KAMRUI Essenx E1 Mini PC Review: A Compact, Budget-Friendly Powerhouse for 2025

Looking for a compact, budget-friendly mini PC that delivers reliable performance for home, office, or business use?

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 Mini PC with Intel Twin Lake N150, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB M.2 SSD might be the perfect fit. This 2025 model is designed for seamless multitasking, dual 4K display support, and energy-efficient operation, making it ideal for everyday computing, education, and light business tasks.

In this detailed review, we’ll explore its specifications, performance, pros, cons, and why it’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a small desktop computer. Let’s dive in!

If you’re short on time, here’s what you need to know about the KAMRUI E1 Mini PC:

• ✅ Performance Boost: Equipped with Intel’s Twin Lake N150 (Upgraded N100) processor, offering a noticeable 15% increase in performance over its predecessors. Ideal for multitasking, web browsing, and office productivity.
• ✅ Ample Memory & Fast Storage: Comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB M.2 SSD, ensuring smooth application load times and fast boot-ups.
• ✅ Dual 4K Display Support: Supports two 4K monitors via HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, making it suitable for multitasking, presentations, or light content creation.
• ✅ Ultra-Compact & Quiet: Only 3.96″ wide and whisper-quiet thanks to a 2300RPM cooling fan—perfect for tight spaces or VESA-mounted setups.

🛑 Not designed for gaming or GPU-heavy tasks like 3D rendering or video editing. Great for light-to-moderate daily use.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what it offers under the hood:

• Processor: Intel Twin Lake N150 (4 Cores / 4 Threads, up to 3.6GHz, 6MB Cache)
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 (1x SO-DIMM slot, max 16GB)
• Storage: 512GB M.2 SSD (Supports PCIe 3.0 NVMe/SATA up to 2TB)
• Graphics: Integrated Intel GPU (24 Execution Units, 1.0GHz Max Dynamic Frequency)
• Display Support: Dual 4K output via HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort 1.4
• Ports:
  • 2 × USB 3.2
  • 2 × USB 2.0
  • 1 × HDMI 2.0
  • 1 × DisplayPort 1.4
  • 1 × Gigabit Ethernet
  • 1 × 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Wireless: Dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth
• Cooling: 2300 RPM fan with 180° airflow
• Power Consumption: Only 15W
• Dimensions: 3.96″ × 3.96″ × 1.57″
• Mounting: VESA-compatible for behind-monitor setup
• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed
• In the Box: PC, power adapter, HDMI cable, VESA mount, user manual

Opening the the box package is a reminder of how far compact computing has come. Inside the box, you’ll find:

• 1 × KAMRUI E1 Mini PC
• 1 × HDMI cable
• 1 × VESA mount bracket + screws
• 1 × Power adapter
• 1 × User manual

At first glance, the E1 stands out for its sleek matte finish and solid build, crafted using NCVM technology for durability and heat resistance. Weighing just 1.4 pounds and measuring under 4 inches in width and depth, it feels sturdy yet incredibly lightweight—almost like holding a stack of coasters.

Ports are logically placed, and the casing has efficient ventilation, hinting at thoughtful internal design. The VESA mount gives you the option to hide it behind your monitor, keeping your desk clean and clutter-free. Overall, it leaves a strong first impression as a professional-grade, space-saving solution.

The KAMRUI E1’s ultra-compact design (3.96 x 3.96 x 1.57 inches) makes it perfect for small workspaces or mounting behind a monitor using the included VESA bracket. The NCVM-treated chassis gives it a premium, durable feel, while the 2300RPM fan ensures efficient cooling with minimal noise—users report it’s nearly silent, ideal for quiet environments like home offices or libraries. Ventilation slots and a side air-cooling system maintain low temperatures even during extended use.

The Intel UHD Graphics (24 EUs, up to 1.0GHz) supports dual 4K displays (3840×2160@60Hz) via HDMI 2.0 and DP1.4, ideal for:

• Multitasking: Dual-monitor setups for work or study.
• Media Playback: 4K streaming with HDR10 and 7.1 audio support via HDMI.
• Light Content Creation: Basic photo editing or document design.

It handles AV1, H.265, VP9, and H.264 codecs with hardware acceleration, ensuring smooth playback up to 4K@60Hz (8K@60Hz may frameskip). For gaming, it’s limited to light titles or emulators, not AAA games.

The Intel N150 processor (4 cores/4 threads, up to 3.6GHz, 6MB L3 cache) is a low-power chip (15W TDP) manufactured on Intel’s 7 (10nm) process. It offers a 15% performance edge over the N100, excelling in:

• Office Tasks: Runs Microsoft Office, web browsers (20+ tabs), and video conferencing apps (Zoom, Teams) smoothly.
• Multimedia: Supports 4K playback (H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1) with hardware acceleration for streaming on YouTube, Netflix, or Plex.
• Light Gaming: Handles 2D games and retro emulators (e.g., SNES, PS2) at 720p/1080p. Modern titles like Fortnite are playable only at low settings (720p, 20–30 FPS).
• Business Use: Powers digital signage, point-of-sale systems, or surveillance setups.
• Education: Ideal for online learning, research, or note-taking apps.

The 16GB DDR4 RAM (single-channel, 2666 MHz) ensures snappy multitasking, but the single SO-DIMM slot limits upgrades to 16GB. The 512GB M.2 SSD offers fast boot times (~8 seconds) and app loading, though its SATA interface is slower than NVMe alternatives.

KAMRUI E1 Mini PC Benchmarks:

3DMark Benchmarks:

• Ice Strom ~35904
• Cloud Gate ~4131
• Fire Strike ~695

Cinebench R23 Benchmarks:

• Single-core ~155
• Multi-core ~479

Cinebench R23 Benchmarks:

• Single-core ~4309
• Multi-core ~1247

Note: This is approximate result, based on similar systems

The KAMRUI E1 offers robust connectivity:

• Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DP1.4, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (up to 1.2Gbps, 42 dBm range), Bluetooth 5.2 (stable for peripherals like keyboards or headphones)
• Networking: Gigabit Ethernet for reliable wired connections

This setup supports monitors, external drives, servers, and surveillance equipment, making it versatile for home or business use. Note: The original article incorrectly listed Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2; the E1 uses Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster, more reliable connections.

The 512GB M.2 SSD (SATA or PCIe 3.0 NVMe) provides ample storage for apps, documents, and media, with upgrade options to 2TB M.2 or an additional 2.5-inch SATA SSD. The single-channel 16GB DDR4 RAM (2666 MHz) is non-upgradable beyond 16GB, which may limit future-proofing compared to dual-channel systems.

The E1’s 2300RPM fan and 180° airflow keep temperatures low (40°C idle, 71°C max) with minimal noise (up to 38 dBA), ideal for quiet environments. Power consumption is efficient:

• Off: 0.9W
• Idle: 8W
• Max Load: 29W

This makes it eco-friendly and cost-effective for continuous use.

The KAMRUI E1 is an excellent choice for:

• Home Office Users: Perfect for remote work, Zoom calls, or managing spreadsheets and documents.
• Students: Affordable and portable for research, note-taking, or online classes.
• Media Enthusiasts: Great as an HTPC for 4K streaming or connecting to TVs.
• Small Businesses: Ideal for digital signage, point-of-sale systems, or basic office tasks.
• Budget Buyers: Offers strong value for light-duty computing without breaking the bank.

If you need a mini PC for gaming, 3D rendering, or virtual machines, consider models with AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors for better performance.

Key Differences:

• KAMRUI E1: Best value with dual 4K outputs (HDMI + DP) and a 2-year warranty. Limited by single-channel RAM and SATA SSD speeds.
• Beelink S13: Lighter (0.6 pounds) with dual M.2 slots for storage flexibility. Shorter warranty and slightly higher price.
• GMKtec G3 Plus: Superior with 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD and dual-channel RAM (up to 32GB), ideal for emulation or storage-intensive tasks. Larger and pricier.

• Update BIOS: Check KAMRUI’s website for firmware updates to fix HDMI or performance issues.
• Optimize Storage: Upgrade to a PCIe NVMe SSD for faster read/write speeds if needed.
• Cooling Maintenance: Clean ventilation slots yearly to maintain cooling efficiency.
• Streaming Setup: Use KODI or Plex for a seamless HTPC experience; enable hardware acceleration in settings.
• Linux Installation: For Linux, use a USB boot drive and ensure Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS (access via ESC).

The E1 includes a 2-year warranty, longer than competitors like Beelink or GMKtec (1 year). Amazon purchases offer a 30-day return policy for defective or unopened units. For support, contact KAMRUI via their official website or Amazon’s seller portal. Always verify warranty terms before purchase.

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 Mini PC is a compelling choice for anyone seeking a compact, energy-efficient, and affordable desktop for everyday tasks. Its Intel N150 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD deliver reliable performance for office work, 4K streaming, and light multitasking.

The dual 4K display support, versatile ports, and VESA mount make it a versatile solution for home, education, or business use. While it’s not suited for heavy gaming or intensive applications, its value for light-duty tasks is hard to beat.

For those prioritizing budget-friendly performance and space-saving design, the KAMRUI E1 is a confident buy, especially when purchased from a reputable seller with solid return policies. Keep an eye on BIOS updates and consider upgrading storage for future-proofing.