With the continuous development of PC technology, mini PCs have begun to emerge, allowing us to fit a host into our pockets for convenient use anytime.
1. Appearance: Compact Size
First, let’s talk about the appearance. I was quite surprised when I first saw the Asus TS10. This is the smallest packaged PC product I have ever seen, with a tiny box similar to a mobile phone package.
The front of the box features a vector graphic of the product and its name, with the Intel logo marked in the lower right corner. These designs allow us to easily understand some information about the product before unboxing it.
Upon opening the package, we can see the Asus TS10 unit along with the power adapter, HDMI extension cable, and mounting bracket.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the design of the Asus TS10.
The dimensions of the Asus TS10 are 13.5cm x 3.6cm x 1.65cm, making it a “supermodel” in the PC world. Overall, it adopts black as the main color, and the design is very minimalist, with only the Asus logo on the front.
On the sides are the port areas of the Asus TS10. Despite its compact size, it has a rich array of ports. On the left side, it has 1 USB 3.0 port, 1 USB 2.0 port, and 1 3.5mm audio port. The right side features a Micro USB port.
These ports can meet the essential requirements for daily mobile office work, allowing us to connect keyboards, mice, mobile storage devices, and smartphones. As the saying goes: “Though the sparrow is small, it has all its vital organs.”
In addition to these ports, the Asus TS10 also features dense ventilation holes on both sides. These ventilation holes, along with the internal fan, enable the product to dissipate heat effectively, ensuring safe operation.
Through actual experience, it operates very quietly, with no fan whistling during use.
On the top, the Asus TS10 has an HDMI port. This design is similar to the USB flash drives we use daily. As long as your device has an HDMI port, you can connect the Asus TS10. Monitors, projectors, and TVs on the market can all serve as our display screens. If using the built-in HDMI port is inconvenient, the included HDMI extension cable allows for easy expansion, which is a great convenience. Kudos to Asus for this feature.
At the bottom, Asus has placed the power switch for the TS10. I really like this design. Firstly, the position is cleverly chosen; after connecting the device to the monitor, the bottom switch design allows for easy power-on operation. Secondly, it features an ergonomic design, with a recessed switch that helps me find the position accurately. Even in dark environments, I can operate it without any pressure.
2. Actual Experience: Getting Big Things Done for Little Money
Having discussed the appearance, let’s take a look at the user experience of the Asus TS10.
1. Installation
First, let’s talk about the installation of the Asus TS10. As I mentioned in the appearance section, its installation is simply plugging it into the HDMI port of a monitor.
Since I am using the Asus TS10 for office work, I chose a desktop monitor as my screen.
Most monitor ports are at the back, and this Asus VL279HE is no exception. Plugging it in directly was a bit troublesome, as I had to reach behind to power it on.
At this point, the included mounting bracket and HDMI extension cable come into play, allowing the TS10 to be mounted on the monitor or placed on the desktop. This makes powering it on significantly more convenient.
In terms of expansion, the Asus TS10 comes with a dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth 4.1 module, allowing me to connect to my home Wi-Fi and wireless devices.
During the experience, the built-in Wi-Fi module was a pleasant surprise. I initially thought I would need to purchase an external wireless network card after receiving this product. Having it built-in saved me several hundred yuan. The wireless network was very stable during use, with no disconnections while working.
The Bluetooth module also provides great convenience for users. It allows wireless peripherals to connect to the TS10 host. This not only keeps the desktop tidy but also frees up ports for other external devices.
Interestingly, Asus has integrated a software called VivoRemote Center into the TS10, which allows the host to connect with a smartphone, enabling wireless control of the product. This way, even when connecting the device to a projector or TV, there is no need for additional peripherals; just a smartphone can manage mouse and touchpad functions. This not only frees up space but also expands the usability of the Asus TS10.
2. Configuration
After discussing installation, let’s talk about the hardware configuration of the Asus TS10. I believe many people have the same concern when purchasing a mini PC: with such a small body, how is the hardware configuration?
This Asus TS10 is powered by an Intel ATOM X5 Z8350 processor, a quad-core SoC that is compatible with both Windows and Android devices. It uses a 14nm process architecture and can provide a burst frequency of 80MHz, helping us with video playback, document processing, and more.
Let’s take a look at the benchmark results of this CPU.
First, looking at the scores from the benchmarking software, it scored 28619 points, with performance matching its budget price.
Next, let’s look at the CPU-Z scores. In single-core and multi-core thread tests, the Intel ATOM X5 Z8350 processor scored 64.6 points in single-core and 243.5 points in multi-core performance. In the CINEBENCH test, I only conducted the R15 test. After multiple tests, it scored 93cb. In the chess multi-threaded operation scoring, this CPU achieved a single-thread score of 770 k steps/second and a 4-thread score of 2847 k steps/second. As for the graphics, it uses Intel HD Graphics integrated graphics with 16 execution units and a 64-bit bus width. This means the host can handle some games that are not graphics-intensive. In terms of storage, the Asus TS10 has 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 31GB Hynix HBG4a2 main storage, which basically meets my daily storage needs.
Using CrystalDiskMark software for random testing, its maximum read and write speeds were quite satisfactory.
3. User Experience
After discussing the configuration, let’s finally look at the user experience of the Asus TS10. The most common scenario for using the Asus TS10 is office work. Since office content is not convenient to display, I chose to showcase it through online high-definition video playback.
Using video streaming websites, it can easily handle high-definition playback of popular movies, web series, and variety shows, all with smooth performance and no stuttering.
Next, I played a 4K video, and it still managed to play smoothly without any stuttering.
In terms of document processing, the Asus TS10 comes pre-installed with a genuine Windows 10 system, handling common office software like Word, PPT, and Excel effortlessly.
As for gaming, as mentioned in the configuration, the Asus TS10 is not suitable for AAA titles. It can only handle some light games. I saw online that some friends were able to run Red Alert easily on this product, so I chose to try Red Alert: The Republic of Glory. Indeed, the public’s eyes are sharp; the Asus TS10 can run this game effortlessly.
Conclusion
After this period of experience, the Asus TS10 left a deep impression on me. In conclusion,
Overall, the Asus TS10 meets the needs of online courses and office work while also catering to entertainment needs. Its compact size makes it very portable. Additionally, it boasts a rich array of ports and includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Whether we use wired or wireless peripherals, it can accommodate them, providing excellent expandability.
Moreover, its overall performance is consistent with its price. Therefore, the Asus TS10 offers great value for money. If you have similar office needs as I do, consider this product.
