Key Points
- The KAMRUI Mini PC is underpowered and struggles to handle more than one application at a time.
- Some units have non-functional BIOS and lack thermal fan adjustments.
- There have been reports of KAMRUI mini PCs being shipped with unlicensed operating systems.
- The KAMRUI Mini PC is not ideal for use as a home theater PC due to limited 4K streaming capabilities.
- The KAMRUI Mini PC does not have HDMI 2.0 support.
- KAMRUI’s customer service is lacking and users have reported difficulties in getting support.
What are some reasons to avoid a KAMRUI Mini PC? It can be very tempting with the low cost of these mini PCs not to take the plunge. However, if you’re looking for a device that can handle 4K streaming, you might be sorely disappointed.
The KAMRUI Mini PC is a marvel in terms of technical design, packing a full-blown Intel processor into a tiny compact package. User impressions have been mixed on the actual performance of the device.
If you’re in the market for a mini PC to fit into your home theater experience, then it might be worth looking for other options.
What Is the KAMRUI Mini PC?
KAMRUI makes multiple mini PCs, but the most popular is likely the AK1PLUS. This compact device packs an Intel Alder Lake N95 with 16GB of DDR4 RAM. You also get access to 512GB of SSD storage using the M.2 form factor.
It is a minuscule device, only measuring 5.04 inches long by 5.04 inches wide. It weighs just under a pound. The AK1PLUS still has more than enough room internally to fit internal cooling solutions, which is astounding considering its overall size.
On paper, these devices should be a great solution for acting as home theaters or low-cost office modules. In practice, however, there have been some complaints as to the overall performance of these mini PCs.
Why Should You Use a Mini PC?
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Why would someone want to use a mini PC? They provide power equivalent to a larger desktop or laptop in a compact form factor. You get standard amenities like HDMI outputs, USB ports for connecting accessories, and a whole host of other features.
They aren’t an outright replacement for a laptop or desktop but could work well in specific use cases. Offices might seek out mini PCs as a low-cost way of providing every user in the building with a workstation.
Movie buffs might seek them out to serve as a more robust home theater system when compared to the likes of a Roku or Apple TV. Whatever the reason may be, there are some definite advantages to using a mini PC.
Reasons to Avoid a KAMRUI Mini PC
Here are six reasons why you might want to avoid a KAMRUI Mini PC.
1. It’s Underpowered
The 12th generation Alder Lake processor in use by the KAMRUI AK1PLUS is anemic, to be kind to it. Users have reported it not being able to process more than one application at a time. Now, this is a death knell of sorts for any PC user.
Businesses looking for low-cost workstations are likely banking on multi-tasking capabilities. However, you’ll find numerous user reviews online that point to these mini PCs barely handling the likes of Microsoft Office before slowing to a crawl.
This is just one of many reasons to avoid a KAMRUI. The cost for these individually is great, but the performance simply isn’t there when compared to the likes of a refurbished ThinkPad.
2. Poor BIOS Support
Ardent PC users will know how important it is to have access to the BIOS of any device. It allows you to do things like set fan speeds, boot order, and any number of other useful functions. At the bare minimum, for a PC to be acceptable for some, it needs to have an intuitive and functional BIOS.
Of the complaints you’ll find online for the KAMRUI mini PC, the BIOS is a recurring theme. It seems quality control is perhaps not fully exercised with the KAMRUI family of products.
As such, many users have reported non-functional BIOS that doesn’t allow for thermal fan adjustments. This is just one of many reasons to avoid a KAMRUI mini PC. You want your system to function well, it shouldn’t be a fight to just do basic tasks.
3. Some Units Have Come with Unlicensed Operating Systems
This isn’t a widespread occurrence, thankfully. However, some users have reported a lack of licensed operating systems on their KAMRUI mini PCs. The product description states it comes with Windows 10 or 11, depending on the model you’re ordering.
Now, even low-cost laptops and desktops come with pre-installed licensed versions of their stated operating system. You could chalk this up to just manufacturer error, which is likely the case.
However, if you’re stuck with a unit with an unlicensed operating system, this could be one of the valid reasons to avoid a KAMRUI mini PC.
4. Not Ideal as a Home Theater PC
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The KAMRUI mini PC product description states it supports video output at 4K resolution. Now, this is absolutely 100% true. However, there are some caveats to it. Streaming video to a larger display like a TV requires the device to stream at 4K and a 60Hz refresh rate.
Ostensibly, this should be the case with the KAMRUI AK1PLUS. However, many users have reported the actual output is 4K at 30Hz, which makes it unviable for use as a home theater PC.
If you’re looking for a suitable device to serve as the lynchpin of your movie-viewing experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
5. No HDMI 2.0 Support
HDMI support is given with a modern device like this. However, the manufacturer stated HDMI 2.0 support is nowhere to be seen. Many users have tried utilizing HDMI 2.0 features and have found the support to only extend to 1.0 or 1.2.
Now, this by itself isn’t a dealbreaker. However, when coupled with the other aspects of these devices that are misrepresented, it does make for compelling reasons to avoid a KAMRUI mini PC.
6. Poor Customer Service
Arguably the most egregious of the drawbacks to the KAMRUI mini PC is just the general lack of support. Users have reported experiencing extreme frustration when trying to get a defective unit swapped out for a fully functional one.
This might not be a dealbreaker for some but is just one of the many reasons to avoid a KAMRUI mini PC. If you’re spending your money on a product, you should receive some degree of support.
Alternatives to the KAMRUI Mini PC
So, what are some good alternatives to the KAMRUI mini PC? Unfortunately, you’ll have to spend a fair bit more than the low cost of the KAMRUI to get a dependable mini computer. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget, you can get quite a nice computer.
Mac Mini M2
- Comes with multiple configurations for RAM and onboard storage.
- 8 core CPU can handle just about everything you throw at it.
- Great for general web browsing, video editing, image creation, and other tasks.
The Mac Mini has long been a great entry point for getting into the Mac ecosystem. The latest Mac Mini from Apple is a blazingly fast mini computer and comes with some great features. You get support for displays up to 8K resolution or a pair of monitors at 4K resolution.
Here at History Computer, there has been quite a bit written about the latest and greatest from Apple. If you’re looking for a rock-solid computer, the Mac Mini is hard to beat.
MINISFORUM NAB6
If Apple and MacOS don’t tickle your fancy, the MINISFORUM NAB6 may fit the bill. You get access to a licensed copy of Windows 11 Pro along with an Intel i7 processor. The NAB6 is just over twice the price of the KAMRUI but offers far more than you might expect.
If you’re looking to do some light gaming, it can more than handle games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Counter-Strike with ease. It makes for a great home theater PC as well, with support for two HDMI outputs running at 4K resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate.
Dell OptiPlex 7070
- 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
- Intel i5 Processor
- Compact size for business use
- Comes with Windows 10 Pro
Users looking for low-cost office machines should take a gander at the OptiPlex 7070 from Dell. This is absolutely a no-frills device but comes with everything you need to handle productivity software.
The OptiPlex 7070 stays out of the way when installed at a workplace, and comes with a handy 256GB SSD for storing important local files.
The RAM could be a little better, with only 8GB on offer for the featured model. However, you do get access to a real Intel i5 processor, so the price of admission is worth it.
Closing Thoughts
The KAMRUI mini PC isn’t going to be a good fit for everyone. As such, you might want to look into alternatives for office work or your home theater needs.
| Reasons to Avoid a KAMRUI Mini PC |
|---|
| 1. It is severely underpowered. |
| 2. They can have poor BIOS support. |
| 3. There have been devices with unlicensed versions of the core operating system. |
| 4. It is not suitable for home theater uses. |
| 5. The KAMRUI doesn’t have proper HDMI 2.0 support. |
| 6. KAMRUI’s customer service has been found to be lacking. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Alberto Garcia Guillen/Shutterstock.com.
