The AM02 is a great PC
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2022 2:12 am
Though my M1 Mac Mini is my normal computer, the AM02 is my go to Windows PC, even though I have a Ryzen 5 desktop that I built in 2020. I use the AM02 so often that I actually keep it on top of my Mac.
A great thing about it is that both the storage and RAM are upgradeable, and the storage is m.2 SATA and NVMe, so you can use either one. Mine came with 8GB RAM and a 128GB SATA SSD, but shortly after getting it I upgraded to TeamGroup DDR4 2400MHz 16GB RAM and an XPG SX8200 Pro 512GB NVMe SSD, which is the same SSD I used in my desktop. Both upgrades worked perfectly.
It fully supports Windows 11 as well. After doing an initial basic setup of the Windows 10 Pro the unit came with so that the Windows license would be logged on Microsoft's servers, I performed a clean install of Windows 11, which activated without issue after connecting to the net. I had saved the driver folder from the Windows 10 install on a USB flash drive, but I ended up not needing any of them, as Windows 11 had all of the drivers already, and a few updated to current through Windows Update.
It's fast on startup and very responsive with programs and apps. As stated, though it's not my normal computer, I do use it quite often. Anytime I need to print something, play a game and even just take a break for a day from my Mac, it's right there. With regard to gaming, I installed Steam. I play the Half-Life and Half-Life 2 series, Portal and Portal 2 and System Shock 2. They all work perfectly. Granted, they aren't very graphics intensive games by today's standards, but for an inexpensive mini pc to run them perfectly is still pretty good. No pauses or stutters, and though I don't know what the FPS is in the games I play, the action is smooth.
Regarding connection to the net, the unit has a strong 5GHz connection to my router in the next room, about 20 feet away. I also tried a 2.4GHz connection, and it was strong as well. And though I don't normally use a hard connection, I tested it with a 50' LAN cable I bought a couple of years ago for backup, and it worked as expected.
One last thing worth mention is the construction of the unit itself. Though the top and bottom are textured plastic, the body itself is metal. The design is also user friendly. After removing the four screws and the bottom cover, access to the internal components is right there. There are no extra things that have to be removed to get to the storage and memory. The cooling is also quite efficient for a mini pc. Mine tends to idle in the 30s, and doesn't climb to higher than the 50s for most activities. On the occasion where I have seen it climb into the 60s, it quickly returns to idle range after the load eases.
All in all, this is a great PC. If a PC for basic, everyday tasks like email, paying bills, shopping, social media and other typical things is something you need, an AK1 or T6 Pro or something like that would likely fit the bill, but if you're in the market for something a bit of extra oomph, the AM02 is definitely worth the look.
The AM02 on top of my M1 Mac Mini...
A great thing about it is that both the storage and RAM are upgradeable, and the storage is m.2 SATA and NVMe, so you can use either one. Mine came with 8GB RAM and a 128GB SATA SSD, but shortly after getting it I upgraded to TeamGroup DDR4 2400MHz 16GB RAM and an XPG SX8200 Pro 512GB NVMe SSD, which is the same SSD I used in my desktop. Both upgrades worked perfectly.
It fully supports Windows 11 as well. After doing an initial basic setup of the Windows 10 Pro the unit came with so that the Windows license would be logged on Microsoft's servers, I performed a clean install of Windows 11, which activated without issue after connecting to the net. I had saved the driver folder from the Windows 10 install on a USB flash drive, but I ended up not needing any of them, as Windows 11 had all of the drivers already, and a few updated to current through Windows Update.
It's fast on startup and very responsive with programs and apps. As stated, though it's not my normal computer, I do use it quite often. Anytime I need to print something, play a game and even just take a break for a day from my Mac, it's right there. With regard to gaming, I installed Steam. I play the Half-Life and Half-Life 2 series, Portal and Portal 2 and System Shock 2. They all work perfectly. Granted, they aren't very graphics intensive games by today's standards, but for an inexpensive mini pc to run them perfectly is still pretty good. No pauses or stutters, and though I don't know what the FPS is in the games I play, the action is smooth.
Regarding connection to the net, the unit has a strong 5GHz connection to my router in the next room, about 20 feet away. I also tried a 2.4GHz connection, and it was strong as well. And though I don't normally use a hard connection, I tested it with a 50' LAN cable I bought a couple of years ago for backup, and it worked as expected.
One last thing worth mention is the construction of the unit itself. Though the top and bottom are textured plastic, the body itself is metal. The design is also user friendly. After removing the four screws and the bottom cover, access to the internal components is right there. There are no extra things that have to be removed to get to the storage and memory. The cooling is also quite efficient for a mini pc. Mine tends to idle in the 30s, and doesn't climb to higher than the 50s for most activities. On the occasion where I have seen it climb into the 60s, it quickly returns to idle range after the load eases.
All in all, this is a great PC. If a PC for basic, everyday tasks like email, paying bills, shopping, social media and other typical things is something you need, an AK1 or T6 Pro or something like that would likely fit the bill, but if you're in the market for something a bit of extra oomph, the AM02 is definitely worth the look.
The AM02 on top of my M1 Mac Mini...