Compact and Efficient: Intel Knox Evan Home Review

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Unboxing and Design
3. Performance and Specifications
4. Benchmark Results
5. Use Cases
6. Thermals and Acoustics
7. Pros and Cons
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Introduction

In this article, we will be reviewing the Intel Knox Evan Home, a small form-factor PC that offers a great solution for home, office, and school use. We will delve into its design, performance, benchmark results, use cases, thermals, and acoustics. Finally, we will provide Pros and Cons and our overall conclusion regarding the Intel Knox Evan Home.

Unboxing and Design

When unboxing the Intel Knox Evan Home, you will find the PC itself, a power adapter, a set of different plugs, and VESA mounting hardware. The overall design of the PC is compact and sleek, with a solid aluminum chassis. However, the shiny plastic top cover is a major flaw as it attracts Dust and fingerprints. The PC offers a good selection of ports, including USB 3.0, micro SD card slot, Kensington lock, HDMI out, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt 3. It also comes with an included VESA mount for easy installation behind a monitor or on a wall.

Performance and Specifications

The Intel Knox Evan Home is powered by an Intel Core i5 7260U processor, Intel Iris Plus 640 graphics, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SATA HDD. With these specifications, the PC is capable of handling basic Windows tasks, browsing, Microsoft Office operations, and media consumption with ease. However, heavy Chrome browsing with multiple tabs may strain the system due to its limited 4GB RAM. The PC is also capable of light video and photo editing, but it falls short when it comes to more demanding tasks.

Benchmark Results

In our benchmark tests, the Intel Knox Evan Home achieved read and write speeds of 890.5MB/s and 150MB/s, respectively, as measured by the Crystal Disk Smart benchmark. These speeds are sufficient for quick file transfers and program launching. However, the write speeds are somewhat low and unimpressive. During our file transfer test, we transferred 4GB of 1080p videos to and from the hard drive, which took approximately a minute. Overall, the Intel Knox Evan Home performs well for its intended purpose of home, office, and school use.

Use Cases

The Intel Knox Evan Home is an ideal choice for users who require a compact and efficient PC for basic tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. Its small form-factor and VESA mounting capability make it perfect for saving space and maintaining a clutter-free workspace. It can also handle light video and photo editing, making it suitable for creative tasks. However, for users who require more powerful performance for tasks like gaming or heavy video editing, building a desktop or considering a laptop may be a better option.

Thermals and Acoustics

During our stress tests, the Intel Knox Evan Home exhibited high CPU temperatures, reaching a maximum of 90 degrees Celsius. Although the fans remained relatively quiet during mundane operations, they became audible during the stress tests. However, the noise can easily be masked with headphones or speakers. Despite the thermals, the PC maintained its performance and did not experience any throttling or stability issues.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compact and sleek design
• Good selection of ports
• Easy installation with VESA mounting
• Adequate performance for basic tasks
• Suitable for light video and photo editing
• Three years of warranty for peace of mind

Cons:

• Shiny plastic top cover attracts dust and fingerprints
• Limited 4GB RAM may struggle with heavy multitasking
• CPU temperatures can reach high levels during heavy tasks

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Intel Knox Evan Home is a reliable and compact PC that excels in home, office, and school use. It offers a good selection of ports, an easy installation process, and satisfactory performance for basic tasks, browsing, and media consumption. The PC's limitations become apparent when dealing with heavy multitasking or demanding applications, but it still delivers on its intended purpose. With its sleek design and included warranty, the Intel Knox Evan Home is a viable option for users seeking a small form-factor PC.

FAQ

Q: Can the Intel Knox Evan Home be used for gaming? A: While the Intel Knox Evan Home can handle less demanding eSports titles, it is not designed for heavy gaming. Users looking for a gaming PC should consider other options that offer more powerful graphics capabilities.

Q: Is it possible to upgrade the RAM in the Intel Knox Evan Home? A: Yes, it is possible to upgrade the RAM in the Intel Knox Evan Home. However, it is important to note that the PC only supports a maximum of 8GB of RAM, so the upgrade options may be limited.

Q: Does the Intel Knox Evan Home come with an operating system pre-installed? A: No, the Intel Knox Evan Home does not come with an operating system pre-installed. Users will need to install their preferred operating system upon receiving the PC.

Q: Can the Intel Knox Evan Home be wall-mounted? A: Yes, the Intel Knox Evan Home comes with VESA mounting hardware, allowing it to be easily mounted behind a monitor or on a wall.

Q: What is the warranty coverage for the Intel Knox Evan Home? A: The Intel Knox Evan Home comes with a three-year warranty, providing users with peace of mind regarding any potential hardware failures or defects.

Resources:

• PC Works