General Analysis

The ECS LIVA Z2 is a fairly good system considering its MSRP of just $220. The reviewed unit features an Intel Pentium Silver N5000 quad-core SoC based on the Goldmont Plus architecture. While by no means a powerhouse, it does prove to be a huge upgrade compared to the N3350 in the LIVA Z and LIVA Q units. However, the system could definitely benefit from an upgrade to 8 GB of DDR4. Simply put, the single 4 GB SODIMM included in the system just is not enough for heavy multi-tasking or a large numbers of browser tabs. Upping the system to 8 GB of DDR4 in dual channel would cost ECS a bit more, but would result in a much better system capable of even replacing basic office machines.

In regards to storage, the eMMC is a great deal faster than an HDD when it comes to read speeds, which makes for faster booting and a more responsive system. However, you will only have about 15 GB of space to use after the OS is installed. Keep in mind drivers and Windows updates need some space as well, so you won't have much space to spare. That means you will have to add a 2.5" drive at some point. Thankfully, 2.5" drives are readily available and affordable, but users who just want a plug and play system may be unhappy with how little storage space is available by default. Going with 64 GB should cost somewhere around $20 more than the 32 GB base configuration. With such a small difference in actual material cost, ECS should be offering 64 GB with the LIVA Z2 by default and just forgo the 32 GB option. That said, both 32 GB and 64 GB versions are slated to be available, so if you want or need the extra space keep an eye out for the 64 GB version.

For typical computing tasks, the LIVA Z2 performed admirably. Web browsing when tabs are kept under control was not an issue. Netflix playback and 4K 60 FPS YouTube videos were also no problem for the system. Typical office tasks, such as editing spreadsheets and documents, were no challenge either. Overall, for a typical home user just doing everyday tasks, the LIVA Z2 will perform quite admirably. It makes for a good system for children and grandparents or as as a cheap system for keeping track of your finances. If a more powerful gaming system is already present at home, then in-home streaming via Steam works quite well too with a wired connection, with games such as Conan Exiles and Doom running perfectly at 1080p with no lag or stutter. WiFi capabilities will be dependent on your router and your home network setup.

In general, I can easily recommend the LIVA Z2 as an HTPC. The update to Goldmont Plus means HDMI 2.0 is now included, which allows for 4K 60 Hz with HDCP 2.2. Meaning, this tiny system not only offers the ability to add local storage for media as it can also output 4K properly without any issues. The support for HDCP 2.2 also means that the likes of Netflix and other streaming apps and Blu-ray playback work just fine. YouTube playback in my tests at 4K 60 Hz was also flawless. Set up as a regular Internet box or system for simple tasks, the ECS LIVA Z2 just feels good. It will do what you need it to without breaking the bank. In regards to the older laptop I have beside me from Lenovo running an older AMD APU, the LIVA Z feels much snappier and generally boots and performs better in every way. Granted, part of this is due to the eMMC instead of an HDD, but it's still a valid comparison. That said, it is obviously not as portable as a proper laptop, but if your system just sits on a desk, then the LIVA Z2 may be a worthwhile option compared to a cheap laptop depending on your situation.

Power consumption for the entire unit is also quite low, peaking at just 12 watts according to my Kill-A-Watt P4400 when stressing the system with AIDA64. The CPU peaks to about 12 watts under load, but will quickly drop down to 6 watts. The core frequency settles in at around 1.6 GHz on all four cores under load. While nowhere near the 2.7 GHz boost frequency, it still manages a full 500 MHz more than the Intel-guaranteed base frequency of 1.1 GHz. Temperatures during these tests were no problem with the CPU peaking at just 55°C.

Overall, the build quality of the ECS LIVA Z2 is exceptional. Its design is simple, but strong and easily serviceable. Upgrading the storage and memory is a breeze with said upgrades only taking minutes to perform. When your break it all down, the LIVA Z2 is an entry level jack of all trades and master of none. ECS just needs to step out of their comfort zone with a few things to make this offering a truly fantastic product rather than just a good one.