The race to release mini PC’s is on!
These low-cost computers have become attractive because of its price, its power for those not demanding high end specs and their small size!
For today’s review, I am checking out a Kamrui Mini PC. While small, it’s a tad big thicker in terms of height than other fanless mini PC’s that I have reviewed but it still is small.
So, the Kamrui PC is a mini computer utilizing the current Intel Celeron N5105 technology with 8GB of Ram and this version is a 256 GB harddrive and comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro.
The video chipset is an Intel UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 24 EU) with 1024 MB with audio adapter, Intel Jasper Lake PCH – SATA AHCI Controller. Hard drive is a CYX-SSD-S1000 and I received the 256GB version.
As for ports, you get two 3.0 USB, 2 USB 2.0 port, a TF slot, 2 HDMI ports, 3.5mm audio jack, SD slot and a LAN port. Has TPM 2.0. Uses Realtek 8821CE Wireless Lan 802.11ac PCI-E NIC and Bluetooth 5.2. The network card is a RealTek Semiconductor RTL8167/8111 PCI-E.
Again, it utilizes 8GB of RAM (LPDDR4SDRAM).
The computer comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Professional and at ver. 21H2, with a few updates needed, and I updated the drivers and the computer to 22H2.
Everything worked right out the box. I was able to connect my keyboard, mouse, an XBOX One controller and an HDMI cable and every thing ran as expected.
After I performed the Windows 11 updates, it was time to test this computer out.
For the most part, with mini-PC’s, you will have no problems with a browser, checking mail, watching YouTube, no problems whatsoever of browsing the Internet and having small software programs installed. If anything, this is a straightforward PC for people to do basic work and utilize the Internet to browse or check e-mail or do video meetings.
But what this computer is not recommended is full on gaming with high specs.
While it does get hot, fortunately there is thermal throttling. Currently on standstill, the core temp is 45C and max was at 55C. When I pushed the machine, I saw it rise and the case did get hot. But bare in mind, that was during a stress test of several hours straight.
I began installing applications and you want to make sure everything is done updating because you will get a bit of lag. I ran everything via WiFi than ethernet and everything was running great. 4K video through YouTube, movies through VUDU. Internet browsing was quick.
So, for those who want it for strictly Internet browsing, printing, scanning and paying the bills, doing basic video chats and checking on social media, this computer will suffice. Also, considering how small it is, some may consider it for traveling. Tested Zoom with a Logitech webcam and Facebook and everything worked fine!
But I can see parents or grandparents using this computer easily because they only use their computer for basic use and are not on it that long. Add Office or OpenOffice and they are good to go. If anything, I recommend utilizing cloud backup software such as One Drive or Google Drive, if you use this as a primary computer, so your documents and other photos are backed up.
OK, now let’s try a few gaming applications on it via STEAM. Of course, I know the limitations of this computer Intel UHD Graphics and I’m not aiming to play Fortnite, Overwatch or the latest Assasins Creed, Resident Evil or Yakuza games on it.
But I wanted to see how far can I go with this computer.
Tested numerous games via Steam and XBOX One Controller and took the graphic resolution down to 720p for certain games. Some games just didn’t load at too high of a resolution.
Lower resolution fighting games, 2D fighting games worked perfectly.
I tried the 2008 game, “Bully: Scholarship Edition” and this game played flawlessly. I did reduce the resolution to 720p for this game. For me, this is great because I have a ton of games made around this time that are on backlogged, so I know I can use the Kamuri PC on this computer.
I then tested a high end game and as expected, it was stuttering and so slow.
But I felt that having the ability to have Steam run many games from the ’90s to present that are not graphically intensive nor a space hog, you literally can use this as your Steam box.
I then tested Roblox and yes, this game ran perfectly fine. I tried both older and a few newer games and it ran just fine. Loading sequences sometimes lagged but that could be loading in general.
I then had to test out emulation but the results were less satisfactory. While certain games were playable after changing the resolution to 720p, loading screens were bad for certain console emulation games running via Dolphin, handheld console games were just fine.
I did test out a VR app via Virtual Desktop via my Meta Quest 2 connecting to the app via Windows 11 on this mini PC and it worked just fine!
JUDGMENT CALL:
Personally, if I wanted to upgrade your parents or grand parents older computer with something inexpensive that gets the job done, the Kamrui Mini PC works perfectly good for the basic to casual user. Heck, if you want a computer for a family member or loved one or something for travel that can connect to a TV via HDMI, this mini computer would work perfectly.
But it’s important to emphasize, this is for doing the basics. May it be college work on a word processor, work on a spreadsheet, checking social media or browsing the Internet, it does the basics well and you can play games that are not memory hogs or graphic hogs.
But for those who want to do power user type of things, when it comes to audio/video or photo editing or high graphic intensive applications/games, then that’s where investing in a more expensive computer comes in. There is no substitution for that.
I am quite impressed with the Kamrui PC and I do like the fact that it’s inexpensive, it’s small and it does well for most needs of non-gamers and people who just need an inexpensive computer that gets the job done.
Do I have any concerns? Well, while it does have thermal throttling, I know full well of how internal heat can kill off hardware in a course of years. But as long as you don’t try to utilize powerful applications, you should be just fine with the Kamrui Mini PC. Recommended!
