVMe SSDs available. The RAM and storage can be upgraded too, and then it'south possible to purchase the most affordable model with the processor yous need and then purchase the necessary RAM and SSD afterwards. Similar the GMK NucBox2, there's the possibility of installing a ii.5-inch SSD to further aggrandize the bachelor data storage capacity.
Getting inside the PC couldn't be easier. At that place'due south a panel underneath the chassis that can exist removed one time 4 screws accept been extracted. This reveals the two RAM slots, two.5-inch mounting expanse, too as admission to the K.two slot. Mounting the PC to the rear of a monitor couldn't exist easier, thanks to the included brackets and screws. ASUS packs everything y'all need to get up and running.
The design of the ASUS PN51 is zip special, merely the port selection is fantabulous. Upfront nosotros have an infrared sensor, microSD menu reader, USB-C port, USB-A 3.0 port, and microphone array. There's also a storage action indicator. On the rear are HDMI and DisplayPort, DC power, 1Gb LAN, USB-C, and two USB-A 3.0 ports.
The AMD Ryzen vii 5700U is mightily impressive. It blows the competition out the water when compared to other Intel-powered mini PCs, though granted a few of them will be considerably more affordable. This mobile processor impressed us inside laptops, and it feels right at home within a compact desktop PC.
| Category | ASUS PN51 | GMK NucBox | GMK NucBox2 | Minisforum U850 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrystalDiskMark | ii,176MB/s read one,489MB/southward | 441MB/s read 333MB/s write | two,190MB/s read 1,297MB/southward write | two,542MB/s read one,271MB/s write |
| PCMark ten | 5,073 | ane,572 | 4,076 | 2,819 |
| Geekbench five | 1,197 (unmarried-core) half dozen,892 (multi-cadre) | 434 (single-cadre) 1,318 (multi-cadre) | 962 (unmarried-core) three,123 (multi-core) | 666 (unmarried-core) 1,884 (multi-core) |
The Western Digital NVMe drive cannot accept advantage of PCIe 4.0, unfortunately, which shows in the results for CrystalDiskMark. Only at almost 2,200MB/south for reading information off the drive, this is still more than platonic for booting Windows and all your favorite productivity apps. Throw on your favorite games and you lot'll also take a great time.
The integrated Radeon Vega GPU is more than capable of treatment even the more demanding mod games at 1080p, or 1440p if y'all don't mind turning downwardly the visual settings a footling. This PC isn't designed with gaming in mind, but it's good to know you tin also savour a little downtime.
ASUS PN51 Mini PC: What I don't like
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
This mini PC may have an understated design, but it has some serious firepower.
I'thou not the biggest fan of the design. It's practiced enough in that the chassis is sturdy to take a knock or few, and really if you install the PN51 on the rear of your display, you won't be looking at it at all. Still, ASUS could accept worked in additional design accents to move away from the nighttime slab of plastic look.
You'll likewise need to picket out for the model of ASUS PN51 you purchase. The near affordable option for $350 doesn't come with RAM or an SSD. This does confuse things when comparing the PC against its competitors.
The GMK NucBox2 has a weaker CPU, simply does come with RAM and storage for $430, which makes the $350 a little on the pricey side when taking into account RAM and SSD.
ASUS PN51 Mini PC: Competition
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
The ASUS PN51 is well positioned in the mini PC market. The choice of a Ryzen 5 or Ryzen vii CPU (from the 5000 series) is a good footstep when going confronting Intel mini PCs that ofttimes don't go beyond an Intel Core i5. while it would be great to meet this small PC powered by a Zen 3 AMD Ryzen CPU, we'll demand to wait some time for them to come up out.
The closest competitor to the PN51 that we've reviewed thus far would exist the GMK NucBox2 and Minisforum U850. Both of these mini PCs are similar in design and specifications, just the NucBox2 has the better (though older) Intel CPU.
When compared against the ASUS PN51, even the Intel Core i5-8259U is no match for the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U. The functioning available with this height model from ASUS is perfect for working from abode.
Should you buy the ASUS PN51 Mini PC?
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Cardinal
Who it's for:
- If you want a modest form factor PC
- If you need a small PC for full general productivity
- If you want to piece of work from domicile
- If you lot want to play some games
Who it isn't for:
- If you lot need to exercise intense tasks
- If you want a high-performance PC
- If you want the most affordable mini PC
The ASUS PN51 has plenty going for it and is a considerable upgrade over the PN50. Rocking AMD Ryzen 5 and vii processors from the 5000 series, y'all won't have whatsoever issues getting work done through the day. Information technology's also possible to do some gaming on the side, making this an infrequent mini PC for the home or small-scale office. But don't expect the mobile CPU to handle extreme tasks.
While the design isn't going to win any awards, the PN51 gets the job done. ASUS includes all the necessary mounting brackets for attaching the PC to the rear of a monitor. There's besides an external brick and plenty of ports to permit for all your desk-bound peripherals to be connected. It's besides relatively quiet when y'all're not pushing the processor hard, which is a bonus for a tranquility setting.
For the price, ASUS has a winner on its easily. Just be certain when checking out that you have all the necessary components equally the base model does not come with an SSD or RAM. When taking those two parts into account, information technology's still a great deal and one of my favorite compact PCs to-date.
Minor & tough
ASUS PN51 Mini PC
Work from anywhere
ASUS included everything you need to create a capable workstation with powerful AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors. While the cheapest model may omit RAM and an SSD, information technology's still well positioned confronting other mini PCs.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/asus-pn51-mini-pc-review
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