I recently put together a small network that required a couple very lightweight PCs running Windows 10. That’s when I stumbled across this little gem, the W5 Pro Mini PC which I picked up on Amazon for only $160!
The W5 Pro Mini PC is suprisingly poweful for less than $200!
What you get
Intel Atom Z8350 Processor (1.44 GHz)
Powered by Micro USB
Windows 10 Pro x64 Preinstalled
4GB DDR RAM
64GB eMMC Storage
Supports a Micro SD card up to 128GB
Built in 2.4G/5G AC WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2
Intel HD graphics
Video supports 4K HD
Two USB ports (one 2.0 and one 3.0)
Streaming Video
As a smart TV (access to all the services) it does a good job of keeping up with streaming video. It’s not as smooth as my MacBook but you can’t beat it for the money!
Travel PC
This is a great PC to take with you when you travel if using your hotel TV is acceptable. Just throw a keyboard and mouse in your suitcase.
Installation
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be up and running in no time!
Initial Setup
It’s very easy. Connect a keyboard and mouse via USB, plug it into a TV or monitor, power it up, and follow the prompts to set up Windows 10 Professional x64.
Check for Updates
Whenever I install Windows I immediately go get all the updates and make sure that the update schedule works and that I don’t have to babysit it.
Type Check for Updates in the Windows Search Bar found in the lower-left of the screen. Follow all of the instructions and don’t do anything else until the updates are all installed.
Turn on Auto Login Feature
This is another step I take for every PC in my house. Since I’m not worried about someone else logging into it, I turn on the auto-login feature, so when the machine boots up it automatically logs me into Windows.
To enable this, type netplwiz in the Windows Search bar.
Deselect the checkbox next to “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.” Enter your username and password. Hit Apply and then OK. That’s it.
Allow Remote Access
This is a nice option if you don’t want to dedicate a monitor, mouse, and keyboard to the PC. In my case, I have two of these running in a box, so I can’t really plug them into a monitor. Remote Access is a nice feature that allows me to connect remotely.
First step: Name your PC
Type This PC in the Windows Search bar, then right-click on the icon that says “This PC” in the File Explorer, and then select “Properties”. You’ll see a window like this:
This PC Properties
I have named my PC MANTLE. To change your PC name, click the “Change Settings” link next to the Computer name. Pick a name you’ll remember.
Next Step: Allow Remote Access
To allow remote access, type "Remote Desktop Settings” into the Windows Search Bar and turn on Remote Acccess:
Remote Access allows you to connect to this PC without a dedicated monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
Extras!
These are some items that I added to my PC. I chose them because of the positive reviews on Amazon. They work well, and they are affordable.
BYEASY 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub ($12.99)
This was a no-brainer. The ByEasy Hub allows me to connect a total of four USB 3 devices and is completely USB-powered. Done.
$13 Hub. Big Bang for the Buck
Optimal Shop USB 2.0 External Sound Card ($14.59)
If you need 3.5mm audio inputs and outputs, I recommend this little gem. It’s totally USB powered, it has a line input, a very important feature for me, and it’s lightweight. It also has surround sound outputs, but I don’t use them in this project.
The best part? for a whopping total of $187.57 I have a decent PC with 4 USB 3 jacks, a line input, and surround sound support. You just can’t beat that… for now!