I replaced my Linux system with this $200 Windows mini PC – and it left me impressed

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Minix Z97 mini PC is available on Amazon for $217.
• This tiny PC is a powerhouse that’s well-suited for daily use.
• Running demanding tasks like local AI workloads puts a strain on its resources.

Imagine having a PC that fits in your hand and performs well enough to get you through the day (with power to spare). Such computers exist, but not all of them are created equal.

I’ve tested plenty of these tiny form-factor PCs, and a lot of them might be cute, but they lack any semblance of power to do much. Others, like the Piccolo N150 — an eight-inch device I recently reviewed — are useful in specific contexts but aren’t for everyone. Because of this, any time I receive one for review, I go into the review process with a grain of salt. 

Also: I’m a Windows user, but the MacBook Air M4 could be my new primary laptop at this price

Imagine my surprise when I opened the palm-sized Minix Neo Z97 and realized my assumptions might very well be wrong. 

Minix is a company you might never have heard of, but they create quite a lot of small form-factor hardware, such as PCs, car touchscreens, portable monitors, chargers, and wireless displays. Minix’s products often impress and are offered at affordable prices. For instance, its new Z97 Mini PC sells for only $217 on Amazon. 

Is it worth the price? Let’s find out.

My experience

You’ll even find 2 RJ45 ethernet jacks on the Z97.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

First off, the Neo Z97 shipped with Windows 11, and I decided against installing Linux over it. Since Windows 11 is a resource hog, I thought it would be best to see how well the hardware handled the OS first. Sure, I could install a Linux distribution on the PC, knowing it would vastly outperform Windows, but this time around I wanted to experience the default.

As is with Windows 11, the initial setup was time consuming and, inferior to any Linux distribution I’ve ever used. But this isn’t a debate about Linux vs. Windows (because you know where I stand on that); this is all about the PC itself.

Once the setup was completed, I ran the tiny PC through what would be my normal daily routine, including installing LibreOffice, launching Ollama/Msty, browsing the web, and watching videos on YouTube.

As far as everyday tasks go, the New Z97 performed far better than I expected from such a tiny machine. LibreOffice opened quickly, editing images with GIMP was painless, websites loaded as fast as they would on my main desktop PC, and YouTube videos and music on Spotify played without issue.

The most resource-intensive task was Ollama/Msty (because local AI can gobble up system resources), and it pushed the Z97 to its limits. To be fair, Ollama/Msty pushes my System76 Thelio (an absolute beast of a computer), so I was not at all surprised that this mini PC struggled a bit with the local AI. If the machine included a dedicated GPU, that might not be the case, but, as is, it’s not exactly designed for localized AI usage.

Also: The best mini PCs you can buy

One thing that did surprise me was how quiet the Z97 is. I didn’t hear the fan kick in once (even during the initial upgrade of Windows 11). It’s completely silent. I had to hold my ear up to the device to finally hear the fan whirring. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

I realize the inclination for such small PCs tends to lean toward kiosks or desks with very little room, but you’d be mistaken if you thought the Minix Neo Z97 should be limited to such deployments. This tiny machine is powerful enough for everyday use. And if you need a triple monitor setup, the Z97 has you covered, which means this little beast can do some serious work.

Also: This mini Windows PC I tested competes with gaming laptops twice the price

Don’t be fooled by its size, the Z97 can serve as your desktop computer with ease and grace. It might not be the most powerful machine I’ve ever used (that would be my System76 Thelio), but it’s a far cry from the low end, and at $217 on Amazon, it’s a steal.

Minix Neo Z97 Mini PC tech specs

• CPU – Intel® Processor N97 (6MB cache, up to 3.6 GHz)
• GPU – Intel® UHD Graphics
• Memory – 12GB LPDDR5X-4800MHz (Onboard)
• Storage – 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x 4 NVMe SSD
• Storage Slot – M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x 1 NVMe Slot.
• Ethernet Chipset – 2 x RJ-45 1G Ethernet
• Connectivity – M.2 2230 Intel® 802.11AX Dual Band WIFI 6 (2.4GHz/5GHz), BT5.2
• Ports – HDMI Port: 2 x HDMI2.1 TMDS 4K@60Hz, DP Port: 1 x DP1.4 4K@60Hz, 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Input AC 100~240V, Output 12V 3A 36W Max, DC 2.5/5.5mm, 1 x Audio Output Combo Jack, and 2 x RJ-45 1G Ethernet.
• OS – Windows 11
• Size – 88×88×42mm
• Weight – 0.18kg