NiPoGi is a little-known manufacturer whose notoriety is largely due to its presence on Amazon. Nevertheless, it has a relatively extensive catalog focused on mini PCs. For our first test of a product from the brand, we chose one of the cheaper models.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
True to its motto, NiPoGi does not want to impress the gallery with a machine whose goal is clearly to make computing accessible to as many people as possible. The AK1 Pro therefore benefits from near-unrivaled pricing, albeit at significant trade-offs. Necessary.
Note that NiPoGi offers a variety of versions for their ultra-compact machines and thus our AK1 Pro can be negotiated with Windows 10 or Windows 11, 8, 12 or 16 GB RAM in total, a 256 or 512 GB SSD. little, it is even possible to upgrade to a 12th generation processor, an Alder Lake N95. Options that, however, are paid and the AK1 Pro can cost between 170 and 310 euros depending on the version. It is a machine that is advertised very regularly on Amazon and makes it to the top of the sales figures there. We wanted to test it.
Technical worksheet
- Processor: Intel Celeron N5105 (4 cores / 4 threads)
- Motherboard chipset: Intel Jasper Lake
- RAM: 8GB DDR4-2666
- Total / available RAM slots: 2 / 0
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Total number/available M.2 slots: 1/0
- 2.5″ slots total / available: 1 / 1
- Graphics: Intel UHD graphics
- WLAN/Bluetooth: WLAN 5 (ac)/BT 4.2
- Ports:
- 2x USB-A 3.0 Gen 1
- x USB-A 2.0
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
- 1x 3.5mm jack (microphone)
- 1x power adapter
The test was carried out with a product purchased from us.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
The “cute little” PC
As mentioned, NiPoGi has several series of miniature PCs and the AK1 Pro takes the design from an extensive series from the Chinese manufacturer. In addition, NiPoGi is not the only China-based company that uses this small box, which can therefore be found under other brands such as APEC, Blackview or Kamrui.
In fact, it’s more of a good sign that the AK1 Pro’s case can also be found with other manufacturers. This helps reduce production costs, but also shows that he is “not too lazy” as others trust him. At first glance, the beast likes the sobriety of the design, in addition to its tiny size.
The access door to the 2.5-inch device / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
A Classic Location / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
No aggressive growth, no LEDs in all directions: a kind of semi-cube of 13.3 x 13.3 centimeters and a height of 5.2 cm. The AK1 Pro is completely black with a blue border when the PC is running, which turns red in standby mode. The border is fortunately not very powerful. Luckily, because unfortunately the intensity cannot be changed.
Coming back to the ports, which take up a lot of space on two walls of the device, we prefer to focus on the presence of a single power button: without a reset there is no way to reset the beast. On the other hand, we appreciate that the case for the 2.5-inch device can be accessed without having to open the entire PC: there is a hatch underneath the device.
This 2.5-inch slot is actually a standalone module. Unlocking two latches under the PC, it is very easy to remove this case to benefit from a device only 3 cm thick! A machine that will, however, be a bit more difficult to open: in order to access the four screws, the small rubber pads have to be removed.
The internal SSD in M.2 2280 format / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
However, opening the AK1 Pro is not particularly interesting: Inside, the components are clearly visible, but practically nothing can be changed: only the 256 GB SSD can give way to a larger model. You would have to dismantle the entire device for the main memory, since the only SO-DIMM slot is on the back of the mainboard.
A rich and balanced combination
Anyone who says reduced dimensions also means limited space for the connections. However, NiPoGi does not make fun of the world and even manages to teach some PC manufacturers the “tower” format thanks to the ports arranged on two sides of its AK1 Pro.
So in fact we have a total of 4 USB Type-A ports, which is not ridiculous. However, it regrets two things: USB 3 is limited to the first generation and the manufacturer does not offer a Type-C connector – the most modern one.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
NiPoGi doesn’t show any weaknesses when it comes to the display either, because two HDMI 2.0 connections in the standard format are integrated here. The main interest is being able to take advantage of the dual screen, while the standard format of the ports allows not having to find special cables or adapters. Always more practical.
Finally, the remaining connections consist of the power connection for the external brick, the small 3.5 mm jack plug, which is of course used for a headset, and the RJ45 connection for the network. The latter is classic in Gigabit Ethernet. No complaints.
Almost nonexistent accessories
Some PCs may come with some accessories, and particularly peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, to ensure an aesthetically consistent configuration. This is clearly not the intention of NiPoGi, which does not provide anything in its machine’s packaging.
Finally, “nothing at all” isn’t quite right, as the small external power box happily comes into play, as does a vertical mounting bracket and a small USB cable. Not enough to wake up at night, agree with me.
CPU-Z / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
CPU-Z / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
CPU-Z / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Windows 11 and… that’s it!
The software aspect of the AK1 Pro isn’t as uninteresting as we might have thought at first glance. Given the price of the beast, we can assume there’s nothing to be found on the SSD. In fact, the manufacturer has pre-installed the home version of Windows 11 and the machine is thus perfectly functional without having to spend a penny more.
When we first launch the AK1 Pro, we are offered to complete the Windows installation and select a few options before landing on the Microsoft system desktop. There are, as always, several updates to perform, actions that Windows Update performs in the simplest way in the world before proposing a definitive restart.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Finally the machine is really usable. We ended up installing many useless applications from Microsoft like Disney+ or Netflix and we have to “clean up” if we want to have a “clean” PC. On the other hand, no remotely interesting application is presented by NiPoGi that probably did not have the necessary budget. Walk on, nothing to see!
Very limited performance
The AK1 Pro is very cheap, extremely compact and its design is quite well done, but you have to see a little of what the machine is made of in order not to get the wrong idea about its intended use.
The detail of the configuration via HWInfo / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
The lack of a dedicated graphics card already seems to be a brake.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
So, to be clear, we gave the AK1 Pro the quintessential graphics test: a run in 3DMark’s Fire Strike scene, with the Intel UHD Graphics not even being able to run the Port Royal scene. . No wonder with Fire Strike and with a score of 839 points you shouldn’t even consider a remotely demanding 3D game at 720p.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
The PCMark test is more in line with the objectives of such a machine, simulating the daily use of a PC through different scenarios: office automation, video conferencing, 3D calculations, photo editing… Again, there is no question that it works wonders and with a total score of 2,150 In terms of points, the AK1 Pro pales in comparison. In reality, the 4582 points in the Essentials part are more reassuring: we can see that the machine struggles especially when intensive calculations come into play.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Our goal is not to drown you in numbers, but to better understand the weaknesses of the AK1 Pro, we present the result of the CPU-Z processor test and that of the AIDA64 memory test. In any case, we see that the AK1 Pro’s outdated technologies significantly limit its potential. Back of the small award medal. One must therefore have patience when the machine inevitably rows and not consider too heavy applications. YouTube footage, for example, runs fine in 1080p but suffers severe stuttering in 4K.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Finally, since NiPoGi had good taste in including a small SSD (256 GB) in its device, we evaluated its performance. This is of course an entry-level model and the speeds of around 480 – 500 MB/s are no surprise. The SSD boots Windows 11 in a matter of seconds, and if the machine’s responsiveness is sometimes lackluster, it’s much more because it has – only – 8GB of RAM.
consumption and heating
We measured the consumption of the AK1 Pro with a power meter, which is a very interesting result here. The processor used by NiPoGi – the Celeron N5105 – is advertised by Intel with a TDP of 10 to 15 watts, but it is the most energy-consuming component of the configuration: let’s not forget that it combines the CPU and GPU in the same chip.
A minimalist cooling system / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
Logically, we therefore come to a consumption of almost 12 watts for the entire machine in idle mode – measured on the Windows 11 desktop with only a few small background activities such as the Defender antivirus. Of course, once you “load the mule,” the thing tends to rise significantly.
We determined a consumption of just over 22 watts for the entire device at the peak of our 3DMark Fire Strike test or the PCMark tool. Very reasonable.
A single blower fan to cool the beast / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
The fan’s air outlet / Source: Nerces – Frandroid
As for heating and noise pollution – no pun intended – the AK1 Pro blows hot and cold. In fact, considering the small size of the machine, NiPoGi has integrated a fan with reduced dimensions. To prevent it from making too much noise, it actually runs “in slow motion” and tends to overheat the CPU.
At this level it’s nothing dramatic, but with prolonged stress temperatures of up to 80°C can be reached and in a hot environment – for example in the middle of summer – 87°C will be exceeded. On the other hand, noise pollution remains limited. Rather a good point.
Source: Nerces – Frandroid
price and availability
As mentioned in the introduction, NiPoGi has several versions of its AK1 Pro, all of which are already available. Our test model, equipped with the Celeron N5105, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, costs between 160 and 180 euros, depending on availability and promotion.
The product is available immediately, but remember that a new generation with the same body is also on the market. It will cost more than 300 euros, but the machine will then be designed on the basis of the Intel Alder Lake series N95 and will be more powerful on all levels. Also note that NiPoGi has miniature PCs based on AMD’s Ryzen chips.
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