The Minix Z300 is a fanless mini PC featuring a metal-block case that acts as its own heat sink. It’s almost identical to the Z100-0db I looked at a few months ago but with a more powerful i3-N300 processor that has 8 cores vs. 4 on the Z100 model. You can see the Z300 in action in my latest review.
Priced around $324 with a coupon, this unit provides more processing power for tasks that need it, such as desktop multitasking and server operations in Linux. But its graphical performance, while improved over the N100, is not enough to make the difference for gamers.
In terms of configuration, my review unit has 16 GB of single channel RAM (all of these N100/N300 machines run single channel) and 512 GB of NVMe storage. While the storage, RAM, and Wi-Fi card and be swapped out, the lack of additional storage slots limits expandability compared to other mini PCs. But Z300 offers a solid port selection, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (two USB-A and one data only USB-C), a MicroSD card slot, dual HDMI outputs that support 4K at 60 frames per second, and 2.5 Gbit Ethernet.
One of the most noticeable features is the large, highly visible antennas, which help improve Wi-Fi reception, particularly useful in digital signage setups where the device may be tucked away behind monitors or displays. The Z300 also includes a licensed version of Windows 11 Pro, and its fanless design ensures that it runs silently, although users should be prepared for the device to get quite hot during under load.
Performance-wise, basic office tasks and web browsing are fast and responsive, even at 4K 60Hz resolution, and the system handled 4K video playback without dropped frames.
However, in gaming benchmarks, such as GTA V at 720p on low settings, the system struggled to push past 25 frames per second, similar to its N100 counterpart. Classic PC gaming and retro console emulation, however, ran smoothly. For those seeking a mini PC for gaming, a Ryzen-based option may offer better graphical capabilities for around the same price.
The Z300-0db is particularly suited for those looking to use it as a server, where the extra cores offer a tangible benefit, or for users seeking a quiet, low-power device for general computing tasks. But for many the lower cost N100 based Z100-0b from Minix is a good choice.