Acemagic S1 mini PC review

Acemagic S1: 30-second review

The Acemagic S1 nibi PC is powered by the Intel 12th Alder Lake N95 processor and positions itself as an entry-level Mini PC for home and office users. With its compact design, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage, it's tailored for day-to-day tasks and serves well as a file storage server or a soft router/firewall in a home network; there's also the option for a 1TB version.

A standout feature of the S1 is its 1.9" TFT LCD screen, which displays crucial information like CPU power, temperature, memory load, and fan speed. We've tested out loads of the best mini PCs and this is certainly an 'extra' feature. It not only adds a touch of the futuristic to the design but also provides functional real-time system monitoring, more for interest than anything else. You can also delve into the preinstalled app and tailor what is displayed depending on your needs and interests. 

The Alder Lake N95 processor can easily handle most basic tasks when it comes to performance. The fact that it has a GeekBench CPU Single score of 1126 and a Multi score of 2514 shows this. However, from these numbers you can see that it's not really designed for heavy computing, but it's more than powerful enough for daily tasks like browsing the web, editing documents, and managing files.

The Intel UHD Graphics are fine for basic multimedia tasks, but when it comes to games or other jobs that require a lot of graphics power it lacks the power needed. The low scores in the Fire Strike and Time Spy standards show this. But then this is an entry-level small PC.

The dual Gigabit Ethernet port on the back does help with fast networking. This is especially helpful if you want to set up a home network or need stable internet for watching back media stored on the machine or for working online. The S1's Wi-Fi 5.2 and Bluetooth 5.2 also make sure that wireless links are generally quick and stable.

The S1 is small and features a magnetically removable case that makes it easy to add upgrades like more storage space on an SSD. It's very flexible because you can put it either vertically or horizontally, so it can work in a variety of settings and with limited room.

Heat management within the S1 is handled well thanks to its copper pipes and bottom ventilation design. Even under a full load, the small mini PC maintains low noise levels, which is good for quiet home and office environments.

While the S1 isn't overly powerful for gaming or for use as a creative PC, it does offers a balance of performance, convenience, and versatility at an affordable price point. Its expandable SSD slot and dual LAN support make it a practical choice for a home network storage solution. The unique LCD feature adds something different and sets it apart from typical entry-level mini PCs. Ultimately its strengths overshadow its limitations in gaming, and high-end graphics work as a reliable, everyday computing device.

Acemagic S1: Price & availability

With its Intel 12th Alder Lake N95 processor, the Acemagic S1 offers a value-packed entry-level computing solution. Priced at an accessible $279 for the 512GB version, it's a budget-friendly option for those seeking a compact and versatile mini PC. If you want more storage, the 1TB version is available for a slight increase in price at $299, making it an attractive option if you need additional space without a significant price jump.

If you're seeking a bit more power, the Alder Lake N97 variant starts at $509, providing a higher performance option. The Acemagic S1 is available for purchase through the official website and Amazon.

• Score: 4/5

Acemagic S1: Design & build

The S1 stands out as an entry-level as it puts some design aesthetics into the standard box-like design and matches it with a surprisingly decent build quality. While the use of plastic is noticeable, it doesn't detract from its overall appeal as a sleek modern machine. The addition of an LED strip and that small LCD screen all add to the look, giving it a more premium feel than its price would typically suggest.

One of the key design features is its easy access to internal components with a quick-access panel directly through to the RAM and SSD. The RAM slot supports single-channel memory rather than the dual channel that we commonly see in mini PCs again reinforcing the fact that this machine is aimed at the entry level. The RAM upgrade is joined by the storage expansion options, which include one M.2 NVMe slot and an additional M.2 SATA slot. 

When it comes to how the machine sits on a desktop, you have a choice, as the machine can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. Its design essentially enables it to easily fit on a shelf or desktop, and there's a magnetic base in the box that helps with stability when positioned vertically.

All things considered, the ACEMAGIC S1 has a design that balances the entry level processing and functionality with design. At the price, it is a good choice if you're looking for a cheap mini PC with the option for a few upgrades as your budget allows.

• Design: 4/5

Acemagic S1: Features

Powering the S1 is the Intel 12th Alder Lake N95 processor, and with 4 cores and 6M cache, this processor is at the entry end of the market. This essentially makes the S1 ideal for general office work, light creative tasks or as a home file storage server.

One of the features that instantly stands out is the 1.9" TFT LCD screen on the front, and while it may only have a resolution of 170x320 it is extremely useful. This small display provides real-time information on CPU power, temperature, memory load, CPU load, and fan speed, which is handy if you are running this as a small and ultimately cheap file server in the home or office. This feature adds a level of monitoring typically not found in mini PCs as it's more common on servers, enabling  you to keep an eye on the system's performance and health. 

With this use as a server rather than a standard desktop PC in mind in terms of connectivity, the S1 features dual Gigabit Ethernet, offering fast network connections. This feature is ideal if you want to use the S1 as a soft router, firewall, or file storage server in a home or office network. For storage, the S1 comes with a 16GB DDR and a 512GB SSD, providing plenty of space for most uses but is again upgradable as needed. That expansion comes through the SSD slot, allowing for easy upgrades to increase storage capacity as needed, ideal again if this is to be used as a simple server.

While the processing is at the entry level, the small machine is still able to support dual-screen 4K displays, enabling you to extend your workspace if using multiple Office applications and need more screen real estate. Even with the N95 processor, cooling in the slimline system is important, and here the S1 utilises copper pipes and a bottom ventilation design to help keep things cool and ensure the machine runs at low noise, even under full load. Finally, when it comes to wireless connectivity the S1's Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast wireless networking, making it an decent choice for everyday internet use and streaming.

• Features: 3.5/5

Acemagic S1: Performance

The Acemagic S1 is fitted with the entry level Intel 12th Alder Lake N95 processor, which provides a level of performance that is relatively impressive for an entry-level mini PC. This PC can be used for everyday office work, as well as being a decent space-saving alternative to the best laptops for photo editing and other light creative work. You could even squeeze some gaming out of it, though with limitations due to relatively low graphics abilities.

Where the S1's strengths lie is with general office work and applications from the Microsoft Office suite, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, all run smoothly and it's perfectly possible to run Word and Excel at the same time without any noticeable slow down. This is supported by the GeekBench CPU scores of 1126 (single-core) and 2514 (multi-core), which show decent performance for tasks that require both single and multiple processing threads. The S1's ability to handle multitasking and day-to-day office tasks is further reinforced by its PC Mark score of 2836.

When moving to creative tasks, using the best photo editors and the best video editing software (in this case, Photoshop and Premiere Pro), performance remains respectable. The CineBench scores of 893 (multi-core) and 894 (single-core) suggest it can handle light creative workloads although don't expect to much and the system will slow if you try edits that are too complex. 

As you use the machine it is apparent that it may not be the best fit for complex video editing or running the best 3D modeling software, where higher processing and graphics power are needed. If it's portability you want when getting seriously creative, we'd still choose the best video editing laptops and the best laptops for graphic design over this for any demanding tasks. 

Gaming on the S1 is a mixed experience with the the Intel UHD Graphics limiting the ability to run the latest graphics-intensive games like Red Dead Redemption II or Cyberpunk 2077. This is evident in the Fire Strike (overall score: 967) and Time Spy (overall score: 335) results, which are on the lower end for gaming. However, it can handle older or less graphically demanding games, offering a decent gaming experience for casual or retro gaming enthusiasts.

Where the S1 really stands out is in its role within a home network, with those dual Gigabit Ethernet ports and 512GB of SSD storage (expandable via an additional M.2 slot), it serves well as a file storage server or a soft router/firewall, providing data management and network security within a home or small office environment. Its WiFi 6 also enhances its appeal as a home or office network hub.

The inclusion of a 1.9" TFT LCD screen on the S1 adds a unique touch, and again makes the use of it as a server more appealing as you can easily monitor CPU power, temperature, memory load, CPU load, and fan speed at a glance. This feature doesn't add to the performance of the machine, but it is interesting! 

The S1 is not suitable for the latest gaming titles or intensive creative work; its strength lies in its capability as a decent machine for the home office, networking, and storage solution. Its performance in benchmark tests, combined with its practical features and affordable price, make it a great option for anyone wanting a versatile, entry-level mini PC especially when it comes to being used as a small server.

• Performance: 3/5

Should you buy the Acemagic S1?

In our experience, there's an interesting balance of price, features, and performance here. It is an excellent choice if you want a versatile mini PC for everyday tasks, a soft router or a network storage solution.

The S1 handles general office applications and light creative tasks with ease, making it a reliable choice for home or small office setups. While the Intel UHD Graphics limits the machine's ability to handle graphics-heavy games, it performs well with older or less demanding titles.

The standout feature of the S1 comes when it is used as a home office network hub. Its dual Gigabit Ethernet can be hardwired into the network, or you can utilise the fast Wi-Fi for connection. The fact that the storage is expandable easily makes this machine ideal for use as a file storage server or for managing home network security. The additional touch of the 1.9" TFT LCD screen for real-time system monitoring is a unique feature and again reinforces the fact that it can be used as a soft-server.

Priced at $279 for the 512GB version, the S1 offers great value, especially if you're looking for a cheap pc to link into your network to use as a server of some kind. It also makes a solid choice if you're looking for an affordable mini PC that offers more than just basic computing capabilities. Its strengths are in home networking and storage, coupled with its OK performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.

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