Many mini PCs are becoming increasingly popular because they offer the power of a regular computer in a much smaller form factor, making them perfect for people who don’t have a lot of space or need a portable solution that they can easily take with them on the go.
One of the most unusual mini PCs we’ve come across in recent times is the Meenhong JX5, which stands out for its smartphone-like appearance and Windows 11 operating system, reminiscent of Microsoft’s failed experiment with Windows Phone.
The JX5 features a sturdy aluminum body and a 5.5-inch touchscreen with FullHD (1920 x 1080) resolution. The screen is large enough to be usable, but you may struggle to read smaller text or interact with some on-screen elements. At 161mm tall and 92mm wide, it’s a little taller than an iPhone 15 Pro Max, but considerably thicker. Part of the 23mm depth is due to the inclusion of a cooling fan.
Limited battery life
This is another mini PC powered by an Intel N100 processor with Intel UHD Graphics. It comes with up to 12GB of soldered LPDDR5 4800MHz RAM and you can buy it on AliExpress under the SZBOX brand. The barebone model without SSD and OS is sold for $220. If you opt for the high-end version, with a 2TB SSD, the price goes up to $356.32.
The Meenhong JX5 features WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, a full-size USB Type-C port, a USB-A 3.0 port, two USB-A 2.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s no SD card slot, though. It’s capable of powering two additional displays at 4K at 60fps, so you can use it for a triple-monitor setup.
We’ve already talked about its predecessor, the Meenhong JX2, and while that device is intriguing, the lack of a battery severely limited its portability. The JX5 does have a battery, but it’s a 1,500mAh model, so you’ll need about an hour of use between charges. Like the JX2, it also doesn’t have a webcam, which seems like an odd omission. While the JX5 runs Windows 11, you can opt for a Linux operating system if that better suits your needs.
This mini PC is reminiscent of similar products like the HiGOLE tablets, the GOLE1 and GOLE1 Plus, both of which we have previously reviewed here.