SUPER AFFORDABLE Ryzen powered Linux desktop: DeskMini UM350 Review

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#linux #minipc #manjaro

00:00 Intro
00:44 Sponsor: Extend the life of your PHP applications
01:33 Chassis and I/O
04:35 Performance and benchmarks
08:44 Software
09:57 Worth it, or not?
11:11 Support the channel

It's a very, very small box made mostly out of plastic. Basically a small cube at about 13 cm length and width, and 5 cm in height.

The only branding is the Minisforum logo on the top, and a sticker that tells you how to open the device. unfortunately, that sticker is very, very sticky, and removing it left tons of glue marks.

There are multiple configuration you can get: an 8GB of RAM / 128 GB of storage, for 299, a 8 / 256 GB model, for 339, a 16 / 512 GB model, or a 16 / 256 GB model, that respectively cost 399 and 369.

Also in the box is the power cable and brick, and HDMI cable, a displayport cable, and a mounting bracket, so you can slot that little PC at the back of your monitor.

The I/O is pretty complete, with 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and HDMI 2.0 port, a displayport, and 2.5Gig ethernet port, and the power input at the back, plus that little kensignton lock if you want to tether that PC to your desk.

In the front, you get the power button, a headphone jack, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port, in blue, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port in yellow, and a USB C port that can also serve to power the device.

Whatever the model you want, you'll get the same APU: it's a Ryzen 5 3550H, with radeon Vega 8 graphics.

This little CPU isn't the most modern there is, but it's still quite capable, with 4 cores and 8 threads. It gets 967 in single core score in geekbench 5, and 3348 in multi core.

Idle temperatures are around 43 degrees Celsius, with an external temperature of the room of about 30 degrees. When running steam and installing games, a relatively intensive operation with a lot of reading and writing, temperatures maintained at around 55 to 60 degrees. And when gaming, and in intensive tasks, temperatures climbed to about 70 degrees, at which point the fan started running.

Now, for gaming, that thing won't let you play AAA titles at the highest quality, of course. It's more going to be indie titles, or 720p low, but it can still game.

All while I was playing, the fan started spinning up, but the noise really isn't too bad, which is important for a small PC like that that's going to be sitting on your desk close to you, or mounted behind your monitor.

Of course, it's more meant as an office desktop computer, or even a server, and in that case, it's going to do very well. The CPU is more than enough to carry you through office work, web browsing, viewing movies or videos online, or even some light creation, like using Krita, GIMP, or even Kdenlive. It could also make for a good set top box for your TV, using Plasma Bigscreen or a media center distro, or an emulation retro console with a bit more oomph than a raspberry pi, even up to Gamecube or PS2 titles.

Now, of course, this mini PC runs Linux. You can buy it with Windows from MinisForum, but it also exists with Manjaro, which is why we're reviewing it here, of course.

[JS-wlgi]

These are the pc I wish I had access too in the 2010s with fast ports extra. Glad to see Linux running great out of the box.

[InfernalMonsoon]

Honestly this little thing looks like it would be great to have and it seems like it has a bunch of potential uses for many different people too. Always been a big fan of portability and seeing how much power someone can cram into a tiny shell.

[primistandem]

Thanks Nick, I've been looking for something like this for my mom. But all the ones I kept finding where way more expensive. Mini Linux PC for my mom, this will work great.

[jamsky]

I guess it's adulthood when you figure out that more free deskspace is the most usable feature of any computer :P

[lerigan]

It’s a good move to ship it with KDE. It’s, in my opinion, easier for Windows folks to transition over to GNU/Linux using KDE.

[joeygo]

I have the Minisforum B550 super happy, got back to Linux after a long time! The first time I heard about Linux was in an actual magazine and I had the Ubuntu CD shipped to Mexico I think it was Ubuntu 07.04 💕

[scpatlnow]

If you wanted to run your own router/firewall hardware device this would be a really great option out of the box. Just get a couple of USB gigabit ethernet adapters and you could run your local LAN and a separate wireless access point. The hardware is way more than sufficient for that. Other than using an old PC with some extra ethernet cards this would be a great option (and takes up a hell of a lot less space).

[nessu]

Great review Nick! This little device seems pretty interesting, I think the budget PC/Laptop market is still the most untapped market for Linux. With all these high powered ultrabooks and workstations going around, it's very surprising to me considering that it's the most important range to hit. Have you by any chance you've heard of the StarLite? And if so, is there any chance you can review it? It's one of the few budget options we have for Linux, so I think it'd be great to make more people aware of it. StarLabs in general is doing something so great, making original builds instead and crafting their own ecosystem instead of rebranding already existing models. I hope you're having a great day by the way! With love from a Linux enthusiast.

[JohnSmith-ytdi]

Mini PCs like these are the future of desktop computing. Full and mid towers are on their way out. I think with ARM chips on the rise Linux for ARM could give Windows a serious run for its money.

[martinus_mars]

This looks awesome ... I hope they keep making more in the future ...

[seraaron]

A few years ago I finally built my 'dream PC'. An almost completely passively cooled near-top-of-the-end (at the time) tower. I love this thing. I love how powerful and whisper quiet it is. But it's also massive. Now, between the steam deck and things like this, I've realized that the miniturization of tech is still getting better and better. Despite us reaching the limit of moore's law, it looks like other components can still be miniturized further. So I think when I finally decide to upgrade my current desktop, I may well end up switching to one of these little beasts!

[GimblyGFR]

I really like your hardware reviews. Most hardware reviews are boring, but you do a great work with the subject. Also, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive rules. It is great to know you are a Sega guy.

[gxnn.i]

Just purchased! going to use this as a mini home server. thanks for the review!

[WyvernDotRed]

You can clean up the sticker residue with the sticker itself.
Just repeatedly stick it to the glue rests and pull it off again.
Works surprisingly well for removing the residue.

[meowcula]

I love these little things. The form factor is so cute. I think it's silly to expect everything to be a gaming pc. There's other angles to cover. Like this would make an excellent living room media pc. If you wanted to play AAA titles at better quality - you can always stream the game to it as well, assuming you have another pc in the house that's built for gaming. This would handle that, no problem. I think that calling it an office pc or server is underselling it. it would be overkill for those tasks. I also would only get the 128GB 8GB option I think. I can easily install more ram in storage in it as needed, and I won't need more than 128gb for a system ssd. Overall, I think it's a fantastic unit for the price.

[frankgrajeda]

French guy living in Spain making English language content that this American loves. Merci, Gracias, and Thank You!!

[supervidak]

This pc looks really good for my grandma (she has a really old 2010 pc)

[PearComputingDevices]

Very neat but I would be a lot more impressed if it had something like a 5600u or even a 5800u. These APUs put Intel to shame in so many ways. 8 cores, 16 threads under 25 watts, definitely in a league of it's own making price point upgrades even better. Still it's neat. It definitely puts Intels low end to shame for about the same money. You would be lucky to find this with a Pentium gold for $299.

[cecece]

Incradible computer, i'm thinking of buying one now

[Kuratius]

Would be nice if it had a ryzen6000 or mendocino apu :/

The ryzen 6000 ones would even do well for gaming, as long as you're willing to compromise on resolution.