GMK NucBox review: This Intel-powered mini PC could replace your Raspberry Pi
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
GMK is a relatively unknown brand, at least I've however to come up across it until a review sample landed at Windows Primal HQ. I've always been fascinated by mini PCs like Intel'southward Next Unit of Computing (NUC) range, especially when they manage to cram in 4K-capable components inside such a compact chassis.
The GMK NucBox, which is clearly a play on words with Intel NUC, promises impressive specs in a ridiculously small package. At that place's an Intel processor, wireless connectivity, up to 512GB of pre-installed storage, and a full version of Windows 10 to play with. Could this be one of the best mini PCs and NUCs? I took 1 for a spin to detect out.
GMK NucBox
Bottom line: The GMK NucBox is almost the perfect mini PC. If but the company could work out a fashion to include a VESA bracket inside the box and add a LAN port, this would be the PC for function deployment.
The Good
- Intel Celeron J4125 CPU
- Super-compact course cistron
- Impressive internals for the size
- Affordable
- Skilful connectivity
GMK NucBox: Price and availability
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Key
It's easy to spend upwards of $ii,000 on a new PC, but the GMK NucBox is on the affordable side of the scale. Coming in at simply $240 for the 128GB SSD and 8GB of RAM version, this is incredibly affordable compared to many pre-built systems out at that place. Information technology'due south possible to spend up to $300 for the 512GB SSD with 8GB of RAM.
GMK NucBox: What's good
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Fundamental
The NucBox shares the aforementioned design equally the Chuwi LarkBox, which leads me to believe some of these brands are using the same design manufacturer. Like many devices available today, the GMK NucBox has a brushed aluminum-result metal body with a chrome strip separating it from the black plastic fan housing up top.
| Category | GMK NucBox |
|---|---|
| Type | Pocket-sized form cistron |
| CPU | Intel Celeron J4125 Quad-core two.00GHz to 2.70GHz |
| OS | Windows 10 Home |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| GPU | Intel UHD 600 |
| Storage | 128GB SATA Thousand.two SSD 256GB SATA M.2 SSD 512GB SATA G.two SSD |
| LAN | Intel Air-conditioning-9461 Wi-Fi (Bluetooth five.1) |
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.0 ports 1x HDMI 1x USB-C (DC input) MicroSD reader 3.5mm audio jack |
| Dimensions | 2.iv 10 two.four x 1.6 inches (62mm ten 62mm x 42mm) |
The front panel is clean aside from the power button and Intel within branding. On the correct side are a MicroSD menu reader and iii.5mm audio jack. The rear houses the USB-C port for power, HDMI port, and 2 USB-A 3.0 ports. There's not too much here in terms of connectivity, merely this PC measures in at just 2.4 10 2.four ten one.6 inches so in that location's non much room for GMK and others to play with.
This mini PC is every bit small as a Raspberry Pi merely houses an Intel CPU and runs Windows x.
The GMK NucBox is ridiculously pocket-sized. Even photos don't practise it justice. This PC is smaller than the SteelSeries DAC and wireless receiver unit for the Arctis Pro headset. Information technology's also more than meaty than one of my Sony lenses. It's crazy merely how we're able to cram and so much computing power in such a pocket-size parcel.
Taking the PC apart is an piece of cake process. Just remove the four padded feet underneath the chassis (fastened using adhesive), remove four screws, and everything pulls apart. The but component yous can remove and replace is the mSATA SSD. This makes it possible to purchase the 128GB model of the GMK NucBox and upgrade the storage yourself.
Inside this pocket-size PC is an Intel Celeron J4125, which is a quad-core (without hyperthreading) CPU with a base frequency of 2.00GHz that can boost up to 2.7GHz. It has a enshroud of 4MB and integrated Intel UHD 600 graphics processing. This isn't a powerful CPU, but looking at the small form factor of the GMK NucBox, you wouldn't expect to see a desktop-class Intel Core i9 inside.
The 8GB of RAM is from Micron and is LPDDR4. The SSD isn't the fastest around, since it'due south an mSATA M.ii 2242 drive, which will be confirmed afterwards with some benchmarks. Running the PC as a full general use workstation and the performance is mediocre, which is to exist expected from the 10W CPU. For full general site browsing, social media, media streaming, and some very calorie-free gaming, it's perfectly acceptable.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
Temperatures were recorded at around 50C idle and then up to 70C when under full load before settling back down to around 62C once the fan kicked in. Interestingly, at that place doesn't seem to be a smooth curve for the fan, which simply boosts into about full power as shortly equally the CPU hits 60C. These results aren't too bad, given the size of the chassis and restricted airflow.
For synthetic benchmarks, CrystalDiskMark recorded 441MB/s and 333MB/south for read and write speeds, respectively. This isn't anywhere near NVMe levels of storage performance but is considerably faster than mechanical hard drives. PCMark x came in at 1,572, which is almost in line with expectations for the Celeron J4125. As well with Geekbench five, resulting in 434 and 1,318 for single and multi-core testing.
The 8GB of RAM is decent enough for a Windows 10 installation, though it would have been good to accept the choice of 16GB if at all possible. When it comes downwards to it, you lot shouldn't be expecting too much from a mini PC, but these are perfect for office deployment. It'due south just a shame at that place'due south no VESA back up for mounting them on the rear of monitors without ownership an optional subclass.
GMK NucBox: What's not good
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Primal
I would accept loved to see some sort of subclass accessory included that would permit the GMK NucBox to be attached to a monitor using VESA. That's a shame, peculiarly since information technology makes sense to hide these modest PCs behind the display for a cleaner look on the desk-bound. I tin understand why this wasn't included to continue the cost down, but it would have been nice.
In that location's as well no LAN port, which is a bummer for anyone wanting to rely on wired connections. Especially in busy environments, wireless connectivity tin can be patchy, which is why we always recommend using cabling if at all possible. Due to size constraints, it will probably exist a chore to include a LAN port on the GMK NucBox, but this as well would elevate the feel for almost total marks.
I also did non like the US to UK plug adapter, which isn't the standard 3-prong plug, forcing ane to utilize an adapter that does have an earth plug or using another plug to force open the socket. GMK has alerted me that the visitor is aircraft out a iii-prong plug inside retail packaging.
GMK NucBox: Competition
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Key
At that place are and then many NUC-way mini PCs, like the aforementioned Chuwi Larkbox, out in that location that information technology may be hard to split the good from the bad and ugly. The NucBox from GMK is i of the better mini PCs, peculiarly if you're wanting a minor reckoner that you tin can take around with you. It's nowhere nigh the most powerful, nor does information technology have all the connectivity you lot'd require for a consummate office setup.
Strangely enough, the GMK NucBox looks like a shrunken Minisforum U850 and turned upside downwards. It's also the nigh recent NUC-esque PC I've had the pleasure of reviewing and gave information technology a skilful score for its class factor, design, and impressive specification list. The GMK NucBox is pretty much equally modest as you lot tin go away with a somewhat capable Intel processor.
If you want wired LAN ports and expandable storage capacity (beyond the single Grand.2 drive), you'll need more chassis infinite. Something like the Minisforum U850 caters to that desire by offer an additional two 2.5-inch drive bays, replaceable RAM, and Wi-Fi. It's far more upgradable than the GMK NucBox, only it's likewise nowhere near as compact. There are tradeoffs everywhere.
GMK NucBox: Should you buy it?
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Key
You should buy this if ...
- You're on a tighter budget
- You lot want a small class gene PC
- You need a small PC for general productivity
- Yous want to create your own router
You shouldn't purchase this if ...
- You demand to do intense tasks
- You want a silent PC
- You want a loftier-performance PC
- Yous want to mount a PC to the dorsum of a monitor
Information technology'southward amazing how far PC engineering has come over the years. The Mac Mini is a vivid piece of kit from Apple, but you lot just cannot beat NUC and small form gene PCs like the GMK NucBox. It'south perfect for anyone on a tighter budget who only wants a PC for piece of work or programming, allowing you to create all kinds of devices including a server or router.
The GMK NucBox does have a few limitations, all the same. It's not slap-up for more intensive tasks thanks to the weaker Celeron processor. It's a no-get for gaming across solitaire and select light games. Information technology's adequately serenity just not silent, especially when the fan kicks into loftier gear, which is sudden thanks to a lack of a smooth curve.
Even with those few minor drawbacks, I can nevertheless recommend the GMK NucBox to anyone wanting such a meaty PC. It's utterly vivid for general computing and pocket-sized enough to take with you on the road.
GMK NucBox
Bottom line: I was pleasantly surprised with the GMK NucBox. The Celeron processor is snappy, the SSD performs well, and the sheer size of this mini PC lets you deploy it in the office without cluttering up desk space.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gmk-nucbox-review
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