Azulle Access: 30-second evaluation
Azulle makes specialist PCs with business use on the coronary heart of the design. While this Mini PC sports activities Windows 11 Pro, the principle focus right here is on plug-and-play ease of use with a well-recognized operating system for video conferencing or digital signage. The majority of mini PCs are small and mighty, compact, and highly effective sufficient to rival the skills of many bigger desktop PCs.
This machine, alternatively, options simply what it must do the job and a design to suit. As such, in contrast to lots of the best mini PC choices, this can be a extra outsized Fire Stick than a PC, with an HDMI connector on one finish and a LAN port on the opposite. These are joined by a USB 3.0 port, a Type-C port, a Kensington lock, a 3.5mm audio port, and an aerial.
The slimline case is solidly constructed and designed to soak up the warmth from the fanless design. As such, the casing has a warning to not contact after extended use. This offers you the overall concept that when this Mini PC is mounted, it is designed to remain in place with out the necessity for upkeep. While the HDMI connector might be straight inserted into any HDMI port, the corporate has included a brief hyperlink cable within the field so the machine might be mounted extra discreetly.
When it involves supposed use, whereas this could possibly be used within the dwelling as a extra superior dwelling leisure system snugly hidden behind the TV, there are much more sensible makes use of that this machine has been designed for. The first is video conferencing, which is a PC that may be related to TVs or screens, microphones, and cameras and hidden away, prepared to be used in a board or assembly room. Alternatively, it is the perfect measurement and specification for digital signage, designed to modify on initially of the day and play video or stills to passersby.
What this machine isn’t is a mini PC for use for on a regular basis workplace duties reminiscent of intensive doc updates, putting orders, updating pictures and video, and positively not for gaming.
As such, the value displays this, with a deal with being completely tuned to a few very distinct makes use of quite than a mini PC, which can be utilized for a little bit of the whole lot.
Azulle Access: Price and availability
- How a lot does it value? From $250
- When is it out? Available now
- Where are you able to get it? Directly from Azulle
The Azulle Access Fanless Mini PC Stick is obtainable by way of the Azulle web site for £248 for the N100 model reviewed right here or £219 for the Gemini Lake 40 Series, with the value growing relying on the equipment you choose. Both variations include Windows 11 Pro, Linux, or no working system put in.
Azulle Access: Specs
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Intel AlderLake N100 |
| GPU: | Intel UHD |
| RAM: | 4 GB or 8 GB |
| Storage: | 64 GB or 128 GB eMMC |
| Expansion: | n/a |
| Ports: | 1 HDMI, 1 Gigabit Ethernet, 1 MicroSD card slot, USB, USB Type-C |
| Networking: | AX201 WiFi 6 Dual Band (2.4 GHz / 5.0 GHz), Bluetooth 5.2 |
| OS: | Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed) |
| Dimensions: | 114.3 x 50.8 x 20.32 mm |
| Accessories | VESA mounting bracket |
Azulle Access: Design
The Azulle Access fanless mini PC stick’s design may be very modern. The casing aesthetics function a part of the cooling course of that allows its fanless development. Aside from being useful, this additionally offers the mini PC fairly a futuristic look, additional enhanced by the fold-out antenna.
Like most TV sticks, there’s an HDMI socket on one finish that plugs straight into a pc monitor or TV. However, because the machine is bigger and heavier than most TV sticks at 581g, it is just a little too cumbersome to depart suspended horizontally out of the again of the monitor. If the HDMI port is tucked contained in the physique of the monitor, as is extra frequent for business quite than client items, then the small PC will sit completely flush towards the again of the monitor. If not, the corporate has had the foresight to incorporate a brief extension cable that may bridge the connection, enabling you to mount the mini PC in one other approach.
The design has been nicely thought by way of, so the mini PC might be hooked up to the again of the monitor. The firm additionally sells a spread of equipment that supply different discreet mounting choices.
Connecting the mini PC is straightforward, with the USB 3.0 or Type-C ports providing loads of connection choices for mic and digicam combos. Bluetooth 5.2 allows a wi-fi keyboard and mouse. If you wish to join a typical headset, it may be plugged straight into the usual 3.5mm audio port.
When the machine arrives, you’ll be able to choose to have it with Windows 11 Pro, Linux, or nothing pre-installed. In this evaluation, we have chosen the usual Windows 11 Pro, which additionally comes with Zoom able to go. Setup could not be extra easy, and inside minutes, try to be prepared to begin utilizing the machine for video conferencing. If you wish to use the machine for digital signage, setup is simply as easy.
Simply retailer the information you want on the machine and run them as wanted, or load them onto a MicroSD card and run them from there. It actually could not be easier.
Azulle Access: Hardware
The Access Pro, in contrast to many Mini PCs, is designed to be one thing apart from versatile. It is constructed with particular duties in thoughts and has the bodily and computing energy to match. This Mini PC is tailor-made for video conferencing and digital signage, omitting lots of the larger headline options reminiscent of a strong CPU and graphics. Instead, this laptop is designed with simplicity at its coronary heart, from mounting by way of to make use of.
The design includes a compact and light-weight machine that’s akin to a TV stick, though on a barely bigger scale. It weighs 58g and measures 114.3 x 50.8 x 20.32 mm, making it extremely transportable and simple to mount behind a monitor or TV. The space-saving design helps scale back litter, and though there’ll nonetheless be an influence lead dropping down from the PC, the whole lot else must be packed neatly behind the monitor it is hooked up to, making it a really perfect resolution for any workplace, convention room, or public show space.
Another key benefit of the Access Pro Alder Lake is its fanless design, which allows it to run fully silently. This is helpful in quiet public places reminiscent of libraries and museums, the place shows are wanted with out the low hum of PC followers.
For video conferencing, the Access Pro Alder Lake allows twin monitor capabilities, supported by way of its USB-C port to enhance the principle HDMI. This characteristic permits you to increase the video conferencing and work shows, if wanted, throughout a number of screens, which may usually be helpful in conferences. The HDMI connection helps 4K decision to make sure high-quality playback each in calls and for taking part in again shows.
When it involves digital signage purposes, the Access Pro Alder Lake’s capability to output 4K at 60FPS by way of HDMI ensures that ads and informational shows are sharp and playback is easy. One characteristic that may attraction to signage is the connectivity choices, together with AX201 WiFi 6 dual-band and Gigabit Ethernet, which assist present quick community connections if the information on the machine must be up to date. This is very vital if it is streaming content material or if real-time updates are wanted for digital signage.
Despite its plastic construct, the Access Pro Alder Lake is powerful and sturdy, making it appropriate for long-term use in varied environments. The design and the supplies used could possibly be extra flimsy. Its small measurement and lightweight weight additionally allow simple mounting choices in order that it may be discreetly put in behind screens or built-in into kiosks. The flat again of the machine implies that industrial Velcro could possibly be used as a straightforward mounting possibility.
The Access Pro Alder Lake N100 is an exceptionally well-designed machine for particular duties like video conferencing and digital signage. Its compact, silent, and easy-to-install design makes it an amazing alternative. While the options are excellent for the supposed use, the options and efficiency can be very restricted exterior of video conferencing and signage.
Azulle Access: Performance
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
| Crystal Disk | Read | 139.63MB/s |
| Row 2 – Cell 0 | Write | 255.04MB/s |
| GeekBench | CPU Single | 1188 |
| Row 4 – Cell 0 | CPU Multi | 931 |
| Row 5 – Cell 0 | Compute | 2307 |
| PC Mark | Row 6 – Cell 1 | 1925 |
| CineBench | CPU Multi | 1291 |
| Row 8 – Cell 0 | CPU Single | 623 |
| CrystalDisk | Read MB/s | 7036 |
| Row 10 – Cell 0 | Write MB/s | 6628 |
| Fire Strike | Overall | n/a |
| Row 12 – Cell 0 | Graphics | n/a |
| Row 13 – Cell 0 | Physics | n/a |
| Row 14 – Cell 0 | Combined | n/a |
| Time Spy | Overall | n/a |
| Row 16 – Cell 0 | Graphics | n/a |
| Row 17 – Cell 0 | CPU | n/a |
| Wild Life | Row 18 – Cell 1 | n/a |
| Windows Experience | Row 19 – Cell 1 | 5.9 |
While the Access Pro’s benchmark scores could seem low, this compact machine excels in its supposed use, making it preferrred for video conferencing or digital signage.
The CrystalDiskMark scores, with a learn pace of 139.63MB/s and a write pace of 255.04MB/s, point out dependable storage efficiency important for holding information that can be utilized for playback. These speeds are low in comparison with as we speak’s ultra-fast SSDs; nevertheless, they’re greater than adequate for the short retrieval and storage of information mandatory for easy video conferencing and digital signage. If the storage capability is just a little low, the MicroSD card slot will allow you to increase the storage capability at minimal value and with minimal technical ability.
In CPU efficiency exams, the GeekBench scores (Single: 1188, Multi: 931) and CineBench scores (Single: 623, Multi: 1291) present that the Alder Lake N100 processor, whereas not probably the most highly effective, gives enough efficiency for dealing with primary computing duties. This stage of efficiency ensures that video conferencing purposes reminiscent of Zoom, which comes pre-installed, run with out lag. Additionally, the GeekBench Compute rating of 2307 means that the built-in Intel UHD graphics can handle the graphical necessities of 4K video playback in addition to video conferencing.
The PCMark rating of 1925 and the Windows Experience Index of 5.9 additional underline the Access Pro Alder Lake’s functionality to deal with gentle duties. Video calls and shows, phrase processing, and a few Office purposes will run easily, however do not anticipate an excessive amount of.
Despite the absence of scores in additional demanding graphics benchmarks like Fire Strike and Time Spy, the machine’s real-world efficiency for its supposed use is ok. The Access is ready to help 4K output at 30FPS and 60FPS for digital signage and video, stills, and audio, all playback with out subject. However, after 24 hours of continuous playback, the Mini PC is bodily sizzling to the contact, because the label warns.
This is to be anticipated, and with the fanless development, you additionally get a machine that operates silently, one thing that’s important in lots of environments. Another level to notice is that the Alder Lake N100 CPU has very low energy necessities, so even when on for lengthy durations, the facility draw may be very low. While the machine does get sizzling, it is not overly so, simply hotter than most. Critically, the efficiency does not appear to be affected, with playback persevering with easily.
The Access Pro could have a decrease benchmark rating; nevertheless, with its design focused towards video conferencing and digital signage, it gives the facility and options it must do the job. It additionally allows a compact, silent, and energy-efficient design that delivers dependable efficiency, making it a extra sensible and targeted resolution in comparison with bigger, noisier mini PCs.
Azulle Access: Final verdict
The Azulle Access excels for its supposed use and design: video conferencing and digital signage. If used for both, the design and options stability nicely, and on the value, the whole lot is well-matched. This is a machine with a selected function, and Azulle makes a speciality of making these targeted machines that will not push the bounds of efficiency however have design tweaks that make them higher suited to sure conditions and utilization than extra highly effective and complicated bigger machines.
However, exterior of its supposed use, this machine will appear decidedly underpowered. While you need to use the machine for day-to-day workplace duties and its kind issue permits it to be neatly tucked away out of sight, in actuality, one thing with just a little extra energy could be wanted for normal workplace duties. As lengthy because the Azulle Access Fanless Mini PC Stick is utilized for its supposed use, its compact design, silent operation, and ease of use make it a wonderful alternative for targeted purposes.
Should I purchase the Azulle Access mini PC?
If you want a compact and silent computing resolution particularly for video conferencing or digital signage, the Azulle Access Fanless Mini PC Stick is a stable alternative. However, should you require a extra versatile machine for on a regular basis computing duties, you would possibly wish to contemplate different choices.
| Value | Good efficiency and expandability at a aggressive value | 4/5 |
| Design | Compact and modern, however the plastic construct feels low cost | 4/5 |
| Features | Excellent expandability and connectivity choices. | 3/5 |
| Performance | Strong CPU efficiency however restricted in high-end gaming. | 3/5 |
| Overalls | A robust, versatile Mini PC with minor drawbacks. | 4/5 |
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