Asus updates its mini PC lineup with Raptor Lake, Alder Lake-N, and Chromebox fashions
Asus is introducing three new compact desktop computer systems on the Client Electronics Present this week. The Asus ExpertCenter PN64-E1 is an up to date model of a system the corporate first launched a yr in the past, however now it’s powered by a Thirteenth-gen Intel Core processor.
In the meantime the Asus ExpertCenter PN42 is the corporate’s newest fanless, low-power system, now powered by an Intel Alder Lake-N processor that includes Gracemont CPU cores. And the Asus Chromebox 5 sports activities a Twelfth-gen Intel Core processor, but it surely has a nifty new function: a wi-fi charging coil that permits you to cost smartphones or different devices by inserting them atop the mini PC.
Asus hasn’t offered detailed specs for the brand new programs but, however right here’s what we learn about every up to now.
Asus ExpertCenter PN64-E1
This mini PC function an Intel Raptor Lake cellular processor and helps as much as 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 reminiscence and two PCIe 4.0 x4 slots for strong state storage plus room for 2.5 inch drive.
It has a WiFi 6E card for wi-fi connectivity and a set of ports that features:
- 2 x Thunderbolt
- 2 x HDMI
- 1 x DisplayPort
- 1 x Ethernet
- 5 x USB 3.0 Kind-A
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
Asus says the system helps as much as an 8K show or as much as 4 4K shows. And whereas the one factor the corporate says in regards to the dimension is that it has a “sub-1-liter chassis,” the brand new PN64-E1 seems to be rather a lot like final yr’s mannequin, suggesting it’ll measure round 5.1″ x 4.7″ x 2.2″.
The Asus ExpertCenter PN64-E1 will likely be obtainable within the first quarter of 2023.
Asus ExpertCenter PN42
This lower-power system will likely be obtainable with a alternative of Intel N100 or N200 processor choices. Each are 6-watt, 4-core, 4-thread processors, however the N200 is somewhat sooner and has higher graphics.
It’s a fanless PC with a black chassis created from recycled plastic with “slats on all sides for environment friendly warmth dissipation,” or as a lot dissipation as you will get from plastic, I assume.
Asus says the system options “as much as seven USB ports,” together with the 2 USB Kind-A ports proven on the entrance of the pc. It additionally has separate mic and headphone jacks, a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port, an M.2 slot for PCIe SSD storage, and assist for as much as three shows.
The Asus ExpertCenter PN42 will likely be obtainable within the first quarter of 2023.
Asus Chromebox 5
Whereas the Twelfth-gen Intel Alder Lake processor that powers this little ChromeOS desktop pc isn’t as new or as highly effective because the chips used within the PN64-E1, it’s a pleasant improve over the Tenth-gen Comet Lake chips that Asus tapped for the previous-gen Chromebox 4.
The brand new mannequin additionally provides assist for WiFi 6E (up from WiFi 6), a Thunderbolt 4 port (up from USB Kind-C), and the aforementioned built-in 15W wi-fi charging prime cowl.
Asus says the Chromebox 5 can drive as much as 4 4K shows, and it’s compact sufficient to be simply mounted to the again of a show utilizing a VESA mount equipment. After all, the wi-fi charging cowl in all probability gained’t be all that helpful if the system is mounted vertically behind a show, however I suppose it’s a pleasant perk to have in the event you decide to place the pc horizontally on a desk.
The Chromebox 5 has a PCR plastic chassis with a textured, fingerprint-resistance floor, two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, 2.5 Ghz Ethernet jack and 5 USB ports (one Thunderbolt 4 and 4 USB-A), and a microSD card reader.
Underneath the hood it sports activities an M.2 slot for PCIe Gen 4 x4 storage, and Asus says the Chromebox 5 will likely be obtainable with Intel Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processor choices. It ought to go on sale by the tip of March with costs beginning at $400.
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