Nowadays, thanks to the ever-increasing miniaturization, you can buy even smaller HTPC devices, which can still prove useful as a very energy-efficient office computer.For testing, I chose a product from the highly respected company MeLE. Since the beginning of this year, they have been offering the PCG03 and PCG09 box models, and since May, the PCG01 dongle. The tested model MeLE PCG03 has a quad-core Intel Atom processor and runs on a legal version of Windows 8.1. Is it worth buying MeLE PCG03? You will find out in this article. target="_blank">test.

Our hardware testing department has seen a few Mini PC devices, but their primary operating system was Android. For multimedia applications or occasional internet browsing, this system may be sufficient for the average user. However, we need to return to the roots, when the idea of ​​placing relatively powerful components in smaller cases was popular. Such mini PCs were called HTPCs (Home Theater Personal Computers) and typically had Windows with the Media Center extension installed or stripped-down Linux distributions, most often based on XBMC (now Kodi). Running Windows or Linux on such a small computer also allowed it to be used for other purposes, such as editing documents or even writing applications. Many people built their own rigs, selecting components that fit into a sleek case.

Nowadays, thanks to the ever-increasing miniaturization, you can buy even smaller devices that are essentially HTPCs, but can also function as very energy-efficient office computers.

For testing, I chose a product from the highly regarded company MeLE. Since the beginning of this year, it has been offering box models PCG03, PCG09 and, since May, dongle PCG01. The tested modelMeLE PCG03 has a quad-core Intel Atom processor and runs on a legal version of Windows 8.1.

MeLE PCG03 Specifications

Packaging and Contents

The box, made of thin corrugated cardboard, looks quite nice. It's dark in color with a mostly matte finish, but also partially glossy, and decorated with a delicate gold embossing on the model name. On the top, we have a photo of this Mini PC, the Intel Inside badge, and circular pictograms. The device specification is located on the side, and on the back panel, a photo of the back of the case with a description of the connectors.

In the box measuring 22.5 x 16.5 x 7 cm, after opening we see an additional cover with a description of the space for accessories. The main device is placed in the upper compartment. Underneath it are the rest of the accessories – quite modest.

The set includes:

1. Device MeLE PCG03 MiniPC

The case has a quite interesting design. The whole thing is a cuboid with rounded side edges. The housing is mostly made of matte plastic, but with a cut-out and, as it were, embedded shiny area that appears to be transparent – ​​although you can't see the inside of the device through it.

On the front there is only a small LED that lights up intensely blue (during normal operation) or red (in standby). The left side has a physical power button, a full-size SD card slot (which hides completely in a slot), and one of three USB ports. The rear is made of metal and houses the remaining ports: power, VGA, HDMI, RJ-45, two full-size USB ports, and a mini jack for headphones or speakers. There's also an anti-theft feature—a Kensington Lock. We also have a permanently mounted Wi-Fi antenna, about 11 cm long, which can be tilted and rotated sideways and up.

We have nothing on the right side, so it is also possible to place the Mini PC on this wall. The bottom is made of metal, which also forms part of the passive cooling system. Large, well-functioning rubber feet are attached to the bottom. The manufacturer also glued the model number here. This part has four threaded holes that allow it to be hung on a wall or, for example, on the back of a TV.

The housing is decorated with a sticker with an Intel hologram Atom Inside. The whole thing fits together very well and looks nice under a TV or monitor.

2.External power supply

3. Instruction in English

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