Skip to main content

Biostar races into the miniature PC market with its Intel Atom-driven Racing P1

biostar racing p1 miniature pc intel atom r1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
During Computex 2016 in June, Biostar showcased a mini-PC called the Racing P1. The device had a smartphone-like form factor, enabling owners to shove a fully enabled PC into their pocket. The unit had a surface mimicking steel and a “Racing” logo illuminated with customizable backlit RGB LEDs. The company said it would arrive in the third quarter of 2016, and now it’s listed as available on the company’s Racing P1 product page.

Here’s a brief list of the specs:

  Racing P1
Processor Intel Atom x5-Z8350
Cores/Threads 4/4
Base clock speed 1.44GHz
Boost clock speed 1.92GHz
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 400
System memory 4GB DDR3L @ 1,600MHz
Storage 64GB eMMC Flash
Audio Realtek ALC5645 2-channel

On the front panel, the new Racing P1 mini-PC provides one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, one Micro SD card reader, a line-out/microphone input jack, and the power button. On the back, the unit provides four USB 2.0 ports, one gigabit Ethernet port, and one HDMI port for connecting the unit to a monitor or HDTV. That means professionals could stuff the unit in their briefcase and connect the device to a hotel room’s TV instead of carrying a laptop.

The mini-PC is sold with an included disc packing the company’s Racing GT, BullGuard, and BIO-Remote 2 utilities. Given that the Racing P1 doesn’t come with an operating system installed, customers will have to pay an additional $120 for Windows 10 Home or $200 for Windows 10 Pro. The device supports either 64-bit versions of Microsoft’s new operating system.

The Intel processor packed inside isn’t all that old, and was released in the first quarter of 2016. Surprisingly, Intel says that the maximum memory capacity this chip supports is 2GB yet the device provides 4GB. Windows 10 demands 2GB for the 64-bit version, which would indicate why Biostar crammed 4GB into the unit. The processor and memory are integrated (soldered) into Biostar’s motherboard, so maybe Biostar figured out a way to work around the processor’s 2GB limit.

Although the unit provides gigabit connectivity for wired networking, the Racing P1 also provides Wireless AC to connect to wireless networks. It offers Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity as well for pairing Bluetooth-based devices like a smartphone, tablet, headset, mouse, and/or keyboard. The overall dimensions are 129.4(L) x 83(W) x 27(H) mm, and it weighs just nine ounces.

The new Racing P1 mini-PC is part of the company’s new “Racing” family of products that includes the Z170 GT7 motherboard and an SSD served up in three capacity options: 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB. The company said in August that it spent three times the marketing budget for 2016 than it has in the past few years to promote this new family of products.

The Racing P1 mini-PC is available to purchase now for $160 although it hadn’t shown up on Newegg or Amazon at the time of writing.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
The 5 best MacBooks for video editing in 2024
Apple MacBook Pro 16 front angled view showing display and keyboard.

Video editing is one of the most demanding things you can ask of your laptop. Not only do you need a powerful processor to keep things running smoothly, but you'll also need loads of RAM and a solid GPU to best carry out the task. If any of these components are lacking, you could run into trouble with your software – resulting in sluggish performance and a frustrating overall experience.

Hunting for a laptop that's robust enough to handle video editing isn't easy, but you can make things more manageable by sticking to Apple's MacBook catalog.

Read more
The 7 best laptop stands in 2024
Time for a desk upgrade! These great stands will elevate and protect your laptop
The Grovemade Wood Laptop Stand with other Grovemade desk supplies.

One of the first things to do after you get one of the best new laptops is to hunt for great accessories. That can mean getting the best wireless mouse to carry around with you, upgrading to more consistent Wi-Fi with a PC Wi-Fi adapter, or even getting a carrying case for when you take it out to the coffee shop for work. One laptop accessory that is often overlooked, much to our despair, is the laptop stand.

A laptop stand can be a great source of comfort due to the increased ergonomics, reduced heat on your lap, and give your laptop better overall functionality on top of a desk, too. Some are even designed to help keep the laptop cool, something every owner of one of the best gaming laptops will know is important. So, look at the following list of the best laptop stands with a mind for quality and comfort, you're sure to find something that meets your needs.
The best laptop stands in 2024

Read more
This Lenovo gaming laptop with an RTX 4090 is $740 off today
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i on a desktop surface outside.

Lenovo often has some of the best laptop deals and today is no different with a sweet discount for anyone seeking a new gaming laptop. A new arrival from Lenovo, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is already $740 off bringing it down to $2,900 from $3,640. Packed with the latest hardware, you’re going to love it and we’re here to tell you exactly why. Remember -- this deal is unlikely to stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
As one of the best gaming laptop brands, it’s always worth strongly considering Lenovo and its Legion range when seeking a new gaming rig. This particular model is packed with the latest hardware. It has a 14th-generation Intel Core i9-14900HX processor paired up with a massive 32GB of memory so it’s all set for gaming for a long time at high detail levels. Of course, to do so, it needs a great graphics card and you can’t get much better than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB of dedicated VRAM that’s included here. It all comes together to futureproof your gaming sessions for a long time to come.

Read more