Helpful Guide to the 3 Best Mini PC Sticks for 2021

这se days, electronics are becoming more and more portable. Laptops, tablets, and other small devices are squeezing PCs out of a large portion of the market. This isn’t to say that desktops are going anywhere. Indeed, for PC gaming, it’s safe to say that desktop computers will be around for the long haul. But for other applications, like streaming, “smaller” is the word of the day.

特别是流媒体，没有理由使用大型电脑。相反，为什么不使用迷你电脑？这些小型计算机仅大于拇指亚洲官方合作伙伴驱动器。它们设计用于直接插入电视或监视器上的HDMI端口。结果，它们是媒体的理想选择。只需安装您喜欢的应用程序，您就可以随时前进。他们也是商业的伟大选择。为什么携带一台笔记本电脑，当您在全国范围内携带一个小型迷你电脑进行这位大型展示？

We’re about to look at three of the best mini PCs on the market today. The W5 Pro Mini PC is a powerful PC designed for media. The Awow Mini PC Stick is a more lightweight model that’s designed to operate silently. The Intel Compute Stick CS125 is slightly less powerful, but offers better audio performance. So, how do these options all stack up? We’re about to take a close look, and tell you everything we’ve learned.

W5 Pro Mini PC

这W5 Pro Mini PCis constructed from ABS plastic, and measures 3.9 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. At half an inch thick, it’s compact enough to carry in your pocket. And at only 7.2 ounces in weight, you’ll hardly even realize you’re carrying it. The bottom end of the case is vented, and you can see the cooling fan operating on the inside. On the side, near the bottom, there’s a simple power switch for turning the W5 on or off. Above the power switch, you’ll find the USB inputs. On the other side of the unit, there’s a single jack for the DC power input. A power adapter is included with the kit, so you can easily plug the W5 into your wall outlet.

这W5 comes with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit pre-installed. This is the most powerful version of Windows, and it’s nice to see a mini PC that can actually run it. This is, in part, thanks to the powerful Intel Atom X5-Z7350 processor. While the X5-Z7350 has a base frequency of 1.44 GHz, it can run at 1.92 GHz for short bursts. This ensures that applications will load quickly when you need them to. It’s also a quad-core processor, which enables it to run multiple applications simultaneously with minimal lagging. The 2 MB cache isn’t terribly large by PC standards, but it’s impressive for a mini PC.

总而言之，W5能够流媒体4K视频。它使用英特尔HD图形，因此您将在未来做好准备。此外，它还提供4GB的RAM，以及64GB的板载固态存储。如果您想分享家庭视频或演示文稿，您将能够轻松地进行。

连接和额外

在连接选项方面，W5 Pro将右插入电视或显示器上的HDMI端口。套件中包含了一个HDMI电缆，这意味着您不必为外围设备购物。此外，它还具有内置双频WiFi卡。它使用802.11ac协议。这不是最新和最伟大的，但它是大多数现代设备支持的最新版本。如果要使用蓝牙，您也可以执行此操作。它支持蓝牙4.2协议。再一次，有一个更新的协议，蓝牙5.0。然而，4.2提供比较较长的范围，至多60英尺。这使得与您的台式电脑或智能手机易于同步，即使是从房屋之间也可以同步。

W5 Pro还允许您插入拇指drive to transfer data. It has a pair of USB ports, a 2.0 and a 3.0, so you can get the fastest possible transfer rates. There’s also a USB Type-C slot, which allows you to connect smaller devices like smartphones with ease. Finally, the W5 pro has a built-in Micro SD card slot. This doesn’t just allow you to transfer data from a PC or smartphone. It also allows you to expand your local storage capacity should you so desire.

如果您想要迷你电脑的可移植性，但仍然想要一个方便的内置监视器和键盘？在这种情况下，微型笔记本电脑可能是一个更好的选择。我们最近审查了GPD MicroCc.. It’s a tiny laptop that does everything you’d expect from a larger system.

Awow Mini PC Stick

这Awow Mini PC Stick旨在尽可能安静地运行。现在，如果您正在观看电影，即使是“响亮的”迷你电脑也不会是一个问题。但是，如果您在提供业务演示文稿，粉丝的嗡嗡声会分散注意力。泡制已经解决了这种无风扇设计问题。该壳体由阳极氧化铝代替塑料构成，塑料允许更好的传热。壳体的顶部和底部是罗纹，这意味着它可以以完全的功率运行而不会过热。

这Awow measures 5.9 inches long, 2.1 inches wide, and just over half an inch thick. This makes it the largest mini PC stick on our list, but it’s a necessity for heat distribution. At 11.6 ounces, it’s also a bit beefy, but that’s understandable given the metal case. Along the right side of a unit, you’ll find a power button, along with the USB ports. On the left side, there’s a micro SD slot, as well as an external antenna. This allows for a powerful wireless signal, ideal for larger homes with distant routers. The back of the unit offers additional connection options, including a 3.5mm audio jack. The Awow runs on USB power, and includes a USB Type-C AC power adapter.

这Awow comes with Windows 10 Pro pre-installed, which ensures compatibility with any current software. It has an Intel Celeron J4105 processor, which supports burst speeds of up to 2.5 GHz. The onboard graphics and HDMI 2.0 output allow for 4K resolution, even at 60 frames per second. The 4GB of RAM are about standard for a mini PC. And the 64GB of onboard flash storage allow you to bring your own videos and presentations.

连接和额外

For connectivity, the Awow’s onboard WiFi card is fairly powerful. It supports all current protocols, including 802.11 b, g, n, and ac. It operates on 5.8 and 2.4 GHz dual channels. And we’ve already talked about the external gain antenna. If you have connection issues with other devices, the Awow gives you the best chance of a stable connection. There’s also a gigabit Ethernet port, which supports wired connections. If you want to set up your mini PC in a semi-permanent configuration, the Awow is a solid choice. In addition, it supports Bluetooth 4.2, which allows for a long-range connection with your other devices.

要传输数据，您可以使用USB 3.0端口中的任何一个端口。这允许您附加拇指驱动器，甚至可以连接鼠标和键盘以进行用户友好的界面。避难也有一个唤醒局域网选项。这允许您在WiFi网络上远程激活它。如果您的Mini PC作为您的家庭机顶盒，这是一个很棒的功能。如果你已经离开了企业但忘了打开它，你的家庭就不必离开没有netflix。

迷你PC的一个替代方案是使用WiFi AV接收器。这些设备允许您从PC或其他设备流式传输媒体，并将信号发送到电视。一个伟大的选择是Sony STR-DN1080. It seamlessly integrates with your home network, and gives you full control over your home entertainment system.

Intel Compute Stick CS125

这Intel Compute Stick CS125是一个中型迷你电脑。它是4.4英寸长，1.5英寸宽，半英寸厚。在13.4盎司，这对大小有点沉重。但它与强大的音频硬件合理。这也是国际旅行者的最佳选择。USB Type-C电源适配器专为北美网点设计。但它配有国际220伏网点的适配器。如果您想在世界上任何地方乘坐Mini PC，CS125是一个很好的选择。

整体设计是公平的斯巴达。CS125通风在底座附近，具有低调的针孔，仍然允许大量气流。沿右侧，有一个软触控电源按钮，以及USB端口和USB Type-C Power端口。单位顶部的LED灯显示出电源时显示您。除了HDMI插头之外，还有其他并发症。

这CS125 comes with Windows 10 Pro pre-installed, which makes it as future-proof as one could expect. It has a 1.44 GHz Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor. This is fairly weak, even by mini PC standards. But it’s still a quad-core, so multi-tasking is a definite possibility. There are 2GB of RAM built in, as well as 32GB of flash storage. This is, once again, fairly minimal, but it’s enough for most purposes. The CS125 does use Intel HD graphics, so you can still stream high definition video. That said, it will struggle with 4K.

连接和额外

这CS125 uses the 802.11ac WiFi protocol, which ensures a clean, stable connection with any modern device. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, which allows for easy pairing with your smartphone, keyboard, or mouse. In addition, it ships with an HDMI dongle, which makes it easy to plug into hard-to-reach ports. With a USB 2.0 and 3.0 port, you can also plug in your thumb drive or other memory sources. Transferring video and presentations is very easy. Finally, you’ll find a Micro SD memory card slot, so you can expand your on-board memory. The CS125 also supports multi-channel audio. As a result, while it’s underwhelming for video purposes, it’s a great choice for music streaming.

One thing that several users have complained about with the CS125 is that it has frequent driver issues. Because of this, you might need to install drivers to use your aftermarket peripherals. It also has been known to struggle with Windows updates. The reason for this is that Windows updates temporarily require more disk space than 32GB. To compensate, your best bet is to insert a thumb drive to expand the memory. Make sure to use the USB 3.0 port. Otherwise, your update may take a long time.

If you need to use an HDMI cable to extend your mini PC’s range, why not get a portable one? We’ve reviewed the最佳可伸缩的HDMI电缆, so your purchase decision will be quick and painless.

最后的判决

At the end of the day, each of these mini PCs has a lot to offer. To begin with, theW5 Pro Miniis very powerful. It’s your best choice for video streaming, since the powerful fan ensures cool operation. It also offers plenty of connectivity options. Whether you’re watching your own videos or using a streaming service, you’ll be well set up.

这Awow Mini PC Stickis also an excellent choice. The fanless design isn’t ideal, but it’s completely silent. As a result, we wouldn’t recommend it for extended use. It might overheat if you’re bingeing your favorite streaming show all weekend. But for presentations, it’s the cream of the crop. There won’t be any fan noise to distract your audience.

最后，Intel Compute Stick CS125is the best choice for streaming music. While it can handle video, it’s a bit under-powered. But the multi-channel audio support allows you to enjoy your favorite tunes in full surround-sound. All in all, it’s not a bad deal.