ECS LIVA Z Mini-PC Review: Efficiency Still Matters
It is almost two years ago now when the ECS Liva X was reviewed here at Modders-Inc, showing what a PC that is only about the same volume as a 355ml can of beer can do. Many has changed since then and the latest incarnation of the ECS mini-PC is even smaller. The new Liva Z packs the latest Intel Apollo Lake SoC which should provide quite a bit more muscle than the Intel Bay Trail Atom SoC used in the Liva X. The ECS Liva Z also brings plenty of storage connectivity options and is equipped with dual-Gigabit LAN as well as Wireless 802.11AC + Bluetooth so it is ready to be used as a media PC for the living room.
The Liva Z comes in three Intel Apollo Lake options: Celeron N3350 (which is this model being reviewed), Celeron N3450 and Pentium N4200. The N3350 is a dual-core/dual-thread SoC while both the N3450 and the Pentium N4200 are quad-core models.
The ECS Liva Z has a fairly conservative design with a 3/4 view of the Liva Z in front on a black background. Since the Liva X is available in different configurations, the specifications on the side show what storage and memory capacity the unit inside contains. This one specfically is the N3350 version with 32GB eMMC storage.
Inside the box, the top compartment houses the new Liva Z unit while the compartment to the bottom and side of it contains the accessories which include a power adapter for North America. A VESA mount (75mm/100mm) with mounting screws. The ECS Liva X does not ship with an OS by default.
Specifications:
| Platform | Intel® Apollo Lake Pentium® N4200 SOC Intel® Apollo Lake Celeron® N3450 SOC Intel® Apollo Lake Celeron® N3350 SOC |
| Memory | 2 x SO-DIMM Memory DDRR3L Up to 8GB |
| Expansion Slot | 1 x M.2 for SSD |
| Storage | Support 1 x eMMC 32GB/64GB |
| Audio | 1 x Combo Jack 1 x Digitial Mic |
| LAN | 2 x Gigabit LAN |
| USB | 3 x USB3.1 Gen1 Ports 1 x USB3.0 Type-C port |
| Video Output | 1 x HDMI Port (HDMI 1.4) 1 x mDP Port |
| Wireless | Intel® WiFi 802.11ac & Bluetooth 4.0 |
| PCB Size | 115 x 111 mm |
| Dimension | 117 x 128 x 51 mm |
| VESA | Supports 75mm / 100mm |
| Adapter | Input: AC 100-240V,Output: DC 19V / 3.42A |
| OS Support | Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Windows 10 *Recommends to install Windows, ECS does not provide other OS installation technical support. |
| Accessory | 1 x Power adapter 1 x VESA Bracket 6 x VESA Mount Screws Quick Guide & Driver DVD |
