Intel Core Ultra 7 255H-Powered Khadas Mind 2s Launched With $1,599 Price Tag

[GGforever]

Khadas is a relatively well-known name in realm of mini PCs, offering quite a unique approach. Unlike other mini PCs which rely on eGPUs and docks for expansion, the Khadas utilizes a base compute unit, aptly named the "Mind", which can dock with expansion units and eGPUs utilizing the 'Mind Link' interface, offering up to eight PCIe 5.0 lanes - or, in other words, a maximum bandwidth of 256 GT/s. That said, the Mind 2s was announced at CES, and is now available for purchase at a hefty price of $1,599. There exists only a single variant for now, and it is unclear as of this writing whether higher- and lower-tier variants will ever see the light of day.

That said, the Mind 2s is no slouch - the system packs the decently performant Core Ultra 7 255H Arrow Lake-H CPU paired with 64 GB of LPDDR5X memory. Clearly, the memory is not upgradeable, although the storage very much is, courtesy of the M.2 2230 slot. The ports on the Mind 2s 'brain' are far from plenty for a desktop system, featuring a single Thunderbolt 4, USB4, HDMI 2.1, and dual USB 3.2 ports. As mentioned previously, the system can be expanded using the Mind Link interface. For instance, the Khadas Mind Dock offers a plethora of additional I/O, and the Khadas Mind Graphics eGPU offers a massive boost to graphics performance. Another module, dubbed the Mind xPlay is also in the works, which will function as a portable external display for the Mind unit. The Mind 2s also features a 5.55 Wh built-in battery, allowing the system to go to sleep instead of completely dying on its user in the case of a power cut.



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[bonehead123]

Well, where do I start ?

A) No ports on the front...√
B Soldered/limited ram, unless they will have other (more expensive) models with more...√
C) Need to purchase additional (& likely expensive) parts to make it really useful for anything beyond office/general everyday use...√
D) Limited storage capacity, due to 2230 slot instead of 2280...√
E) Outrageously high price...√

Seems like a D.O.A. box to me √

But hey, at least it's aesthetically pleasing, so I'll give 'em credit for that

 

[Dr_b_]

This is nothing more than a laptop with no monitor, but for an absurd price premium, and it can't be upgraded. What is the joke?

 

[Timbaloo]

I know there are people that prefer (for whatever reason) to carry a mini PC from home to some workplace etc. instead of a sub-notebook.
I also get that this particular form factor might be beneficial for such people.
I get that the limited I/O and the limited RAM/capacity might not be an issue for some (I'd be fine with 32GB+1TB and also the I/O given).
But what I do not even remotely get is why the hell I should get invested into something marketed to be expandable by a non-standard "Mind Link" connector, that - while open and "collaborative" according to Mind - purely relies on the hope that the - open and "collaborative" - eco system will actually be a thing, WHILE truly open, truly standardised solutions already exist. Mind->blown();

 

[Wirko]

A) No ports on the front...√

You holding it wrong. ALL ports are on the front.

 

[kondamin]

Well, where do I start ?

A) No ports on the front...√
B Soldered/limited ram, unless they will have other (more expensive) models with more...√
C) Need to purchase additional (& likely expensive) parts to make it really useful for anything beyond office/general everyday use...√
D) Limited storage capacity, due to 2230 slot instead of 2280...√
E) Outrageously high price...√

Seems like a D.O.A. box to me √

But hey, at least it's aesthetically pleasing, so I'll give 'em credit for that

I would like it with an n100 and about a seventh of the price.

 

[Wirko]

E) Outrageously high price...√

Maybe you're holding the price tag wrong too, although it doesn't seem better when rotated 180°.

 

[bug]

I know there are people that prefer (for whatever reason) to carry a mini PC from home to some workplace etc. instead of a sub-notebook.
I also get that this particular form factor might be beneficial for such people.
I get that the limited I/O and the limited RAM/capacity might not be an issue for some (I'd be fine with 32GB+1TB and also the I/O given).
But what I do not even remotely get is why the hell I should get invested into something marketed to be expandable by a non-standard "Mind Link" connector, that - while open and "collaborative" according to Mind - purely relies on the hope that the - open and "collaborative" - eco system will actually be a thing, WHILE truly open, truly standardised solutions already exist. Mind->blown();

I know the pictures try hard to suggest this (the carry pouch, no power brick in sight), but I doubt this is powered wirelessly. So not that comfy to carry with you. But nice if you don't want a PC that takes up much space. It's also thicker than laptops, so probably better cooling, too, meaning more legroom for the CPU.

 

[kapone32]

Wow more expensive than the Minis Forum MS A1. A Mini PC where you can actually update the CPU.

 

[watzupken]

Mini PCs prices are going up and going up too much. What used to be quite interesting and worth trying is starting to become unattractive as it starts encroaching into the ITX PC and laptop price range. While I understand that a mini PC is really small when compared to either ITX or laptop, but with typically 1 year or no warranty for 1.5 grand of mini PCs, the ITX rig or laptop is to me a better deal.

 

[Zareek]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was thinking "What the hell are they smoking?" when reading the price tag.

 

[TPUnique]

Look, it's pretty simple : Strix Halo is now a reality, so this thing and any other mini PC relying on eGPUs are DOA.

 

[kapone32]

Mini PCs prices are going up and going up too much. What used to be quite interesting and worth trying is starting to become unattractive as it starts encroaching into the ITX PC and laptop price range. While I understand that a mini PC is really small when compared to either ITX or laptop, but with typically 1 year or no warranty for 1.5 grand of mini PCs, the ITX rig or laptop is to me a better deal.

The other insane development is that Mini ITX boards have fallen considerably in price. Now we just need cases to do the same and the dream of a HTPC that supports the spirit of DIY can finally be something for more people.

 

[Flawless]

So, i better buy a laptop....