The Asus VivoMini VC65 is a mini PC that’s not small on storage

By Dan Isacsson January 31, 2016

asus official vivomini vc65 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

With small size comes small storage capacity. At least that’s how it still tends to be for computers. But Asus is aiming to change some of that notion by expanding its VivoMini line of mini PCs. The computer supports up to four 2.5-inch hard drives or storage state drives.

The new systems were put on display in early January during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Few details were revealed then, but the company is now officially detailing some of the hardware powering these metal boxes.

Hidden inside of the sleek VivoMini VC65 are up to 2.8GHz Skylake processors and several other configurable hardware options. Users can choose between different storage modules and in the VC65R line of computers you will find RAID support. The technology lets you treat several different storage modules as a single drive and/or create backup versions of stored data on the hard drives.

For those who want there will also be a bare-bones model where users can choose their own storage, memory, and operating system. To ease the process Asus says the chassis has been designed to tinker with, allowing you to replace worn and tried hardware with something newer when the time calls for it, and without breaking a leg or two doing so.

Standard features include USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and COM ports. In addition there’s also an SD card reader and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

The VivoMini VC65 and VC65R are designed to work as as general-purpose computers, network-attached storage devices, or media servers, but are not limited to those duties. Tools have already been developed to help with using the device. Using the ASUS Media Streamer and Remote Go! apps users can stream content or control VivoMini at a distance. The devices also come with a year’s worth of 100GB of Asus WebStorage.

Thus far there’s no word on when the devices are hitting the market. Previous VivoMini brand-related announcements have been followed by lengthy periods of silence before an eventual release but we should expect a release sometime within the next 12 months.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Being a gamer since the age of three, Dan took an interest in mobile gaming back in 2009. Since then he's been digging ever…

Computing

Asus launches a tiny RTX 3060 that’s perfect for your petite PC

Nvidia RTX 2080 Super impressions

Thanks to an extremely compact Phoenix GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card design, Asus is making it possible to build compact desktops and gaming rigs that don't occupy much space on your desk. The just-announced GPU comes in a design with a single fan, allowing gamers to build small form factor (SFF) gaming rigs not much larger than Apple's Mac mini or Intel's NUC desktops.

Though the Asus Phoenix GeForce RTX 3060 may be compact, it's still based on Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060 design and Ampere specifications, meaning you're going to get 12GB GDDR6 of VRAM, 3,584 CUDA cores, and an aluminum backplate. RGB lighting is notably missing, but that's understandable as most people who are building SFF rigs will likely not add the type of see-through glass windows that are becoming more standard on larger gaming desktops, like HP's Omen 30L.

Computing

Best Alienware deals: Gaming PCs, laptops, and monitors

Alienware Aurora R15 placed at an angle on a table.

Alienware has been in the game gear industry for two decades or so now, and it keeps coming out with some of the highest-end devices, whether it's gaming laptops, gaming PCs, headsets, or even a gaming chairs. Of course, being a premium brand does also mean that you're going to be paying premium prices, which is why you'll likely want to spring for an Alienware deal if you want to pick up something from the brand. That's why we've gone out and collected our favorite deals for you below, although if you don't quite find what you're looking for, check out some of the best gaming laptop deals and the best gaming PC deals we've put together.
Alienware AW720H wireless gaming headset -- $120, was $150

A gaming headset is a great way to keep in touch with your friends while you play. The Alienware AW720H gaming headset lets you do so without the burden of wires, as it connects to your gaming setup via Bluetooth. It has a built-in microphone for outgoing communications, as well as Dolby Atmos, Surround Sound, and Stereo Sound options to help immerse you in the game and incoming communications.

Computing

Nvidia might power your next handheld gaming PC

Starfield running on the Asus ROG Ally.

Rumor has it that Nvidia is working on a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that could power PCs and even future handheld gaming devices. The speculation comes from Dan Nystedt, who says that Nvidia is working with MediaTek to develop an AI processor that could be revealed as soon as June.

Adding further weight to the rumor is XpeaGPU, who also claims Nvidia is working on a handheld SoC. The leaker says that Nvidia thinks the chip has "good market potential." This isn't the first time we've heard about Nvidia looking at the growing market of handheld gaming PCs, either. In March, leaker Moore's Law is Dead claimed that Nvidia is "worried that it's missing the boat here" with handheld gaming PCs.