Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail is the most popular processor from Intel which can be found in the mini PC. On the market we have many manufacturers and many models of mini PCs equipped with the Cherry Trail processor. One of them is a mini PC called W8 Pro (model: CX-W8 Pro, WIntel Pro). Therefore, today we want to introduce you to W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC review. In this review we want to bring you the the features and impressions of using W8 Pro mini PC and answer the questions: how W8 Pro works in normal use, how copes with video playback at 4K and that we stumbled upon some problems. We invite you to read.
I want to say thanks to Well Global company (Shenzhen WellGlobal Electronic Co.,Limited) for sending us a W8 Pro mini PC to review. Persons / distributors interested W8 Pro mini PC can contact through the Well Global website or directly via e-mail: sales1(at)wellglobal.cn. CX-W8 Pro (Wintel W8 Pro) is also available on Gearbest for $85.68 + free shipping.
W8 Pro mini PC Technical Specification:
- OS: Windows 10
- CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail (quad-core, up to 1.8GHz)
- GPU: Intel HD Gen8 Graphics
- Memory: 2GB DDR3
- Storage: 32GB eMMC + microSD slot (up to 64GB)
- Video & Audio Output: HDMI (1.4), 3.5mm Audio Output Earphone
- Connectivity: 802.1 b/g/n Wi-Fi (Realtek8723), Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps, Bluetooth 4.0
- Interfaces: 2x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI (1.4), 1x microSD card slot,1x micro USB OTG, 1x Earphone jack, DC jack
- Other: Power button, power LED
- Power Supply: 5V/3A
- Dimensions: 98 x 98 x 22.3mm
- Weight: 246g
What’s in the box?
What we find in the box? The box included everything that you need to get started:
- W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC
- HDMI cable
- Power adapter 5V/3A (EU)
- Quick Start Guide
The following video from our YouTube channel where you can take a look at more W8 Pro – Wintel Pro and bundled accessories.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxV-CuyAS54[/embedyt]
First impressions
W8 Pro (model CX-W8 Pro) is solidly made small mini PC (98 x 98 x 22.3mm) in housing with high-quality plastic. At the top of the housing cover a sample that we received has still mark Wintel from the previous version (CX-W8). The new cover will have the designation Wintel Pro. Below is a picture of a marketing brochure.
Also at the bottom of the box are the specifications of the previous version of the CX-W8. The correct specification can be found above and on our video, when we put the correct specification.
On the front panel Wintel Pro (W8 Pro) was placed Power button with Power LED. On one side is a two USB 2.0 port, and micro SD card slot. On the rear panel are: headset port, RJ45 Fast Ethernet port, HDMI 1.4 port, micro USB (OTG) and 5V/3A DC jack. Below the real pictures.
At the bottom of the device there are a small rubber to prevent slipping device, and there is the model designation.
As we said at the beginning of W8 Pro is a small mini PC (98 x 98 x 22.3mm). Below pictures W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) compared to matchbox.
The W8 Pro mini PC is powered up via the power button. Booting Windows 10 Home to the “main screen” takes about 00:23.7 seconds. The CX-W8 Pro comes with Windows 10 Home. Windows is not activated, and you can not activate it, you need to buy a license. On the other hand updates can be downloaded without a problem. There’s a single 28.2GB C:/ drive that had 13.6GB free space before installing Firefox and Adobe Flash. During the tests, Windows 10 Home runs without problems, stable. Installed Windows 10 has the most current drivers, but also you can check if there are new driver updates via the Intel Driver Update Utility. I had no problem with Ethernet and WiFi connection to my router. Below some screenshots.
In addition to the standard keyboard and mouse,I used also Xiaomi gamepad and remote control app – Intel Remote Keyboard Host App. Intel has prepared a really great application, which allows using a smartphone (as in TV Boxes with Android OS) can be remotely (via WiFi) to use the mini PC. To perform test video was installed the latest stable version Kodi 16.0 Jarvis.
Also, to tests ran the most famous games that we tested on Android TV Boxes – Beach Buggy Racing and Jetpack Joyride. Games work without a problem, handling through a standard keyboard and mouse as well. On the other hand I was not able to play using Xiaomi gamepad – the problem with drivers. Detection Xaomi gameped and pairing via Bluetooth without a problem, but I had to visit many forums to find a solution on Xiaomi Gamepad compatibility with Windows 10. Despite the use of several solutions I could not play Beach Buggy with Xiaomi gamepd (like solve the problem let you know).
Operating system and components
As I wrote earlier, W8 Pro mini PC runs on Windows 10 Home, the system is is not activated and you can not activate it, you need to purchase licenses. CX-W8 Pro mini PC is equipped with a well-known Intel processor – Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail (quad-core, @ 1.44GHz up to 1.8GHz) and Intel HD Gen8 Graphics GPU. On the following screens you can see exactly the components used and their specification (Information taken from the AIDA64 app and Intel HD Graphics Control Panel). HWiNFO64 detects Atom x5-Z8300 processor and its Gen8 GPU correctly. Below screenchots.
Performance tests and benchmarks
Video playback by Kodi 16.0 Jarvis runs smoothly and stable. W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC without problem seems plays movies with the resolution of 480p,720p and1080p(24fps, 30fps, 60fps) and also 4K (60fps) with various codecs video such as H.264, H.265, MPEG2, MPEG4, RMVB and audio – DTS and AC3. Dolby Digital 5.1 worked fine via HDMI. Also I tested several video formats –AVI, MKV, MP4 (typical formats in which it holds the majority of films) and also videos was played without anyproblems. I was able to play back media from both my USB flash drive and USB-powered 2.5″ HDD without any issues. The tested W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC plays video files in 4K (also 60fps) without any major problems (Big Plus!). Unfortunately, playback video in 4K on Youtube was not stable, and did not work smoothly. Format 1080p work correctly.
Typical 1080p | KODI |
MPEG2 / MP2 2.0 – 6.6Mbps | OK |
MPEG4 / MP3 2.0 – 7.6Mbps | OK |
H264 / AAC 2.0 – 7.2Mbps | OK |
VC1 / WMA3 2.0 – 25Mbps | OK |
VP8 / VORBIS 2.0 – 7.8Mbs | OK |
– | – |
4K Video | |
Sintel – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 24fps | OK |
BBB Sunflower -H264 – 60fps | OK |
Honey Bees – 96fps | OK |
Skyfall – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 10Mbps | OK |
Puppies Bath – h264/AAC 2.0 | OK |
Cinemartin H265/HEVC | OK |
Tears of steel – 60fps | OK |
HD Club Chimei – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 60Mbps | OK |
– | – |
H.265/VP9 Video | |
Tears of steel – H265-HVEC / AAC 2.0 – 15Mbps | OK |
Youtube – VP9 / 1080p | OK |
CX-W8 Pro mini PC Benchmarks
The W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC scored on GeekBech 3: Single Core score – 732 and Multi Core score – 2090. Below some of screenshots. The mini PC also scored 7030 on Ice Storm 1.2 (Graphics Score-9054, Physics Score- 3945)
Below the results of the PC Benchmark, CrystalDiskMark 3.0.4 and CrystalDiskMark 5.1.2
Conclusions
The W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC is worth interest. First of all, it is a small pocket-sized mini PC, which is the heart of Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail processor supports UHD 4K@60fps HW decoding, multiple formats including H.265 10-bit, H.264, AVS+ and also FHD 1080p @60fps HW encoding, H.264. Plays typical video content in 1080p and copes well with the video in 4K (also with 60fps). The W8 Pro mini PC runs on Windows 10 Home quickly and stable, so that you can be a fully enjoy Windows 10 you should buy the full license cost in addition to about $30, therefore for about $120, we have the mini PC with activated Windows 10. Once again I want to say thanks to Well Global company for sending us a CX-W8 Pro sample. So if you are looking for a portable mini PC with asmall dimensions, stable working and having Windows 10 this W8 Pro mini PC is for you. W8 Pro well suited to home and small business. We recommend W8 Pro (CX-W8 Pro) mini PC.
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