In recent years a number of PC makers have introduced small form-factor (SFF) and ultra-compact form-factor (UCFF) computers based on AMD's latest accelerated processing units (APUs), but none of those systems are as tiny as Intel's NUCs. Asus is one of a few manufacturers to actually offer its Mini PC PN-series AMD-powered UCFF machines that are just as compact as NUCs and they have just updated them to feature AMD Ryzen 5000 series APUs.
Asus freshly introduced Mini PC PN51 packs AMD's Ryzen 5000U-series mobile processors with up to eight Zen 2 cores as well as up to Radeon Vega 7 graphics. The APU can be paired with a maximum of 32 GB of DDR4-3200 memory. Storage is via an M.2-2280 SSD with up to 1TB capacity, and a 2.5-inch 1 TB 7200-RPM hard drive. Meanwhile, the system still measures 115×115×49 mm has a 0.62-liter volume.
(Image credit: Asus)
The diminutive size of the Asus Mini PC PN51 does not impact the choice of ports on offer. The desktop computer is equipped with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 module (or a Wi-Fi 5 + BT 4.2), a 2.5 GbE or a GbE connector, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C receptacles (supporting DisplayPort mode), an HDMI output with CEC support, a 3-in-1 card reader, a configurable port (which can be used for Ethernet, DisplayPort, D-Sub or COM ports), and a combo audio jack.
(Image credit: Asus)
Asus seems to position the Mini PC PN51 as a universal PC suitable for both home and office. The configurable I/O port that can add an Ethernet connector or a COM header is obviously aimed at corporate and business users. In addition, the PC has a TPM module on board. Meanwhile, the system also has an IR receiver (something that many modern UCFF and SFF PCs lost following Apple's Mac Mini) and a Microsoft Cortana-compatible microphone array that will be particularly beneficial for home users that will use the PN51 as an HTPC.
(Image credit: Asus)
As far as power consumption and noise levels are concerned, the PN51 consumes as little as 9W at idle, produces 21.9 dBA of noise at idle, and 34.7 dBA at full load.
(Image credit: Asus)
The Asus Mini PC PN51 will be available shortly. Pricing will depend on configuration as Asus plans to offer numerous models based on the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, and AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processors with various memory and storage configurations.
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Anton Shilov is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. Over the past couple of decades, he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends.
Those things are virtually silent, and can vesa mount.
If you want to turn your TV into Ultrabook class performer, buy it, they are considerably cheaper than anything else you can get to get VESA mounted hidden PC.
I use 5500u as my daily now for a month, only because 5700u's had month delay getting, so I got a cheaper option, and they returned me 100$.
I don't know how proshop had them a literal month before release, but I don't care.
The Ryzen 3 5300u, Ryzen 5 5500u and Ryzen 7 5700u are not Zen 3 Processors. They are Zen 2 based.
We've corrected the article. The Ryzen 7 5800U is Cezanne with Zen 3, while the others are Lucienne-based with Zen 2. Nice confusing naming conventions on the 5000-series Ryzen parts.
If the Linux support is solid, then I'm definitely interested.
Typically AMD provides good linux drivers, and they are generally considered much better than the drivers from the competition, however not sure how great the support will be from ASUS.
If the Linux support is solid, then I'm definitely interested.
I ride Ub 20.04 without any issues. I did not try a lot on it though, this box have VM's, browsers sometimes simple game like factorio.
One word of warning, if you need more ram on GPU, for now it's not configurable, stuck on 512MB. I could not find any way to change it. (I feel like might want 1GB/2GB when I have 32GB of ram)
In general Linux love AMD's especially GPU's.
