The SZBOX S1 Twin Lake N150 Mini PC combines Intel’s N150 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD storage in a compact design. Running Windows 11, it supports WiFi6, BT5.2, and dual USB3.0 ports for office and light gaming use. Its NGFF/NVMe compatibility and energy efficiency make it ideal for space-constrained setups requiring reliable performance.
Best Mini PCs 2024 – Geekom A7
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 Storage Options Does the SZBOX S1 Mini PC Offer?
This mini PC includes a 512GB SSD with both NGFF (SATA) and NVMe PCIe 3.0 x2 slots. Users can expand storage up to 2TB via secondary drives. The NVMe support enables read speeds up to 2,000MB/s, while the SATA interface provides backward compatibility for older SSDs, offering flexibility for mixed-use scenarios.
The dual storage configuration allows creative professionals to separate OS files from project data, while home users can maintain a media library alongside system files. For enterprise deployments, administrators can configure RAID 1 mirroring through software for basic data redundancy. The table below compares interface performance:
| Interface | Max Sequential Read | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| NVMe PCIe 3.0 x2 | 2,000 MB/s | Video editing cache |
| SATA III | 560 MB/s | Document archives |
How Effective Is the Cooling System in This Mini PC?
Equipped with a passive cooling system and aluminum alloy chassis, the SZBOX S1 maintains temperatures below 45°C under load. The fanless design ensures silent operation, while heat pipes distribute thermal load efficiently. This makes it suitable for noise-sensitive environments like libraries or home offices, though sustained heavy workloads may trigger thermal throttling.
Intel Core i5-8250U for Gaming
The cooling solution uses phase-change thermal interface material between the processor and copper baseplate, achieving 5.5W/mK thermal conductivity. In stress tests, the system maintains stable performance for 90 minutes of continuous 4K video encoding before gradual clock speed adjustments occur. Ambient temperature significantly impacts thermal performance:
| Environment | Idle Temp | Load Temp |
|---|---|---|
| 23°C Office | 32°C | 44°C |
| 35°C Factory | 41°C | 54°C |
FAQs
- Does the SZBOX S1 Support Linux Operating Systems?
- Yes, the SZBOX S1 is compatible with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and Fedora 38. However, drivers for the AX101 WiFi6 module may require manual installation on some distributions.
- Can This Mini PC Handle Video Conferencing?
- The integrated microphone and 1080p webcam support ensure smooth Zoom/Teams calls. The N150’s AI noise suppression enhances audio clarity in noisy environments.
- What’s the Power Consumption During Typical Use?
- Idle consumption is 6W, peaking at 18W under full load. The 65W PD adapter provides 8 hours of continuous office use on a 100Wh power bank.