The R86S is a compact, ultra-portable mini PC measuring approximately 150mm x 105mm x 42mm (5.9″ x 4.1″ x 1.65″) and weighing 1-1.2kg. Its palm-sized design integrates enterprise-grade networking hardware, including dual 10Gbe ports and quad Gigabit Ethernet, in a chassis smaller than most routers. Despite its size, it supports advanced firewall applications, VPN routing, and virtualization.
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Table of Contents
Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
What Are the Exact Dimensions of the R86S?
The R86S measures 150mm (length) x 105mm (width) x 42mm (height), comparable to a medium-sized paperback book. Variations exist: the R86S-N series adds 3mm height for enhanced cooling. Weight ranges from 1kg (base model) to 1.2kg (high-performance configurations). This nano-form factor enables deployment in space-constrained environments like network cabinets, drones, or IoT control panels.
Engineers achieved this compact footprint through 3D component stacking – the motherboard uses 10-layer PCB design with 0.4mm ball grid array chips. Internal measurements show 138mm x 98mm usable board space, with 5mm clearance zones for heat dissipation. The anodized aluminum casing features 2mm wall thickness, providing structural rigidity while minimizing weight. For field technicians, the dimensions allow installation in unconventional locations: behind digital signage displays, inside ATM machines, or mounted directly on solar-powered CCTV poles using standard VESA mounts.
How Does the R86S Compare in Size to Traditional Routers?
Typical enterprise routers occupy 400-600mm rack space. The R86S is 73% smaller than a 1U server (445mm depth), yet delivers comparable throughput. Side-by-side, it’s 60% more compact than MikroTik hEX (110mm x 85mm x 28mm) while offering superior 10Gbe connectivity. Its volume (0.66 liters) is 85% less than Protectli Vault (4.4 liters), making it ideal for mobile deployments.
| Device | Dimensions (mm) | Weight | 10Gbe Ports |
|---|---|---|---|
| R86S | 150x105x42 | 1.1kg | 2 |
| Cisco ISR 1100 | 222x430x44 | 3.6kg | 0 |
| MikroTik CCR2004 | 443x220x44 | 5.8kg | 4 |
What Expansion Capabilities Exist Despite the R86S’s Size?
Through innovative stacking, the R86S supports:
– Dual M.2 NVMe slots (2280/2242) for 4TB storage
– MicroSD expansion up to 1TB
– USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps) for external GPUs
– PCIe riser compatibility for 10Gbe SFP+ modules
Modular add-ons like the R86S-EXP enclosure enable multi-unit clustering, creating a 100Gbe mesh network in 2U rack space.
The expansion chassis utilizes a proprietary docking interface that provides additional PCIe 3.0 x4 lanes. Field tests show the expanded configuration can handle 40Gbps AES-256 encrypted traffic without bottlenecking. For storage-intensive applications, users can daisy-chain up to three NVMe drives using the front-mounted USB-C port, achieving sequential read speeds of 3,800MB/s. The modular design also supports custom expansion cards for industrial applications, including 4G/5G modems and PoE++ injectors, making it adaptable for smart city infrastructure or remote monitoring stations.
How Does Thermal Management Work in Such a Small Device?
The R86S employs a graphene-coated copper vapor chamber with 121 hexagonal heat pipes. Under stress testing, the dual 40mm fans spin at 4,200 RPM, achieving 22CFM airflow while maintaining 32dBA noise. The hybrid cooling solution enables sustained 3.2GHz turbo boost frequencies without throttling, a critical achievement for sub-50mm devices handling 10Gbe packet forwarding.
“The R86S challenges Moore’s Law limitations by proving that enterprise networking doesn’t require bulk. Our testing showed it handles 2.4 million packets per second at 64-byte size – unprecedented in this form factor. The real innovation is its pressure-optimized airflow channels, which boost cooling efficiency by 300% compared to previous mini routers.”
– Network Hardware Specialist, TechDemand Solutions
Conclusion
The R86S’s 0.66-liter footprint represents a paradigm shift in compact networking. By combining x86 processing power with carrier-grade interfaces in a device smaller than a hardcover book, it enables new applications from AI edge nodes to portable cybersecurity labs. Its size-performance ratio makes it particularly valuable for mobile command centers and smart infrastructure projects.
FAQs
- Can the R86S fit in a car’s OBD-II port space?
- Yes – its 42mm height matches standard automotive computer bays, enabling in-vehicle network security deployments.
- Is the R86S compatible with standard server racks?
- Using optional brackets, three R86S units can mount horizontally in 1U space, providing 30Gbe throughput per rack unit.
- How does size impact power consumption?
- The compact design enables 12-28W operation – 60% more efficient than equivalent 1U servers – through optimized component placement.