This palm sized gem is replacing a 2014 large tower with Windows 10 on it.
It is 3.5"x3.5"x1.5" in size. Can hang from the back of the monitor (includes the bracket).
512GB SSD and 16GB of Ram. 3 HDMI (which I need for 3 monitors, 2 are TVs) 3 USB 3.0 though I could use at least 1 more for flexibility. I may end up with a splitter for the mouse & keyboard. 2 Lan Adapters which surprised me and Wifi of course. Even has Win 11 Pro instead of home.
It is so much faster than the PC it is replacing, it is insane. The SSD is a huge part of the speed though.
Thank you. Sadly, as often happens, that’s on Amazon-dot-com (USA) and although some items ship to Canada, this one does not. But a search for “mini PC” on amazon.ca turns up all sorts of similar products in a wide variety of price ranges, so I may opt for one of those.
I must admit, though, that a $100 saving on a $300 item that is already a marvel of technological value is a pretty good deal!
Are you close to a US border? If so, you might consider shipping to an Amazon drop box in the US near the border and then going to collect the item. Might be worth it for some more pricey items if you are not too far away and don’t mind a drive.
Note that some of these cheapo boxes have been found to be infected with malware from the maker. It requires skill to remove the malware since it’s also on the restore image. In some cases it is hooked into the BIOS and basically can’t be removed.
Checking, I see no reports of the Blackview device having known malware on it. (Some of their tablets from a few years ago did have malware.)
Some models by AceMagics have been recently found to be infected.
Given the sophistication of malware-makers, just because a scan comes back clean doesn’t mean that there isn’t malware on it that won’t be discovered for several years, if ever.
I’d do a complete new install of Windows downloaded from Microsoft to a USB thumb drive. Be sure to preserve your Windows license key. These days it is super easy, just takes a little time. You can boot from the USB drive (might to have to noodle in the BIOS to get that to happen…easy but have to find it). It is especially easy when the PC is brand new and has nothing you can lose.
Of course, if the malware is in the BIOS/UEFI then not sure what you can do.
Actually I had no idea something like this existed. Sort of half-shopping around for a new notebook computer, but for use at home, this could be just the thing. Roll one’s own displays, however one desires, add a nice mechanical keyboard, to taste. Certainly a bargain deal with more than adequate power for my uses, even including some newer peripherals.
It would be nice if it could be powered by USB-C, for easier power supply in the event of shorter power outages, if one lacks an AC backup bank or another more comprehensive backup system, but this kind of format and device displays great promise.
Exactly! With more extensible options in the way of peripherals, and multiple designs in this form factor seem to boast highly accessible routes to upgrading internals, just like an average desktop computer.
If the device is connected to a network, then the malware can do all sorts of bad things. Infect other devices on the local network, become a spam bot, etc.
As I noted in my post, a clean scan doesn’t mean that there is no malware on it. It just means that there is no known malware on it. Sometimes it takes quite a few years for high quality malware to be discovered. China has gotten incredibly serious about getting high quality malware onto as many Western devices as possible.