TOP-5 nettops at the end of 2015

Lenovo IdeaCentre Stick 300 (90ER000BRU)

The main advantage of the Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300 microcomputer is its compactness. You can literally put it in your pocket and take it with you. It also connects without problems — it is enough to insert it into the HDMI port of a TV or monitor and make simple settings . Microcomputers have enough power for simple tasks, including watching HD videos. And their cost is comparable to low-cost media players and less than that of nettops. However, there are also disadvantages — a small number of ports and a lack of modernization.

In our market, the Ideacentre Stick 300 has become the second model among similar devices after Intel Compute Stick. Moreover, Lenovo's solution is in some moments better than Intel's analogue, for example, Ideacentre's card reader and Wi-Fi module work faster.

Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300 is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor with a frequency of 1.33 GHz (and the ability to automatically "overclock" to 1.83 GHz). It has 2 GB of DDR3 RAM with a frequency of 1333 MHz, data is stored on an eMMC drive with a volume of 32 GB, and the built-in Intel graphics are responsible for the image. In Ideacentre Stick 300, you will also be able to deliver a memory card if there is not enough built-in. There is a USB 2.0 and microUSB port on the case. The latter, however, is used only for nutrition. Wireless communications are provided by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules (they are available in all models from our review). The computer is running Windows 8.1 (with the possibility of upgrading to version 10).

On this computer you can surf the Internet, listen to music, watch videos, use familiar programs (Skype, Word, Adobe Reader and others). For more complex tasks, for example, 3D games or image processing, its resources are not enough (although it all depends on the load — you can play the third "Heroes"). And opening a lot of tabs in the browser is also not the best idea. And due to the fact that the device has only one USB port, you will not be able to directly connect the mouse and keyboard: you will need either a USB hub or a keyboard kit and mice with Bluetooth interface. Although, if you plan to connect it to a large TV, then you will still have to buy such a set, since it is inconvenient to sit close to a screen with a wide diagonal.

If you are thinking about buying a Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300, consider two nuances. The first is the most affordable solution among portable PCs. Which, moreover, consumes a minimum of energy and works very quietly. The second is that it has a number of limitations. So think about whether it's worth taking the most affordable, but not universal solution, or it's better to pay extra, but take the best option.

MSI Cubi (009BEU-B3805UXX)

The MSI nettop is notable for its very compact size, the availability of inexpensive complete sets and great modernization possibilities. There are several versions of Cubi with black body colours on our market. They differ only in the installed processors (from Celeron to Intel Core i5 from the Broadwell line), and there is no memory and drives included. So the computer needs to be supplemented with these components and then install Windows. However, it is possible that MSI will also offer ready-to-work configurations and/or versions with a white case.

This approach has its pros and cons. One of the advantages is you can set the system parameters depending on your preferences. One of the disadvantages is that you need to spend extra money on components and install them yourself (although there is nothing complicated about this). That is, this option is more suitable for enthusiasts who understand hardware than for most ordinary users.

We included in the rating a low-cost version with an inexpensive Intel Pentium 3805U (two cores with a frequency of 1.9 GHz). Don't be confused by the name of the processor — this is not an outdated model, it was released in the first quarter of 2015. Of course, he is far from Core i5, but Cubi with him is twice cheaper than the most powerful configuration with i5-5200U. The computer has two slots for So-DIMM memory modules (standard DDR3L), and the maximum supported amount of RAM is 16 GB. Its power consumption does not exceed 30 watts, and the noise level from the cooler is very quiet (at 20 dB).

By default, the drive is used SSD type mSATA. If desired, you can also install an additional 2.5-inch "laptop" form factor hard drive. In this case, however, the case will increase in thickness to 48 mm due to the use of a special "nozzle" included in the kit. And without this module, the length, width and height are 115x111x35 mm, respectively. That is, this nettop is one of the smallest in its class. A large button placed on the corner of the case gives the design originality.

The monitor or TV is connected to this mini PC via HDMI. And if you need to connect two displays at the same time, then there is also a mini DisplayPort. By the way, it supports 4K image output (4096x2160 at 60 Hz) for complete sets with Core i3 and i5 processors. There are also two USB 3.0 ports on the back panel, a slot for a network cable and an external power supply. On the front panel there are two more USB 3.0 (one of them with the ability to charge devices when the nettop is in sleep mode) and a combined audio jack. The nettop does not have built-in speakers, so you either need to use speakers or headphones or output audio via HDMI to a TV or AV receiver.

Since Cubi are sold without a drive, there is no licensed Windows installed on them. The manufacturer offers drivers for 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 on its website. When the buyer installs the system, he will be able to solve almost any tasks on this PC, except for professional work with video, graphics, etc.

Asus VivoPC VM40B (90MS00B1-M00310)

Asus has the largest line of nettops. VivoPC VM40B refers to entry-level models. This is a good option for those who need a ready-made solution "out of the box" for relatively little money. This nettop does not require additional installation of components and is immediately ready to work. In the configuration that we took for review (and this is a low-cost option), you will only have to install the operating system . This will not cause difficulties — Windows, starting with the "seven", is easily installed from a USB flash drive, and drivers for versions from XP to 10 are available on the Asus website.

This model works on the basis of a dual-core Intel Celeron processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz and 2 GB of RAM. This may not be enough for comfortable work if you work with numerous programs or tabs in the browser. In this case, you can add another 2 GB memory bar (and in general, the system supports up to 16 GB of RAM). And the volume of a 500 GB hard drive is most likely enough for office work and home entertainment. Unless, of course, you are going to store a collection of Blu-ray movies or an archive of professional photo shoots on this computer. By the way, the disk here is a 3.5-inch form factor, however, support for models with a capacity of only up to 1 TB is announced.

All Asus nettops have a recognizable stylish corporate design. A circular pattern is applied to the top cover of the VM40B with an aluminium overlay, and the front panel is illuminated by an indicator during operation. In terms of dimensions (190x190x56 mm), VivoPC is larger than analogues from MSI and Gigabyte, but slightly more compact than Mac mini. Despite the fact that the VivoPC case is plastic, it is stylish and, perhaps, only an Apple nettop, looks more solid. Only the back black panel, on which all the ports and the power button are located, is a little out of style. And there are no USB ports on the front panel, apparently, so as not to violate the design concept.

The nettop has 6 USB ports, two of which work according to the 3.0 standard. In addition, you can use an HDMI or D-sub port for connecting monitors and three audio jacks (headphone output, line-out and microphone input). This model also has a card reader that can "read" SD and MMC cards, an RJ45 port and an input for power supply. Finally, VivoPC has an excellent set of network interfaces — a fast dual-band Wi-Fi module 802.11ac, 1 Gbit/s Ethernet and Bluetooth V4.0. In addition, Asus has created a programme to control the nettop using a smartphone. In general, the owner should not have any special problems connecting the computer to the network, and the peripherals to the PC.

Gigabyte BRIX s (GB-BXi3H-5010)

Like the MSI model, the Gigabyte nettop is a barebone constructor for assembling a mini PC. The fact is that you will have to purchase the drive and RAM for the BRIX s separately. Suitable for this device are laptop memory SO-DIMM and SSD type mSATA. And BRIX models with the S index in the name allow you to install a regular 2.5-inch drive instead of mSATA.

The components selected by the owner are installed on a motherboard with an Intel processor from the Broadwell family. The GB-BXi3H-5010 is a dual—core Core i3 5010U with a frequency of 2.1 GHz and an energy consumption of 15 watts. For this type of computer, this is an advanced solution — against the background of low-cost Pentium and Celeron, this CPU looks preferable because of higher performance. Accordingly, that's why Gigabyte BRIX s has a rather high price. However, the lack of a discrete graphics card will still not allow you to play resource-intensive 3D games. But you can do graphics and video processing if you put more RAM in barebone.

If you do not take into account Lenovo's "USB flash drive", then this is the most compact device in our review. It can be attached to the back of the monitor. The aluminium case has an elegant black colour. You can find fault with the fact that the surface of the top cover, where the power button is located, is branded. Most of the ports are located on the back side, visually it does not contrast with the case, like the Asus VivoPC. At the back there are two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and mini-DisplayPort, a network connector (1 Gbit/s) and an input for the power supply. On the front panel there are two more high-speed USB ports and a headset slot. And the engineers probably couldn't fit a slot for memory cards in such a miniature case. But there are Wi-Fi modules 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0.

Apple Mac mini 2014 (MGEM2)

Macs differ from PCs by a special operating system and stylish design. And also high prices — which is why not everyone can afford an Apple computer. Few people know that it is possible to become a "poppy grower" for relatively little money. To do this, you need to purchase an Apple Mac mini 2014 nettop, which is significantly cheaper than Apple laptops and stationary computers — Macbook and iMac. At the same time, it is a full-fledged "Apple" PC with good performance and the same Mac OS X on board.

It has the most advanced processor in our review — a dual-core Intel Core i5 with a frequency of up to 2.6 GHz. Plus 8 GB of RAM, a 1000 GB hard drive and "processor" graphics. And a set of necessary ports (four USB 3.0, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, audio jacks for microphone and headphones) are taken for granted — Apple could not miscalculate in such a simple matter. The bonus is a card reader and two Thunderbolt 2 slots for drives.

The square aluminium case with smoothed corners has a pleasant pale silver colour and compact dimensions — slightly more than 3.5 cm in height and less than 20 cm in length. A traditional bitten apple is painted on the lid. Buttons and ports are placed on the back panel. The device looks great — in Apple's signature style — especially next to the native monitor.

Of course, there are also disadvantages of the nettop. Rather, one serious but traditional drawback for Apple is the minimal modernization possibilities. You can only change the memory. On the other hand, the power reserve of this nettop will last for several years for quite serious tasks. If you want to get acquainted with the Apple PC and find out why many consider Mac OS to be the best OS, then Apple Mac mini 2014 is a great option. If you like working in the Mac OS environment, in the future you can pay attention to the Macbook with iMac.