In today’s world, many “working professionals” often bring their unfinished work home, which has become a common practice. Previously, I was using an all-in-one PC at home to save space. However, over the past year, this all-in-one has been quite unreliable, resulting in several reprimands from my boss. I had to replace it. The goal for this new computer was clear: save space and be functional for work.

Recently, I spent over a thousand yuan to get the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H. This is a mini PC designed primarily for business use, and my first impression is that it is exceptionally small, making it very space-efficient on the desktop. If you’re also interested in mini PCs, feel free to follow this article to learn more.

Three Versions Available, Starting from Just 1500 for the Base System

The “Zero刻” brand is quite reputable in the mini PC market. I had previously considered Xiaomi’s mini PC, but I felt that “Zero刻” offers more professionalism and a wider range of options.

The Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H has three versions available: Base System, 16GB/500GB, and 16GB/1TB. The base system costs around 1500 yuan, and the choice of version depends on personal preference. I opted for the 16GB/500GB version for convenience.

In most cases, mini PCs are usually placed on the desktop. However, if you want to save even more space, you can use the wall mount bracket from the accessories to install it behind the monitor or underneath or beside the computer desk. Although small, the bracket is very effective.

Additionally, its power adapter is also very small, comparable in size to a mobile phone fast-charging adapter, not the bulky type.

Compact, Exquisite, Space-Saving, Fully Equipped Interfaces

Modern individuals pursue simplicity and minimalism, and I am no exception. When faced with a bulky and cluttered computer desk, my work mood and efficiency suffer significantly.

The Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H is perfect for those creating a new desktop setup. With a size that is only one-fortieth of a desktop PC, combined with its exquisite design, it fits harmoniously under a monitor stand or in other locations without being an eyesore.

In terms of color, the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H is available in navy blue and millennium gray; I personally prefer the latter. What do you think of this color? Isn’t it appealing?

Despite costing just over a thousand yuan, the materials and craftsmanship of the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H are not subpar. It features an ABS plastic top cover, a metal intake mesh, and a metal bottom shell, with a fabric covering on top that offers breathability, waterproofing, and splash resistance, giving it a high-quality overall appearance.

Now, let’s talk about the interface configuration. In daily work, we often need many interfaces, and as consumers, we naturally hope for a sufficient number of interfaces so that we don’t have to prepare a docking station separately, making usage more convenient.

Looking at the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H, I found that the designer has maximized the use of every position on the device. The front is equipped with two USB3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) ports, a Type-C port, and a combined audio jack; the back has a gigabit Ethernet port, two USB2.0 (480Mbps) ports, a DP 1.4 4K 144Hz port, and an HDMI2.0 4K 60Hz port. With so many interfaces, daily use is basically sufficient.

i5-12450H Processor, Benchmark Score Over 880,000

The core of the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H is the Intel Core i5-12450H processor, which is built on a 10nm process with 8 cores and 12 threads, with a turbo frequency of up to 4.4GHz, performing well in daily office tasks and light gaming. I conducted a simple test using CPU-Z, where the single-core score was 694, and the multi-core score was 3987.

Using software like Luda Master for benchmarking a computer is similar to using AnTuTu for benchmarking a phone; it provides a reference for consumers to some extent.

As seen in the image below, the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H scored 888,444 on Luda Master, with a processor score of 461,469, a graphics score of 60,473, a memory score of 163,364, and a disk score of 203,138. From these scores, we can see that this mini PC handles work tasks without issues, but it may struggle with large 3D games. If your primary use case is gaming, I would not recommend this model; you might want to look at the GTR series instead.

In a Cinebench R23 test, the single-core score was 1616, and the multi-core score was 8125.

Memory is a crucial component of a computer, and its performance directly impacts the overall performance of the PC. The Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H has ample upgrade space, supporting dual-channel 64GB DDR4 3200MHz memory, allowing for upgrades regardless of the version purchased.

I am currently using the 16GB/500GB version of the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H. Using CrystalDiskMark software for testing, I found that the read speed was 4856MB/s and the write speed was 1932MB/s. In daily use, the transfer speeds are noticeably fast, significantly speeding up my work.

Smooth Multi-tasking, No Stress in Photo Editing and Video Cutting

The previous all-in-one PC I used slowed down significantly when too many web applications were open, which was very frustrating. In contrast, the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H performs excellently, handling multiple tasks smoothly without needing to close one application to open another, and switching between applications is quick.

Photo editing in Photoshop is a crucial part of my daily work. As we all know, this software has certain requirements for computer specifications. The Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H handles photo editing without any stress, with quick image opening and rendering.

In today’s world, video editing has become an essential skill for modern youth. If video editing frequently crashes or lags, it’s likely due to the computer’s performance.

I usually use the desktop version of Jianying, and even with many materials added, it runs smoothly without lag, easily handling video editing. If you enjoy video editing, the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H can fully meet your needs.

Some may worry about heat dissipation due to the small size of the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H. However, this concern is unnecessary. As a brand with multiple series and a rich product line, Zero刻 has certainly considered this aspect. This mini PC features a dual-fan design with a CPU silent fan, a system fan, and heat sinks. With these configurations working together, the device has never experienced crashes or lag due to overheating.

Furthermore, the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H has many notable features, such as dual-screen display, support for dual 4K displays, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and more, all of which are undoubtedly beneficial during daily use.

Some features may not be used regularly, but they are certainly better than “not supported when needed”.

From my usage over this period, the overall performance of the Zero刻 SEi12 i5-12450H has met my expectations. Its compact size saves space, its exquisite design looks sophisticated, and its smooth and stable performance makes me feel that the over a thousand yuan spent was worthwhile.

Currently, the user base for mini PCs is relatively small, but it is undeniable that this is a significant trend for the future. If you also like mini PCs, just choose the right brand to avoid disappointment.