As an IT professional and mini PC enthusiast for over a decade, I have tested my fair share of compact desktops. The inexpensive Kamrui Mini PC seems tempting on the surface, but it has some glaring flaws that make it a poor choice in 2023.
In this guide, I‘ll elaborate on 9 key reasons why you‘re better off avoiding the Kamrui mini PC this year and what better alternatives exist.
Kamrui Mini PC Quick Primer
For context, the Kamrui Mini PC is an ultra-small form factor desktop powered by an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor. It packs up to 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage into a 5 x 5 x 1.6 inch chassis.
On paper, it offers decent connectivity too with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual HDMI 2.0 ports, 4 x USB 3.0 ports and more. It even touts support for outputting 4K video.
Seems like an amazing value proposition at around $170, right?
Well, let‘s delve into the specifics of why you may want to avoid picking up this mini PC in 2023.
1. Severely Underpowered for Any Meaningful Work
The Intel Celeron processor inside the Kamrui mini is an ultra low-power chip not meant for serious work. It‘s the kind of CPU you‘d expect to find in the most basic Chromebooks.
As one would expect, its performance is downright terrible. Users have reported not being able to run more than 2-3 Chrome tabs or Microsoft Office apps without the entire system slowing to a crawl or freezing up.
You can forget about doing any media editing, coding, gaming or other demanding tasks on this PC. The meager processing muscle makes this device frustrating to use even for basic web browsing and office work.
2. 4K Claims Are Misleading
Despite what the listings may claim, you won‘t get any usable 4K video output from the Kamrui Mini PC. It technically can output a 4K resolution, but only at an unusable 30 Hz.
For 4K output to not appear choppy, you need at least 60 Hz refresh rate supported. But Kamrui‘s HDMI ports top out at 30 Hz, making any 4K video look like a slideshow.
So all the marketing about 4K streaming capabilities is patently misleading if not downright false.
3. No Proper HDMI 2.0 Support
Speaking of HDMI, Kamrui claims that their mini PC comes with HDMI 2.0 ports. Except testing reveals the ports are actually based on the older HDMI 1.4b spec.
So features like 4K 60Hz output, increased bandwidth for high-res displays etc. are simply not supported despite what the listings state.
This seems to be an attempt to fool less tech-savvy buyers based on buzzwords. Again, genuine HDMI 2.0 capability would allow 4K at 60 Hz, which this device cannot deliver.
4. Barebones BIOS Lacks Critical Controls
The BIOS menu is a vital aspect of any PC, letting you control performance, temperatures and other key parameters. But Kamrui has gone for a barebones BIOS lacking fan control options.
So there is no way to speed up the fans to lower temperatures if the system gets hot. Given the cramped confines of a mini PC, this can lead to severe thermal throttling and instability over time.
Vital options to control boot order, XMP profiles, secure boot and so on are also missing from the BIOS. This makes the PC frustrating to work with for enthusiasts and power users.
5. Build Quality Leaves Much to Be Desired
Being priced under $200, one cannot expect award-winning build quality from Kamrui‘s mini PC. But a few aspects simply reek of cutting far too many corners.
For one, the WiFi antenna on the back uses a basic push pin connector that tends to come loose too easily. So WiFi connectivity may simply stop working randomly for some users until they pop the antenna connector back in place.
The case and port cutouts also have rather sharp edges that can cut your fingers during cable swaps. Overall, it just feels like a rush job likely churned out from some Chinese scrap parts factory meant for the discount market overseas.
6. Ships with Unlicensed Software
The Kamrui Mini PC claims to come with a valid Windows 10 license. However, multiple users have reported receiving units with generic Windows SKUs clearly missing a proper license key.
So Windows ends up deactivated after a while, unless you pony up another $100+ to purchase your own Windows license separately. This seems to be outright deception on part of Kamrui just to make the device seem cheaper than it really runs for.
Getting an unlicensed OS on any new computer purchase is just unacceptable, even for mini PCs at the lower end of the pricing spectrum.
7. Lacklustre Technical Support
Given all the hardware and software issues folks face with their Kamrui mini PCs, you would expect the manufacturer to provide decent customer support, right?
Wrong.
Numerous Kamrui customers have reported extremely frustrating experiences trying to get their technical issues resolved through customer service channels. Calls and emails to support executives routinely go unanswered for weeks based on what users have reported online.
And those who did get through faced resistance towards standard warranty repairs or replacements for demonstrably faulty units.
Essentially, if something goes wrong with your Kamrui device, you are likely on your own.
8. Other Reliability Concerns
Apart from the shoddy build quality, lack of hardware quality control also raises reliability concerns in the long run.
Users have faced issues like SSDs arriving dead on arrival (DOA), memory modules failing within weeks leading to blue screens, as well as stability issues like random reboots.
While defects can slip through at times with any hardware, the problems seem abnormally common with the Kamrui Mini PC. And good luck getting adequate support if anything does go wrong down the road.
9. What You Could Get Instead for Similar Money
At around $170, the Kamrui Mini PC seems like quite the bargain on paper. But as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for.
Instead of this highly compromised device, I would recommend raising your budget to $450 or so. At that price point you can get alternative mini PCs like the ACEPC AK2 or Minisforum EliteMini H31G which offer tremendously better performance, build quality and reliability.
Here‘s a quick comparison to give you an idea:
| Kamrui Mini PC | ACEPC AK2 | EliteMini H31G | |
| CPU | Intel Celeron | Intel Core i3 | Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| 4K 60Hz video | No | Yes | Yes |
| Build Quality | Very Poor | Great | Excellent |
| Reliability | Concerning | Proven | Industry Leading |
| Price | $170 | $480 | $560 |
As you can see, for 2-3 times the cost of the Kamrui, you can purchase established mini PC models from reputed manufacturers, with far superior performance and reliability.
The extra few hundred dollars gives you a machine truly capable of 4K streaming, much faster CPU performance, rock-solid stability and the peace of mind that customer support has your back if anything goes wrong.
So if you do opt for an alternative like the ACEPC or Minisforum models highlighted above, you‘d end up saving money in the long run while avoiding all the headaches associated with the Kamrui mini PC outlined in this article.
The Bottom Line
The Kamrui Mini PC comes with too many compromises across the board to recommend it to anyone but the most cost-conscious buyers willing to tolerate unreliable hardware. For just a couple of hundred dollars more, vastly super options exist that will serve you well for years to come with a great user experience.
I hope this detailed analysis of why it‘s best avoided in 2023, along with the useful alternatives highlighted, helps steer your buying decision towards more capable mini PCs that actually deliver great value. Let me know if you have any other questions!
