high spec mini pc from china

[ghgan1]

Anyone bought mini pc made in china? seem to be value for money as compare to intel nuc for gen 8 cpu.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Intel-Core-i7-8550U-i5-8250U-Quad-Core-Eglobal-Nuc-Mini-PC-i7-Windows-10/32850708878.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.259.e31d3c00KnUjmM

 

[Krabs.]

IMO aliexpress not suitable for higher value stuff , the buyer protection there is bad

 

[wwenze]

IMO aliexpress not suitable for higher value stuff , the buyer protection there is bad

Still much better than Taobao, but yup, can concur.

For example, dead pixel? Your problem lol.

 

[yusoffb01]

the value for money ones are 4~6gb, intel j4105, n4100, j5005 for below $300. those processor support dual 4k 60hz, 10 bit hevc

 

[Hafi]

Anyone bought mini pc made in china? seem to be value for money as compare to intel nuc for gen 8 cpu.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Intel-Core-i7-8550U-i5-8250U-Quad-Core-Eglobal-Nuc-Mini-PC-i7-Windows-10/32850708878.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.259.e31d3c00KnUjmM

yeap... I bought one unit (i7 8650U/512Gb SSD/16Gb Ram) as spare backup PC during the 11/11 sales for US$530 (after all the shop and Aliexpress discounts).

The unit came with Windows 10 Pro, double thickness casing (better ventillation), free VESA mounting plate (secure unit to the back of your LED monitor), HDMI cable and bluetooth/wi-fi module. They will also upgrade the CPU to i7 8650U if you choose the 8550U model.

Delivery took about 2 weeks... they listed free shipping via DHL but they will inform you and switch to EMS/Speedpost instead so the end delivery courier will be delivered by Speedpost, you will receive tracking number to monitor the shipping schedule.

SSD brand is Kingfast (China brand) but Ram modules are either Crucial or Samsung. If you are particular about the parts/PC then I will not recommend you to buy because after all, the parts came from China and although you have 3 years warranty, you'll have to send it all the way back to them for replacement.

For me its value for money as I use it as a spare machine and testing purpose so utilization rate will not be that high. I had another rather older PC as my main daily driver so this mini PC will act as my backup in the event my main went kaput while I order another new desktop.

 

[sean_x]

Bought a barebone fanless mini pc from Aliexpress before, so far it works well as my HTPC. Equipped with i7 8650U / 500gb NVMe + 2tb SSD / 2x8gb DDR4. Temp around 40C - 65C in a ventilated place.

You might want to check with the seller if you intend to display 4k @ 60hz because of not all the mini PC HDMI or DisplayPort support that, even with a capable CPU.

I have to use the DP port (Not a DP++), the HDMI port came with the Mini PC can't output 60hz. Then I have to buy an active DP to HDMI adapter to get the 60hz for my TV.

 

[ghgan1]

Do you need to pay GST for the mini pc since it is more than $400?

yeap... I bought one unit (i7 8650U/512Gb SSD/16Gb Ram) as spare backup PC during the 11/11 sales for US$530 (after all the shop and Aliexpress discounts).

The unit came with Windows 10 Pro, double thickness casing (better ventillation), free VESA mounting plate (secure unit to the back of your LED monitor), HDMI cable and bluetooth/wi-fi module. They will also upgrade the CPU to i7 8650U if you choose the 8550U model.

Delivery took about 2 weeks... they listed free shipping via DHL but they will inform you and switch to EMS/Speedpost instead so the end delivery courier will be delivered by Speedpost, you will receive tracking number to monitor the shipping schedule.

SSD brand is Kingfast (China brand) but Ram modules are either Crucial or Samsung. If you are particular about the parts/PC then I will not recommend you to buy because after all, the parts came from China and although you have 3 years warranty, you'll have to send it all the way back to them for replacement.

For me its value for money as I use it as a spare machine and testing purpose so utilization rate will not be that high. I had another rather older PC as my main daily driver so this mini PC will act as my backup in the event my main went kaput while I order another new desktop.

 

[ghgan1]

Thank for the advise on the 4k hdmi port, thinking of getting 1 as a backup pc for my main pc.

Bought a barebone fanless mini pc from Aliexpress before, so far it works well as my HTPC. Equipped with i7 8650U / 500gb NVMe + 2gb SSD / 2x8gb DDR4. Temp around 40C - 65C in a ventilated place.

You might want to check with the seller if you intend to display 4k @ 60hz because of not all the mini PC HDMI or DisplayPort support that, even with a capable CPU.

I have to use the DP port (Not a DP++), the HDMI port came with the Mini PC can't output 60hz. Then I have to buy an active DP to HDMI adapter to get the 60hz for my TV.

 

[sean_x]

Do you need to pay GST for the mini pc since it is more than $400?

Thank for the advise on the 4k hdmi port, thinking of getting 1 as a backup pc for my main pc.

Usually, the seller will under-declare to avoid GST, so you wouldn't need to pay GST, you can check with the seller.

I have the mini pc running virtual machine 24/7 for a month now, very stable. As long as getting from reputable sellers, you would be fine.

 

[Hafi]

Do you need to pay GST for the mini pc since it is more than $400?

this is already answered by sean above, the seller will know what to do when they ship your order so you don't have to do anything except receiving your parcel and sign it off.

 

[ghgan1]

So far most seller in aliexpress does not support hdmi 4k@60hz, only display port support 4k@60hz. Even ugreen DP port to hdmi are hard to find that support 4k@60hz. Guess have to wait a bit for seller to upgrade their hdmi to 2.0.

Usually, the seller will under-declare to avoid GST, so you wouldn't need to pay GST, you can check with the seller.

I have the mini pc running virtual machine 24/7 for a month now, very stable. As long as getting from reputable sellers, you would be fine.

 

[Zon]

so if i want to get a htpc for 4k to TV(madvr) and playing ATMOS...
This is a bad choice?

 

[sean_x]

So far most seller in aliexpress does not support hdmi 4k@60hz, only display port support 4k@60hz. Even ugreen DP port to hdmi are hard to find that support 4k@60hz. Guess have to wait a bit for seller to upgrade their hdmi to 2.0.

Yup.. I'm using j5create Active Adapter JDA158 and certified Premium HDMI 2.0b to get 4k@60hz on my Samsung TV.

so if i want to get a htpc for 4k to TV(madvr) and playing ATMOS...
This is a bad choice?

To use madvr your htpc need a dedicated GPU.. I can't use madvr on my integrated Intel UHD 620 it's lagging like mad

 

[terry1]

actually i bought some of these china made propriety computers. love them to bits. but be warned that if you need to install any new operating system to it, be it windows, linux, etc, it can be a pain in the a$$ as lots of the components on the motherboard are as it is, propriety, so looking for the drivers may be quite painful.

on another instance, i bought a a very cheap SOYO brand motherboard from china. love it for it cheap price. but when it comes to installing OS and drivers, it was quite hard to find. the windows were not able to detect the hardware components on the motherboard.

just my two cents worth of ...... thought you guys might want to know

 

[SGJoe86]

Anyone considered getting Shuttle XPC DH series? Are those comparable to these China mini PCs?