Mini PCs from Aliexpress

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sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#306756 18-Aug-2023 16:43

Hi guys - what's the feeling about buying a mini PC / NUC from Aliexpress?

Example: Intel N95, 16gb/1Tb box for about $315. Do we trust these? I'd probably just use it at home behind a monitor for days when I don't bring my laptop home, for cloud services mainly.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005510876728.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.1b252451IOpOfx&algo_pvid=14227ead-3a7e-42ab-8fa5-5e35f7d713ee&algo_exp_id=14227ead-3a7e-42ab-8fa5-5e35f7d713ee-1&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21NZD%21386.55%21259.42%21%21%211640.00%21%21%402103223416923331209762882e0f57%2112000033362841891%21sea%21NZ%210%21A&curPageLogUid=vCqZwH3iCTHh

SirHumphreyAppleby

2833 posts

Uber Geek

#3117752 18-Aug-2023 17:09

Read the reviews and go for it. As with any marketplace purchase, pick your seller carefully.

I've purchased several mini PCs from AliExpress and never had an issue.

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PANiCnz

984 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3117758 18-Aug-2023 17:21

Beelink had a pretty good reputation. I think you can get them off Amazon AU too.

Qazzy03

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3117762 18-Aug-2023 17:37

SirHumphreyAppleby:

Read the reviews and go for it. As with any marketplace purchase, pick your seller carefully.

This, i got my steam deck 1tb SSD from allie and it was great but you need to read those reviews/check how many units sold imo.

skewt

749 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3117787 18-Aug-2023 19:18

I ordered an i5-7400 mini pc from Aliexpress a few years ago

Worked flawlessly as a windows file/Plex server running 24/7 until I retired it
I recall it had a few odd drivers to find and install but was otherwise great

CamH

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3117828 18-Aug-2023 20:34

First thing you should do is replace the SSD. Every single time we've got PCs from Aliexpress, the random brand SSDs have failed within 6 months.