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About a year ago, I reviewed a mini PC with a built-in screen called the PIPO X9, and I really liked it. Today I'm reviewing the next model in this series of computers, the PIPO X10.

Not long ago, mini PCs based on the new Intel Pentium N4200 system-on-chip (SoC), built around the Apollo Lake core, were announced. The “first swallow” has landed in my hands. I’d been waiting for it for a while, since I was eager to get my hands on the new hardware :) Let’s test it, take it apart, and compare it with other mini PCs.

And now a mini PC based on the new and yet already familiar x5-Z8350 SoC has landed in my hands. It’s new because it was released relatively recently, and already familiar because processors based on this core have been in production for almost a year and a half. I’ll say right away that this computer had a few surprises in store. But let’s take it one step at a time: we’ll inspect it, test it, open it up, and see if we can improve it.

This is the kind of product I'd put in the “saw it, wanted it, bought it” category. That's exactly what I did when I spotted it about a month ago. I already have a similar little enclosure and use it quite a lot, but after getting another hard drive, I thought it would be a good idea to make backups of backups of particularly important data. There's not much to take apart or test here, so this will be more of an extended photo show-off :)

Not long ago, I reviewed a small computer, and commenters said it would have been better with passive rather than active cooling. I didn't mention at the time that I'd just bought a small computer with passive cooling and similar specs. So today I'm reviewing that computer. We'll test it, heat it up, and take it apart.

I enjoy writing reviews of all kinds of DIY projects most of all, but small computers would come in second. I'm less interested in Android devices, but Windows is a different story. That's partly why today's review is of a small Windows 10 computer—and it's definitely not the familiar Atom-based kind. A look around, tests, teardown, more tests, and conclusions—all after the jump.

Continuing the saga of moving to a new computer, which began back in May, I ran into a fairly significant problem. The thing is, although the new computer has a couple of SATA ports, its case is too small to fit a pair of 3.5-inch hard drives. I also wanted to make my workspace completely silent, so I decided to move all the drives elsewhere.

As it happened, I got another memory module. A friend of mine ordered it for himself, and I didn't pass up the chance to put together a quick review in case it might be useful to someone. This time it's a relatively old DDR2 module, the kind most often bought to upgrade older computers.

Computers based on the Atom Z8x00 have been on the market for almost a year. Somehow, though, most of the devices I’ve had for review were based on the Atom Z8300, with one based on the Atom Z8500. I still hadn’t tested a device with the top-of-the-line (if you can call it that) Atom X7-Z8700. Today, I’m going to fill that gap in my testing: on my operating table is the Beelink BT7, one of the very few computers equipped with the Atom X7-Z8700. A look around, some tests, and the usual teardown and modifications.

As part of the “move” project, which I started in these two reviews — 1, 2 — I bought a small computer. The computer itself is basic, but it has a few rather nice features. They won’t be useful to many people, but I’m sure some will appreciate them.

Some time ago, I posted a review of a mini PC based on the Celeron J1900. In that review, I mentioned its more powerful “siblings” based on I3 and I5 processors, which had a few design “quirks” of their own. After keeping an eye on how the Onda M2 performed, I finally decided to replace my old computer with something more compact and more powerful. In this review, I’ll try to show why I chose this particular option and what it’s all about.

I've already reviewed quite a few mini PCs running Windows. But then I came across a relatively inexpensive model and decided to see what mini PCs in the lower price range have to offer. As usual, though, this turned into the whole routine: inspection, tests, teardown, modifications, setup, and more tests.

ONDA, a company known for its tablets, apparently decided not to stop at making these devices and set its sights on the small desktop computer market. Today, I’ll tell you about one of these devices. As always, there’ll be a look around, some tests, a teardown, and a few more hurdles to overcome.

Quite a few of my readers probably remember my review of one of the smallest computers, the MeeGoPad T02. The review was probably remembered less for its description of the computer than for the difficulties I ran into while modifying it. Although I did manage to get the better of it back then, it wasn't easy. When I saw an updated version of this computer, I couldn't pass it up. I was curious to see whether it really was any better. Anyway, if you're interested, come on in. :)

I've already posted two reviews of mini PCs from PIPO, but this one is more of a “hybrid”—not just in terms of its OS, like the PIPO X7S, but also in its design, since this mini PC has a screen too. This mini PC isn't new, though; it's an improved version of its predecessor, the PIPO X8. Let's see what it inherited from its predecessors.

Many people are already used to computers constantly getting smaller. So when I saw this tiny computer, I immediately wanted to get one to review. Especially since people had already asked me whether I’d tried it. Now I can confidently say that I have—and not only tried it, but also taken it apart and modified it, because this computer turned out to have a mind of its own. Anyway, if you’re interested in my whole saga, read on.

Since my work involves computers quite a bit, I'm interested in all sorts of unusual computer gadgets. Not long ago, I learned about an interesting device: a graphics card that connects to a computer's USB port. As soon as I got the chance to review one, I jumped at it. As usual, I'll take a look, take it apart, and test it.

This time, I’m reviewing a rather controversial device. The manufacturer tried to please supporters of two different user groups at once and put an end to the Windows vs. Android flame war. The solution was a dual-boot device: a mini PC that runs both operating systems (well, almost). If you’re interested, read on.