Then how can it be a "fantastic system" or a "great value"?
A fantastic system doesn't get three red flags (lack of Windows 10, lack of adequate RAM, lack of adequate storage capacity), let alone one. The same goes for a great value.
Instead of rating based on a different system (one with 64 GB, for instance), you have to rate on what you actually have. That is the system, not some other one.
32GB is not ideal however the fact it has a Standard 2.5 Inch drive bay means at least storage upgrades are extremely cheap. Functionality wise the system is a great value. The Quadcore N5000 proves more than adequate and while 4GB of memory is also not ideal it was still enough for day to day tasks. As an enthusiast I would have liked to see ECS make those changes. Extra storage and memory means multi-tasking and packrats won't encounter issues later on. Then again considering the market where this will likely be used is likely digital signage, HTPC etc the optional upgrades i considered a negative are likely to be minor problems. As such I rated the system based on my experience with it not my "wish list" of changes which would make it a better product. Then again just about any computer would be better with more, faster, storage and ram.
That said, what would have been nice to see, doesn't necessarily mean the experience was bad. For office work, youtube, media playback etc the 4GB of memory and 32GB storage was fine as a jumping off point. Shortcomings that can be improved do not make a product worthless. As for reviewing other version. Considering the 32GB or 64GB of eMMC they base configuration is still available ie N5000 with all same parts just more storage built in. As such performance doesn't change. Then again if you don't like my reviews or how I handle content your free to not read it. There is also the fact again at least memory / storage can be upgraded. In previous designs and other mini-PCs your likely to find soldered on memory and no storage expansion option. On in LIVA Z case rather than a 2.5 Inch bay they included an M.2 but it was limited to 2242 form factor. Eitherway end of the day I plugged it all in pushed the power button and got a stable experience at an extremely low price.
To break it down for you.
The system worked, it didn't thermal throttle or crash, it was stable, it handled tasks as expected considering its tiny footprint and specifications. If a product doesn't fail, and in fact does what it is suppose to do should I fail it anyway based on my pre-conceived notions as to what I want? Or should I remain objective and realize that while again more memory and storage = good and i would have appreciated that, those two thinks lacking did not cause me any real problems.
According to the ECS LIVA Z2
website it is supposed to have GPIO pins. The sample you reviewed does not. Any idea if the GPIO pins will be on the shipping product?
GPIO pins should be available on retail models I will double check with ECS to find out if its limited to select models / regions my unit has the spot for the connector and in fact you could likely solder to it directly but obviously thats not ideal. Eitherway when I hear from ECS i will let you know.
