Ayaneo's latest mini PC looks like an old-school NES. The Ayaneo AM02 mini PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS APU processor and is expected to be released in February.
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Back in November, Ayaneo officially announced the AM01 mini PC. That device was built in the form of a retro Macintosh computer, but the included older AMD APU wasn't exactly something that would win any power awards. Now, Ayaneo has arrived, with a revamped NES-inspired design and a much more impressive processor. Plus, it costs three times as much.
There's no doubt about it. This is a really cute little mini PC . The retro NES-era form factor is a delight, and you can even order an 8BitDo SNES-style controller and a Nuphy greyscale keyboard to go with it, completing the nostalgia trip. Most of the modern features, like USB-C and HDMI ports , are hidden behind a front cover, though there is a small multi-function touchscreen on top. If you close your eyes, you could almost mistake it for a real NES.
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Inside the Ayaneo Mini PC AM02, however, is where the similarities to Nintendo's 1980s console end. It's a true modern PC that will offer a vastly superior experience compared to the AM01. Each unit ships with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS APU, which is slightly more powerful than the company's top-of-the-line Kun device. In other words, it should be able to run most modern AAA games at medium settings, or even higher in some cases. The AM01 was, for the most part, an emulation machine that stopped evolving after the Gamecube era.
As for the relevant technical features, you can equip the AM02 with up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM at launch, but this can be upgraded by the user to 64GB . It also ships with up to 1TB of SSD storage, expandable up to 8TB . There's also a modern cooling system , a USB-C port , multiple USB-A ports , an HDMI port , an Ethernet port , and a 3.5mm audio jack .
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There's also the mystery of how the touchscreen will be used. Ayaneo is remaining tight-lipped, limiting it to just a watch, though it has touted "unique gaming experiences." At the very least, it should offer a new way to navigate menus, adjust settings, and select games. However, a controller or keyboard would probably be more effective.
Of course, increasing power implies a corresponding increase in cost.
The AM02 mini PC starts at $440 for pre-orders and $500 for everyone else. This is a version without RAM and storage, allowing people to outfit the computer with hardware of their choice. Otherwise, prices range from $530 to $770, with RAM and storage. You can buy this product through Indiegogo, which is typical for Ayaneo, and the models ship in February. “No accessories are included, but there is a discount when you buy a bundle with a controller or keyboard.”
Information source: engadget.com
