[Review] VeryPC Nano Sketch

[zag]

I've got a demo unit of the VeryPC Nano Sketch so thought I would post a quick review.

 

https://www.very-pc.co.uk/products/nano-pc/nano-sketch

 

Technology has really moved on with these machines measuring just 20x13cm and can have a variety of CPU's and disk configurations.

Its basically a complete PC in a small package.

 

Pictures

 

Performance and Reliability

I've got the i3 version on test and performance seems good for the processor and disk. We are using Intel SSD's in them so reliability is virtually guaranteed.

 

 

Features

The box is packed with extra features including Front USB 3 ports, Wireless and an SD Card reader. I particularly liked the drivers being available on a supplied memory card and a simple 1 click install.

I've only tested with windows 7 but all the drivers and software worked perfectly.

One downside of the small size, is there is no VGA port. I had to use the supplied DVI to VGA converter but it worked fine. Normally I would use DVI but my testing monitor was only VGA.

 

Conclusion

Overall I love these new devices, I don't see any downside to the old style desktop PC's at all.

I'll be ordering a batch of these soon with the VESA mounts to attach to the back of monitors in our old ICT rooms. They are small, fast and look great.

Edited May 7, 2014 by zag

[LosOjos]

Nice little summary of the box, however I have to ask: are Intel paying you to promote their SSDs in every post?

[zag]

Nice little summary of the box, however I have to ask: are Intel paying you to promote their SSDs in every post?

 

Haha no, I just find it difficult to understand why people buy anything else... A few extra quid for 100% reliability is well worth it.

 

I do like the Samsung SSD's as well but I don't have the experience of running hundreds of them like the Intels

 

The Nano Sketch is nice and its great you can customize it how you want.

Edited May 7, 2014 by zag

[mac_shinobi]

@zag - which model of Intel SSD's do you get and how much are they roughly ?

[Gaz]

How are they for heat dissipation? there doesn't look like there are any visible vents.

[fiza]

Do they come without the memory card slot on the front? Wouldn't want card slots for student use.

[zag]

@zag - which model of Intel SSD's do you get and how much are they roughly ?

 

I've always bought the 320 series in the past but I think they are end of life now.

 

Recent machine purchases have come with the 530 series.

 

You can get them for around 65 quid on insight I believe, for 120GB versions.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

How are they for heat dissipation? there doesn't look like there are any visible vents.

 

The vents are at the side, it doesn't create much heat from my tests.

 

The i3 processor probably helps that.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Do they come without the memory card slot on the front? Wouldn't want card slots for student use.

 

I think they all come with memory card slots, but we mount them on the back of monitors and deny memory cards using Group Policy so shouldn't be an issue.

Edited May 7, 2014 by zag

[fiza]

I think they all come with memory card slots, but we mount them on the back of monitors and deny memory cards using Group Policy so shouldn't be an issue.

 

Its not the use that would worry me - its the jamming things into the slot issue.