Acer Revo Cube: The compact and economical mini PC

Revo Cube is Acer’s Mini PC proposal that incorporates the tradition started by Intel with the first NUC systems. It is a family of systems aimed at users who want to combine a very compact design with fast performance suitable for a typical use of the PC for personal productivity tasks, without neglecting some care in design.

In the Revo Cube stand out the small size, with a surface that is slightly larger than that of a 2.5-inch hard disk, without this penalizing the external design and a certain overall cleanliness in the lines. Small is beautiful, we could say, and this is strengthened by the choice of a finish that combines shiny white with aluminum.

The front part features a power button, a USB Type A port and a USB Type C along with a headphone jack with a microphone. On the rear panel, there are two other USB Type A ports, the ethernet cable connector and two HDMI and Mini Display Port connectors.

The Acer Revo Cube’s power supply is external, with a small power supply that resumes the typical dimensions of the models supplied with the notebooks. The two side and rear walls are characterized by some openings, which allow the heat to be easily expelled outside by the only fan in the system.

The hardware configuration varies depending on the model, notwithstanding the overall dimensions: the choice of processor passes from the Celeron 3865U model to the Intel Core i3-7130U, both equipped with Kaby Lake architecture and two cores inside. The Core i3-7130U declination also offers support for HyperThreading technology, thanks to which 4 threads can be processed in parallel by the system, as well as a significantly higher clock frequency (2.7GHz versus 1.8GHz).

All models are equipped with 4 Gbytes of system memory type DDR4, configured as a single module: it is possible to install a secondary, SoDimm type, so as to bring the memory controller to dual channel mode increasing performance, especially for the integrated video industry. The onboard storage provides two options: a 500 Gbytes mechanical hard drive in 2.5-inch format, or a 64 Gbytes capacity eMMC storage device. Opting for the second option it is possible to install a mechanical hard disk useful for data storage, while purchasing a Revo Cube with mechanical hard disk the slot for an SSD in M.2 format remains accessible.

One of the features of Revo Cube is to allow a certain level of customization inside: you can add a hard disk or an SSD, depending on the type of version purchased, as well as expand the memory by exploiting the dual-channel architecture at best. To access the internal components, simply unscrew the 4 screws located at the bottom, removing the base and in this way visualize the lower part of the motherboard where the connectors for memory modules and SSD are located.

We tried the version of Acer Revo Cube equipped with Intel Celeron 3865U, combined with 64 Gbytes of onboard storage. The performance, taking into account the hardware and purchase cost, are satisfactory overall: the Windows 10 Home operating system responds smoothly to the commands with traditional personal productivity applications, even if the power of the components used does not allow run very demanding applications in terms of system resources. Those who want more must orientate on the version with Intel Core i3-7130U, able to provide an additional boost of computing power for the same overall footprint.

The onboard storage has a capacity of only 64 Gbytes and for most practical uses, it is recommended to integrate it with a hard disk or a 2.5-inch SSD taking advantage of the provision in the system. The overall speed performance is still valid (250MB/s read and 170MB/s write) and contribute to ensure a good overall system response, especially when open applications do not completely saturate the 4 Gbytes of system memory supplied as standard.

Acer Revo Cube can be attached to the back of a screen, using the plate with Vesa brackets provided. On the market are available for some versions that use more powerful processors than those Celeron and Core i3 proposed for sale officially in Italy, and that in some cases implement a wireless charging system for smartphones. This is the wireless Qi approach, implemented at the top of the mini PC: by supporting a compatible smartphone you can proceed with its charging. These more complete models are offered not through the official Acer commercial channel but via parallel import.

Supplied with Acer Revo Cube are provided a small size keyboard and a mouse: these are devices with a valid construction, matched chromatically to the Revo Cube and able to perform the task of input devices in use with traditional productivity applications personnel. We tested this product in conjunction with the Acer H277HU monitor, a proposal with a diagonal of 27 inches and IPS panel with 2560×1440 pixel resolution that is well suited to use in personal productivity of the Acer mini-PC.

On the rear panel, there are two USB Type-A and Type-C ports, as well as Display Port and HDMI connectors for the video signal: the external shape is researched to obtain an ideal color combination with Revo Cube in the white and silver version.

Design, functionality and compact size characterize Acer Revo Cube. This is a mini PC suitable for those contexts of use, domestic as well as office, where you want to offer an adequate computing power for traditional personal productivity applications.

Do not ask for performance equal to those of a traditional-sized desktop as this is certainly not a workstation and least aspires to be: like other desktop systems of such small size Acer Revo offers the best with the classic navigation software, management mail and web services that are moreover, what is used daily for most of the time spent in front of a PC.