Why This Mini Stands Out From the Crowd - ACEMAGIC S1 Review

[@dave_r]

Maybe I'm not being fair, but it feels like every ACEMAGIC system out there comes with something(s) wrong that would have been easy to get right, yet they didn't bother. Granted, things like having to set up an auto-run in Windows for the LCD screen isn't a huge deal, if you already know how to do it, and it shouldn't have been necessary: it's so easy for an app to ask if you want it to start with Windows. And not being able to tell the BIOS to leave the LCD screen off when the system is powered off should have been included. The fact that there's always *something(s)* wrong with their units, especially when things could have been easily fixed, would make me suspicious of any system from them. It's too bad, because I think a number of unique things they do would be selling points if they were done better.

[@jonevansauthor]

Yes, not being able to turn off the screen is extremely bad. Got it in your bedroom? Do you want the light or do you prefer sleep? Silly mistake for them to make.

[@godnyx117]

Thanks for the review! Also, thank you for including Linux support in your reviews!

[@TrusteftTech]

Interesting. I absolutely adore the better temps and second M.2 slot. Also it is nice that it comes without the gift that keeps on giving. Altered OS installation is a no no from me, I could barely tolerate it from much larger companies when there was no serious threat of something bad happening. It doesn't have to be something malicious, but considering their past I don't feel comfortable about it. Thanks for the review.

[@avidwriter2882]

Great job. Linux could probably get the windows app to run through wine or something, but is it worth it?

[@N3tigen]

Do we make this inbuilt screen functionality in mini desktop pc just installed a raspberry Pi screen on front of the tower and connect with raspberry Pi inside body.😅

[@blackbeanburger3357]

i reckon there is a market for replacement cases for these models with PI screens and better cooling

[@kniknayme9865]

Nope . Bot an AceMagic a week ago. Came with malware and the unit fried in less than 24 hrs.

[@popthatbeep]

Hi can you help me? I have this unit, but n97 version. If I want to to do a clean install on it, what should I tell my local pc tech? Can I then use it normally without any problem? I really don’t understand the software firmware thing

[@Robtech]

Just do a Windows Cloud Reset if you're worried about it. No need to pay anybody. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKPKnqZ6obCirrM

[@blackbeanburger3357]

probably best on the safe side to just wipe any minipc with a fresh windows install just to save the hassle of potential malware bullshit. getting a unit with good driver support is just as important as the specs itself

[@jabonorte]

To be fair to Acemagic, they seem to be communicating about the malware issue - they could have just kept quiet, run down stocks through Amazon and then rebranded. Think starting point for Intel needs to be N300 though - slightly fewer performance compromises. Shame it's more expensive

[@tendosingh5682]

Hard to justify N300 when you can get Ryzen 6 and 8 cores at that pricing.

[@jabonorte]

@@tendosingh5682 completely agree. For $120 dollars an N100 barebones is a fun thing to mess around with. $190 for a complete box is about $50 short of a 5xxx that crushes it. Just saying that n100 is just about powerful enough to use but really Intel should be leading with N300 specs. Can’t see them pricing it cheaply enough though, and it would still be outclassed in gaming by older Ryzen machines at the same price point. Intel are still good for productivity though

[@MrPir84free]

@@jabonorte The only thing I've seen more likely on the N305's and N100's seems to be multiple network jacks ( rj45 ). Performance wise, there are better choices, unless you have a want or need for multiple network ports built in.

[@srvuk]

I like the easy access to the storage and RAM and that it supports an additional M.2, albeit not NVME. DDR5 is good. The USB ports are disappointing as I would like 2 of them to be Gen2. The screen i just a gimmick for me. With the Goodtico recently recently recently for £160, the value of this just doesn't warrant a first, let alone second look for me.

[@sandman8]

DDR5 is good but this one has DDR4.

[@74357175]

Any API for controlling the LCD screen from other OSes?

[@Robtech]

Unfortunately not

[@WassPlus2230]

​@Robtech Brother What is better in gaming n95 or n100

[@MrPir84free]

It seems that this PC suffers from lower performance overall; maybe someone made a decision to "turn off" the AV because it might improve performance, and someone else in manufacturing saw that, and decided to add in some flavor.. Yes, most new users might skip looking to see if the AV was turned off, and it was a ripe opportunity..

[@ernstoud]

So the LCD app needs admin… oi… with their previous snafu this is suspicious.

[@friendly_pyro]

Can the CPU be upgraded to a Ryzer 5 5600?

[@Robtech]

No

[@friendly_pyro]

@@Robtech fuck dammit. Anyways, thank you

[@Robtech]

Most minis use mobile CPUs which are not upgradeable. The ASRock Deskmini X300 supports the AM4 socket and a Ryzen 5 5600G.

[@friendly_pyro]

@@Robtech thank you, pal

[@mredizon00]

Nah I won't trust it. At minimum I'll nuke the OS and get either Linux Mint or Cube OS on it.

[@TimHunold]

Where are all the n300 minis? Seems they are all routers, even n200 are rare

[@Robtech]

I can only assume there's a limited quantity of those chips, and they're priced higher, making them unattractive.

[@MrPir84free]

For about the same price range that most N305's are being sold, you could relatively easily find better systems based of from 8C/16T chipsets like the AMD 7735, or 5700? or 5800?, which will have fewer limitations than the N305's. I think it's not just a supply and demand issue, but competition in the same space; if you only need one Network port, why not grab a more potent 7735 over a N305. Those chips are just in a price range where many times, a better solution already exists. For the Intel guys, there are also similar 8C/12T machines in the same price range; Just think that the N305's are just not competitive because there's better options.

[@TimHunold]

@MrPir84free I need home Linux servers. AMD will never have a place in my home until they port well to Adobe

[@gtech66]

Trusting Ace Magician will never happen for me. There should be zero tolerance for any company that uses a pirated copy of Windows to bypass the activation process.

[@ianhawkins4979]

Großartig.

[@TekMerc]

Let me guess, it stands out because it has *premium* tier spyware pre-installed.

[@roadkill11000]

Yes. It's called Windows 11...

[@TekMerc]

@@roadkill11000 zing!

[@smartcam1701]

two slot ddr would be sold

[@Robtech]

Alder Lake N CPUs only supports single channel

[@greghughes8147]

Aces of Malware

[@DonDolbos]

Just ordered it for $150, little overpower for TV box but it's OK 😊

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

Yeah, I have no idea why you would review another ACEMAGIC product after the Malware Fiasco. It hurts your brand more than anything. Not worth it.

[@Robtech]

I don't see how reviewing a mini PC and talking about its pros and cons damages my "brand" in any way. As many mini PCs and brands should be covered as possible and helps consumers looking for reviews of minis like this one.

[@MrPir84free]

To be fair, he didn't hide the fact; to be fair he actually brought the subject out to the forefront. Many might purchase and just reload windows or another OS. N100's are often more popular for other purposes such as routers.

[@Zysperro]

There're a lot of OEM variations of this model that don't have OS at all (I got one thanks to this review), so I think that it's fine.