Hybrid Muscle, Budget Bones: The Kamrui Hyper i5-14450HX Mini PC Review

The mini PC market continues to push the boundaries of compact computing, and today I'm examining Kamrui's latest offering built around Intel's 14th generation i5-14450HX processor. At approximately $500, this system pairs a capable hybrid-architecture CPU with budget-oriented supporting components, a combination that raises

matrix

Debugging Matrix Synapse Room Creation: The Tale of Encoded Hashes and Traefik v3

How to Solve "Room Address is Already in Use" with Matrix Synapse

hba

Lekuo RTL9101 M.2 to 8-Port SATA HBA Review: True Multi-Port Architecture Without Multiplexing Compromises

The Lekuo RTL9101 M.2 SATA HBA represents a fundamental shift in M.2 storage expansion, delivering eight SATA 6Gbps ports through native controller architecture rather than port multiplication.

minipc

Affordable Performance: The Kamrui Hyper H2 i9-11900H Mini PC Review

This mini PC pairs Intel's 11th-generation i9-11900H—a processor from the company's troubled 2021 transition period—with budget components to create a surprisingly capable value system.

minipc

Overpowered Yet Underpowered: The Paradox of AceMagic M1 with 13900HK (With One Exception)

This mini PC packs Intel's flagship i9-13900HK processor (6P+8E cores), 32GB DDR4 RAM, PCIe Gen 4 storage, and Iris Xe graphics into a compact dark grey chassis.

ssd

The macOS Storage Speed Myth, Part 2: Unpacking Sequential vs. Random Access in the Age of Flash

In this installment of SSD explainers, we will crack the myth between sequential and random access.

macos

The macOS Storage Speed Myth, Part 1: Decoding SSD Benchmarks and Real-World File Operations

Mac storage upgrades cost a fortune but promise blazing speeds. Don’t be fooled—benchmarks like 6300 MB/s is something you will probably never see in real life.

usb4

Lekuo M.2 NVMe USB4 Enclosure Review: Unbeatable Price for the Performance

The Lekuo M.2 NVMe USB4 enclosure delivers exceptional performance at an unbeatable $57.99 price. Outperforming pricier Thunderbolt 3/4 enclosures, its superior cooling ensures sustained speeds, making it ideal for Mac and PC users seeking high-speed, budget-friendly storage.

minipc

AceMagic Kron Mini K1 7430U Review - The Choice of Budget Office PC with WiFi 6E

Preface In my review of the Kamrui E3B, I considered it one of the top choices for a budget office PC. Its performance and quietness excel in a workplace setting. At $279, it’s a solid choice. But is there a better fit for the modern office at an even

esp32

Building a Power Monitoring System with ESP32 and PZEM-004T: A Pull-Based Approach

Frustrated with unreliable smart plugs, I built a power monitoring system using an ESP32 and PZEM-004T v3. It measures voltage, current, power, and energy, storing data in InfluxDB with a React frontend, with plans for Home Assistant.

minipc

Kamrui E3B Review: A Machine Designed to Become An Office Staple

The Kamrui E3B, powered by AMD’s Zen 3 Ryzen 7 5825U, is a cost-effective, quiet mini PC for office tasks under $300. With strong single-threaded performance and versatile ports, it excels in business settings but is hindered by a slow SATA SSD and single-channel RAM, limiting graphical capabilities

AceMagic W1 Review - A Rough Diamond

Preface Mini PCs have come a long way from quirky desk ornaments to serious workhorses—can the AceMagic W1 prove it’s a cut above? My last deep dive into this category was with the AceMagic AM08 Pro, a Ryzen 7 7735HS-powered beast with Radeon 680M graphics. That little champ

server

The Curse of Intel 12th Gen C-States

Discover why Intel’s 12th-14th gen CPUs, like the i3-12100, falter in homelab power efficiency, idling at 30W+ with PCIe devices due to a C-state flaw. Meanwhile, the older i9-10850K shines, dropping to 20W at idle.

minipc

Aim Small, Miss Small: A Deep Dive into the Aoostar N1 Pro Mini PC

If you're searching for a compact and affordable PC with dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, the Aoostar N1 Pro is worth considering. Our review thoroughly explores its networking prowess, powered by the Intel N150 processor, and analyzes its overall value for money.

minipc

AceMagic V1 Vista: Your Tiny Power Efficient Proxmox Server for Frigate NVR and Beyond

Unlock the full potential of your AceMagic V150! Learn how to install Proxmox and Frigate NVR for local, AI-driven security camera monitoring with object detection. This step-by-step guide covers iGPU SR-IOV, Docker LXC setup, and configuration, all while keeping power consumption under 8W!

nanokvm Featured

Sipeed NanoKVM Review - Out-of-Band Management on a Budget?

The Sipeed NanoKVM might just be the poor man's IPMI. This budget-friendly device unlocks remote BIOS access and power control without breaking the bank. Ventoy ISO booting? Absolutely possible. But be warned: input lag and occasional freak-outs come with the territory.

minipc

How to Update MINI PC BIOS with EFI Shell: A Surprisingly Pain-Free Guide

Learn how to safely update your BIOS using EFI shell when Windows isn't available. This step-by-step guide walks you through creating a bootable USB drive, gathering the necessary AMI tools, and performing a BIOS update without requiring a Windows installation.

ai Featured

AI Whisperer: The Hidden Art of Getting Stunning Results from DeepSeek R1

Master AI communication with Deepseek R1: Learn how precise prompts, iterative task chunking, and feedback loops prevent errors in coding and design.

server

Passthrough Intel Dedicated GPU While Using iGPU SRIOV

Here's How to Use Intel Arc GPU While Using iGPU SRIOV

nas Featured

IOCREST PCIe 4.0x1 10GbE NIC Review

The IOCREST PCIe 4.0x1 10GbE NIC brings enterprise-grade networking to consumer desktops using just a single PCIe 4.0x1 lane.

nas

IOCREST PCIe 3.0 x2 to 4x NVMe Expander Review

Building an all-flash NAS has always been a dream for enthusiasts, and the IOCREST PCIe 3.0 x2 to 4x NVMe Expander might be the solution to one of the biggest challenges: PCIe lane limitations. The best part? It costs only $30.

Top 10 Must-Have Tech Gifts for 2024: Gadgets That Wow and Wow Again

Discover the ultimate tech gift guide for 2024! From power banks and gaming mice to smart home devices and compact computers, we've curated the top 10 gadgets that will delight tech enthusiasts of all levels.

minipc

Kamrui AK1 Plus Review

The Kamrui AK1 Plus Mini PC Review: Value Champion?

solar

Slash Your Skyrocketing Electricity Costs: My 30% Power Bill Reduction Strategy

Shocked by a $4800 annual electricity bill? Discover how I analyzed my power usage and developed a strategy to slash costs by 30%. Learn about Time-of-Use billing, the impact of peak hours, and how combining solar panels with battery storage can lead to significant savings.

server

Optimizing My Proxmox Node: Journey of Upgrades and Challenges

It costs me $260 to run a home server, now I am able to run four with even less money.