Cyber X1 Pocket PC with Unconventional Cooling System Announced

MeLE has announced the compact Cyber X1 computer, which grabs attention not just for its size, but for its original engineering solution for thermal management. Instead of a traditional fan, the device's case features a massive heatsink that resembles a hedgehog or porcupine.

The new device is truly compact, measuring 131 by 81 mm with a height of just 24 mm, and weighs a mere 288 grams. Under the hood is a quad-core Intel N150 processor. While you shouldn't expect miracles from this chip, it handles basic tasks well enough. MeLE claims it has configured a higher 10W TDP for this model, which should, in theory, offer a slight performance bump over stock counterparts.

The mini-PC's key feature is its passive cooling system. A special grille on the top lid is made from high-thermal-conductivity plastic, allowing it to dissipate heat effectively without making a sound. This makes the device ideal for use as a media player or office PC where silence is critical. You could even use it as a gaming station, but keep your expectations in check—it will likely only handle games from before the 2010s, and even then, not all that well.

The configuration includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM soldered onto the board and a slot for an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. The included 512GB SSD can be swapped out for a higher-capacity or faster model. Despite its tiny footprint, connectivity shouldn't be an issue. The device is equipped with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet jack, four USB ports (including high-speed Type-C and Type-A), a microSD card slot, and an audio jack.

Official pricing and availability details are still unknown, but the device has already been spotted on Amazon listings with an estimated price of around €300. At that price point, it faces stiff competition. For example, there's the TexHoo mini-PC with the same processor and similar specs selling for just $140, and a more powerful GMKtec model with a Ryzen 5 3500U available for $165, though these alternatives do come in larger form factors.