Mini PC Desktop Computer Windows 11 Pro, 11th Gen Intel
Mini PC Desktop Computer Windows 11 Pro, 11th Gen Intel Celeron N5105 (bis zu 2,90 GHz) 8GB DDR4 256GB SSD DreamQuest Desktop PC 4K 3xHDMI Display Port, Dual Rj45 Gigabit Ethernet Dual WiFi, BT4.2
| Weight: | 420 g |
| Dimensions: | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.9 cm; 420 Grams |
| Brand: | DreamQuest |
| Batteries Included: | Yes |
| Manufacture: | DreamQuest |
| Dimensions: | 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.9 cm; 420 Grams |
Folks… please note: This review is written for the DreamQuest’s slightly bigger brother… namely the one with the 16GB of Ram ( I think it is DDR4). For the rest as far as I can see, this unit is identical but the 16GB version I have seems to be no longer on Amazon.
Here are my findings. Runs like a Bat out of Hell. Install went absolutely without problems. The 3 HDMI ports are great, but I am using only one at this time. As I avoid WiFi/BT were poss, no comments on that bit… I am one of these Hardwire chappies and keep Wifi to a minimum.
Booting up is lightning fast… it truly took me by surprise how fast it does it.
Tech support is second to none. I contacted Reaching Tech to get information on upgrading the machine with an additional 2.5″ SSD. I was replied to by Tina within hours ! Very very seldom have seen such professional, courteous and FAST support. Bought a Samsung 2.5″ SSD and will be installing that this a’noon to go from 512MB to 2 GB.
Do note… at 79 I am not interested in gaming so no comments on that front either.
Conclusion ? BUY IT, if you can get the 16GB version anywhere. This machine is a tiny baby PC on STEROIDS !
Well done to Reaching Tech… and PLEASE put the 16GB one back on Amazon !!!! I want to buy a second one.
All in all…. this is one of these very rare cases where I would want to give 6 stars.
Albert
Albe
Very good for the price. Fan a little noisy, hence their latest product update with silent fan. Noise is very tolerable though. Runs most common desktop applications fine. Triple monitors work well. Also, their customer service is second to none via Amazon. Contacted them last week to ask a question and their response was instant. Overall would recommend this product and company. But please don’t expect top performance from this for gaming etc. The PC is excellent for fit for purpose
Bought this as a OpnSense backup for my Sophos UTM so I wouldn’t be without secure internet connectivity in the event of hardware failure. But I was so impressed with it, I’ve actually since bought a second box so I can duplicate the setup – the N5105 handles my 500Mbit line just as fast as the Ryzen 3400g but at a fraction of the power usage. I can now put the more powerful Ryzen to a better use and have this more energy efficient box running 24×7 (with an exact duplicate as backup should I need it).
The dual NICs are Realtek, but with the op-realtek-re module that is a single-click install from within the Web GUI, and all available IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) rules with default firewall (all inside allowed out, all outside declined in), I get the exact same upload/download speeds whilst running at less than 50% CPU. Memory usage is also stable around 50% with no swap usage during multiple simultaneous downloads from multiple machines.
I bought a 256GB Sata 2.5″ SSD to put into the machine so I could keep the Windows 11 install should I ever decide to use it as a HTPC.
It will not be fast enough for Windows gaming, but is sufficient for internet browsing, hi-def and UHD streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney.
NOTE: Will not install Sophos UTM as there is no legacy boot support. So I went with OpnSense Firewall + IPS.
The system is a very compact Windows 11 Pro machine, bought as a test machine for software development, offering good portability for external demonstrations, and outstanding connectivity – 3 x HDMI, 2 x Ethernet – would also make a decent entry-level development server (for shared repositories/Git, if not build).
After portability, I also selected it as a test platform for entry-level machines, but it might actually not work well for this because it’s far more powerful than I expected (!). The quad-core CPU (N5105) is excellent, and the built-in GPU is not bad – I was surprised how well one of our game builds ran, though this is not by any stretch-of-the-imagination a gaming machine.
Also experienced some problems at first, however: after the first boot, Windows 11 began blue screening during its initial update, and then the machine completely failed to boot. Eventually established that the M.2 2242 SSD had failed. After replacing the SSD and reinstalling Windows, the system has since operated smoothly. Reaching Tech (the seller/manufacturer) offered good support; replying quickly (through Amazon) and refunding the cost of a branded replacement SSD.
The rest of the machine is largely integrated/SoC, and most of the components are solid, though be aware that the audio interface’s DAC (via headphone port) is practically unusable – notably worse than even your average integrated audio! Not only is there no bass, but also very little middle – I suspect an impedence mismatch. I’d hoped it would be a little better, as we specialise in audio apps, but I’d expected to have to use a USB DAC anyway.
Pros:
+ Excellent quad-core CPU performance.
+ Outstanding connectivity and ports (3 x HDMI, 2 x Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wifi)
+ Smart, very portable design.
+ Solid, responsive machine for many tasks; office, media server, and light software development.
+ Friendly and attentive Technical Support, if things go wrong.
+ Includes Windows 11 Pro with no bloatware.
Cons:
– Initial problems due to SSD failure (may be bad luck, cheap component, or patchy QA, but Tech Support’s response was encouraging).
– Terrible audio quality (expect to use a USB DAC if audio is needed).
Other:
~ Hardware and configuration is stock configuration – e.g. significiantly more BIOS options are visible than your average PC/motherboard; including some that might not be relevant for the machine. Potentially good for tweakers, but looks like a minimally adapted template Aptio firmware. Confident Reaching Tech weren’t expecting end-users to make it this far. 😉
~ Resources (like drivers) can be found online (from the Reaching Tech website), but are disorganised and a bit patchy, and there is very limited documentation (no significant manual). Again, RT probably pitching it as a vanilla Windows machine that works out of the box for end-users.
In summary, despite teething problems, I am pleased with the machine and optimistic it will fulfil its intended use and possibly a few other jobs besides: my four stars represents a machine with the potential of five stars, but possibly a few chinks in the QA for components. As long as you don’t run into problems, it’s outstanding value and the expectation-defying performance means it could easily be a family or office PC – and the connectivity options open up other uses for the more technically savvy.
Only just finished setting it all up, it did the setting up mostly on its own very easy and enjoyed the experience it updated its self and was available to use in no time. Only negative thing is only hdmi connection for monitor had to find an adapter for my monitor luckily I had one available !!!
The machine turned on but gave no HDMI signal. I asked for technical support which was provided promptly by Reaching Tech. Unfortunately they weren’t able to resolve my technical issue, but they offered a prompt replacement device, so I have updated this review to 4 stars on that basis.
Tiny computer compared to my last. Works well, great speed and quiet. More useful than a laptop. Easy to transport and set up. Super useful.
This is a perfect neat little machine that functions very well. Great customer service on follow up questions also.
Mini PC was just as I needed, works well. the only problem I encountered was my 500Gb SSD did not work, The connector was faulty and Tina sent me a new one which solved the problem.
OK, not the fastest but OK for me.
Things you’ll need other than what’s in the box are a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The keyboard and mouse take up 2 of the 4 USB sockets.
Set up took about 1 minute.
There’s also no long set up with Windows 11. You just turn it on and its ready.
Speed is very good. The HDMI gives a beautiful crisp image. There’s also a VGA connection.
There’s not much more to say,It makes your old desktop seem like something from the 21th century.
Great little PC, used this with an old monitor and make myself a great photoframe and reads of my NAS
Found this to be easy to install and update
Thanks work well
Quick turnaround. Product as described. Working very well for my needs.