MeLE PCG02 Fanless Mini PC Stick, Celeron J4125 8GB 128GB Micro Desktop Computer, Support Auto Power on, Wi-Fi5 Gigabit Ethernet, BT4.2 on Business, Office, Industrial, IoT, Home

This is a highly compact (about the size of a TV remote), very low power usage (only 15W max.) computer. I got it with the max 8GB RAM for this Celeron J4125 Processor and it came with Windows 10 Pro at the time. (Aug. 2021) It's not meant to be a powerhouse. It works well for a basic home file server and 2nd computer that runs better than a Virtual Machine. I could have used 4GB RAM, but 8GB allows me to actually use it as a 2nd computer without needing to swap memory to the SSD.It has about the same performance as an old Surface Pro 3 tablet with an Intel i5-4300 with 8GB. It would probably run a little faster if it had a fan so it doesn't get throttled, but it's sufficient for my needs as a file server with a few USB external disks plugged into it. Since it's only powered by 15Watts, you'll need a powered hub to run two USB external portable 2.5" disks, but it works fine with a single USB 2.5" disk and a USB stick. 3.5" external disks have their own power source, so they'll work without issues.I set up the system first on the back of my TV and enabled RDP, then moved it off the TV and placed it where I could attach disk drives and run as a file server and leave it "hidden" from view. Since it has no fan, it's quiet. The only sounds come from the external disk drives. I gain access through Remote Desktop and remote Powershell if I need to use the system.Why didn't I get a RAID unit instead? A RAID as a file server is not a backup. You'd still need a 2nd unit, or a much larger single external disk for a backup. I rather spend that money on more individual disk drives and make backup copies. Most home RAID are also insecure, since they're linux systems that don't get regular updates, unless it's Synology. The rest can get easily hacked because of outdated Linux systems. RAID has its uses, but for most home systems, it's unnecessary.There are 3 reasons to get RAID:1. Speed - More disks = more speed - I don't really need it for home2. Uptime - if 1 disk fails, the unit remains up - My home system isn't under 24/7 usage and I have backups that I can easily swap to if it ever came to that. I usually have a replacement in 3-5 years time, well before it fails.3. Capacity - I'm not storing hundreds of TB. They sell up to 20 TB disks now. 16TB is probably the cheapest $/TB right now (11/2022) and my older 12TB (back when it was the best $/TB) is still more than sufficient for my home needs.Hopefully, in 2-4 years time, they'll have a more powerful unit that I can upgrade to. They're silent, and use very little electricity.

Works ok for what I wanted but it is slow. The 8 RAM is too restrictive. I would have bought the 16 GB RAM version but the combo RAM and SSD I wanted were not available. I got what I paid for and don't really regret the purchase though if I had to do it again MORE RAMThis is a fun and effective device for basics such as documents, and email but heavy lifting such as a working my way through and read 2700 page PDF file was VERY challenging.Basic office tasks, videos, web browsing, email, streaming all great ...It was as advertised and does what it says it will.

Great! small! moderatly vesatile! but has thermal issues.While running windows 11 pro 22H2 on the device I was met with some pretty hefty heat from the device. It shut off twice because of this.I decided this was more a microsoft problem of poor OS optimization and decided to (effortlessly) install PopOS! (Linux).With a much more efficient OS is still did run into heat just not as quickly. (Didn't shut off tho)I opened the device and realized how much this plastic is an insulator rather than say an aluminum chassis. With this, I installed an SSD heatsync with copper pipe and fan as seen in my picture. (Yes this absolutely voids any warranty). I did have to Dremmel a square on the side of the CPU and upgrade the thermal pad.The device is still silent and so much cooler.My advice to the manufacturer, vaporchamber with vents and preferably aluminum chassis or at least fins. I am pretty sure the thermal pads would have much more of an impact with such a design.I would have paid $50 for some or all these enhancements.Thermals aside... the bios is very open so becareful with your settings.This is an excellent replacement and upgrade to Intel's computstick lineup but not as 'daunting' as a raspberry pi, and near the same price these days -end of 2022.Works as advertised. Really great for travel, the back of a projector, remote streaming device, or an emergency device backup.

Stick it in your pocket and go. A little smaller than my cellphone. Windows 11 comes installed, but I booted from Linux Fedora37 microSD card and everything works. The ethernet works. The wifi works.The sound works. The external microSD card slot is handy for extra storage. I have a 4k monitor, but I haven't tried it with this yet. It works with my 2k monitor ( 2560x1440 ) at 60Hz.There are certain trips this is very handy for. You obviously need to have a mouse, keyboard and monitor.But if you are going some place that already has all these things ( work, my parents house ) then why lug a laptop around? You could even use most modern modern televisions as a monitor in a pinch.Cons: It doesn't have built-in speakers, so you will need speakers if you want sound (music).The Celeron CPU isn't the fastest, but I knew that when I bought it. It only has two USB ports,I can buy a USB hub, so that isn't really a big deal. This is the 128GB disk model.If I buy another I will get the 256 or 512GB model. The HDMI monitor cable that comes withit only about 10 inches long. But that works for most situations. It comes with a type USB type Cpower adapter.All in all, very happy with it. I will likely buy another (with a larger hard drive).