Mini PC with Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports: A Comprehensive Review

Recently, we purchased several mini PC products, among which the Mechanic Creator mini2 is relatively inexpensive due to its quasi-system mode, which does not include memory or hard drive, making it convenient for knowledgeable users to upgrade.

In addition, it has an important configuration — equipped with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports.

The dual high-speed Ethernet ports enable users to create soft routers or NAS, a configuration rarely seen in laptops. So how does it perform in real tests? Today, we will analyze it briefly:

Mechanic Creator mini2

Swipe left to see the ports

Front of the device

Back of the device

Its specifications are as follows:

R7 7840H processor

Length 130.2mm

Width 126.8mm

Height 47.6mm

Weight 470.7g

Adapter weight 321.1g

Reference price 2499 yuan

Its pros and cons are as follows:

Pros!

1. Equipped with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports

2. Low fan noise under high load

3. Fabric surface + white body, quite rare

Cons!

1. Poor internal craftsmanship

2. Average performance release

3. Performance mode needs to be adjusted in BIOS, which is quite troublesome

【Upgrade Suggestions】

This mini PC is not difficult to disassemble; just remove all the screws on the bottom to take off the top cover, disconnect the cable of the small fan above, and remove the motherboard cover to install memory and solid state.

There are two memory slots inside, supporting a maximum of 64GB DDR5 SODIMM memory.

The device has only one 2280 specification M.2 slot, supporting PCIE4.0×4 speed.

【Purchase Suggestions】

1. Need for multiple Ethernet ports

2. Certain aesthetic requirements

3. Not pursuing extreme performance release

Among the mini PCs we have discussed, the Mechanic Creator mini2 is relatively high in aesthetics, and the quasi-system means you can freely match the internal storage specifications; achieving 8GB + 4TB is also not a problem.

In terms of interfaces, the front of the device has one USB4 (supporting 100W PD power supply and DP1.4 video output) port, two USB-A 10Gbps, and one 3.5mm audio port;

The back of the device has two 2.5G Ethernet ports, one USB2.0, USB-A 10Gbps, HDMI2.0, DP1.4, and DC power interface.

In terms of noise, its full load noise level is 47.1dB. (Ambient noise is 35.1dB)

Currently, mainstream mini PCs are basically equipped with 2.5G Ethernet ports, but few have two like the Creator mini2.

So, if you want a visually appealing mini PC with rich Ethernet expansion, you can consider this computer.

However, if you are pursuing cost-effectiveness and do not need dual Ethernet ports, other single-port mini PCs will suit your performance needs better.

Swipe left to see the cover fan

Motherboard cover fan

【Cooling Analysis】

The above image is a disassembly shot of the Mechanic Creator mini2, which uses a centrifugal fan + heat pipe with fins solution, and there is a small fan on the motherboard cover to assist with cooling.

Room temperature 25℃

Reflectivity 1.0

BIOS version: 101

Using Stress FPU single burn CPU, the maximum CPU temperature is 90.6℃, stabilizing around 88.8℃, power consumption 45W, core frequency around 3.8GHz.

After updating the BIOS and EC, enabling performance mode in BIOS, the maximum CPU temperature is 92.1℃, stabilizing around 92.0℃, power consumption 47W, core frequency around 3.9GHz.

Swipe left to see the device temperature

Front temperature of the device

Back temperature of the device

Bottom temperature of the device

The surface temperatures are shown in the images above, with the maximum temperature on the device cover reaching 41.3℃, center point 35.3℃, front center point 40.3℃, back center point 38.8℃, and bottom center point 31.5℃.

Its cooling performance did not reach the advertised 65W, speculating that the fan speed has not been maximized; under full load, the fan speed is obviously not up to par and needs further optimization.

【Final Thoughts】

Although the dual Ethernet ports are interesting, what truly attracts me about this computer is its aesthetics; being able to buy a mini PC with a white body for 2499 is very eye-catching among the group of “bulky Intel NUCs”.

To be honest, its performance release is below our expectations, and the internal wiring is relatively rough; even the BIOS battery is not secured, and shaking the machine produces a “clunking” sound. This might be the price of 2499 yuan.

This computer is suitable for those who want to build a small soft router or AIO NAS, or for users who like white designs. Besides that, it lacks strong competitiveness. Conversely, this is also quite good; it is not easy for a computer to have two selling points remembered by me, especially a 2499 yuan computer.