NucBox G3 Review: Windows 11 Pro Mini PC for Only $150
Intel’s Alder Lake mini-PC has changed the game. They are cheaper, better performers, and stay cool under pressure. NucBox G3 is the latest mini-PC with an Intel N100 processor. It is running the Windows 11 pro and consume only 10 watts of power.
The mini-PC looks promising. So, how does it perform in day-to-day performance?
Let’s Inspect!
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Pros
- Incredible price tag
- Fast and efficient processor
- Easy to upgrade design with a beautiful appearance
- Come with a Windows 11 Pro license
- Fast Wi-Fi and Gigabit LAN for connectivity
Cons
- Loved to see a Type-C port
- Single RAM slot
NucBox G3 – Price
NucBox G3 is one of the most affordable mini-PC it starts at $179, but GMKtec has a lot of coupon codes that can make the deal quite lucrative. Check the link below to find the best price.
NucBox G3 – Unboxing
Unboxing feels good, nothing special. It comes in a very generic box with a minimalistic design. The mini-PC is securely packed and comes with a power adapter and a VESA mount to attach to the back of a TV or monitor.
Inside and Outside
One thing that I really liked about the mini-PC is they have not gone with a generic color scheme. NucBox G3 has a lush green color that looks really good. The company name is written on top of the mini-PC on the sides we get the vents for airflow. The fan actually blows air out of the bottom, unlike other mini-PCs.
The port selection is great we have 4 x USB 3 (2 front, 2 back), 1 x Ethernet port, 2 x HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has a Kensington lock. The appearance and port selection are good and the design feels great with enough vents for optimal airflow.
Accessing the insides is not difficult at all, simply lift the top cover and you will find the RAM and SSD. The rest of the components are not easy to access as they are on the other side of the motherboard. The layout design is optimal and I give extra points to GMKtec for making NucBox G3 upgradable and repairable.
Technical Specifications
- Processor: Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake N100 (4 Cores/4 Threads)
- RAM: 8GB or 16GB DDR4
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5 Gbit ethernet, Dual Band Wi-Fi
- Ports: 4 x USB 3 (2 front, 2 back), 1 x Ethernet port, 2 x HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack
- Weight: 265 grams
NucBox G3 – Performance
GMKtec NucBox G3 has a capable N100 processor. The 12th Gen processor has really up the game for mini-PCs. It consumes really low power and delivers fairly good performance. In idle mode, it only consumes 10 watts which is equal to 2 small LED bulbs.
NucBox G3 has DDR 4 RAM, yes, the processor is capable of running DDR 5 but we all know DDR 5 RAM is significantly expensive. The PC can hold up to 16GB of single-channel memory. It also has a single slot of SSD that can accommodate up to 2TB NVMe M.2 storage. Moreover, unlike Beelink SER5 it lacks a 2.5-inch HDD port as well. I also like the fact that GMKtec has gone with a TLC-based storage in a low-budget device whereas most manufacturers choose to go for inferior QLC models. TLC delivers better, stable, and sustainable performance.
So, overall NucBox G3 has a solid, power-efficient processor, fast RAM, and reliable storage.
The mini-PC is running the latest Windows 11 Pro. It comes pre-licensed which is unbelievable for that affordable computer. There are tons of customization options and I am getting consistent updates.
Office Tasks
The mini-PS handles office tasks quite elegantly. Documents, emails, reports, presentations everything works fine. If you want to use it for multimedia, the performance is equally good. It supports all the codes on the hardware level and you can stream practically everything.
You can also use it for graphic design; video editing also works well if you are not going over 1080p. I have a lot of praise for the processor. It delivers on every level. In the single-core Cinebench scores N100 delivers 75% of what the iconic I7-7700 does and about 50% in the multicore performance.
Gaming
The mini-PC is not made for gaming, but it doesn’t mean you cannot have fun. Yes, AAA titles cannot run well but small games like Counter-Strike 2 work perfectly at 1080p. It sustains good frame rates consistently and provides a smooth gaming experience. Moreover, you can also play a lot of mobile games which is a handy feature.
A surprising thing was the fan noise was hardly noticeable during high-power gaming sessions.
Connectivity
Internet connectivity is excellent as well. You get all the wireless connectivity protocols on top of a 2.5 Gigabit LAN. So, no matter if choose wired or wireless, the great performance is a constant in the case of NucBox G3. Moreover, Bluetooth 5.2 is great for wirelessly connecting peripheral devices.
Upgradability and Repairability
Upgrades are quite simple as we have on almost every Mini-PC except Mac mini. You can upgrade the RAM and storage but access to the Wi-Fi module and processor is not possible. You can upgrade the RAM up to 16GB and storage up to 2TB.
Drawbacks
- Single RAM Slot
- No USB Type-C port
- No thunderbolt
Conclusion
Even with these minor drawbacks, I think it is a great device considering how much performance they were able to fit in this small package at an incredible price. GMKtec has made NucBox G3 a totally worthy device. So, what do you think let us know in the comment.
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