Asus VivoMini UN42

Review: Asus VivoMini UN42

Conclusion

In the main, the box succeeds in this role, and it feels much like using an introductory laptop connected to a larger screen.

Asus takes the established VivoPC and shrinks the already-small chassis' volume by over 60 per cent to create the tiny VivoMini version.

Small, well-built and barely audible, the VivoMini UN42, powered by a Haswell-based Celeron processor and a 32GB mSATA SSD in this instance, offers a mainstream computing experience for a budget outlay - the built-up box costs less than £200, including Windows 8.1.

In the main, the VivoMini succeeds in this role, and it feels much like using an introductory laptop connected to a larger screen. With an obvious use being home-theatre usage and though able to process high-definition videos with the minimum of fuss, a lack of 4K output may deter potential HTPC buyers with an eye to the future.

We'd recommend Asus take a second look at how the 32GB SSD is partitioned, as, right now, there's little room for user-installed programs, but get past that and the VivoMini UN42 is a small, competent box useful as a second home PC or basic office workhorse.

The Good		The Bad
Small, quiet and cool Good ports selection Very good build quality Inexpensive		Lack of space on SSD Cannot output 4K

Asus VivoMini UN42

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The Asus VivoMini UN42 is available from Ebuyer.

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