NEO N42C-4 or NEO G41V-4 ?

max80

max80

Member
Hi,
I'm gonna buy one of these two box, but I can decide which meets my needs better.
I will use the box as multimedia player from local storage connected via usb (full hd contents, no 4k) and occasionally internet browsing or streaming app (sky, amazon prime)

NEO N42C-4 has better placement of the usb ports and has upgradable RAM (mi intention is to upgrade to 8/16gb).
NEO G41V-4 has better CPU/GPU, but RAM (only 4gb) cannot be upgraded (I think 4gb of ram are too few to make everything run smoothly)
(I'm not concerned about NEO N42C-4 eMMC cause I will in every case add a SSD)

I expect than the Minix Neo W2 airmouse works with both device, am I right?

So my questions basically are
- is terms of CPU/GPU is the NEO G41V-4 significatively better than NEO N42C-4?
- NEO N42C-4 has some HW issues that have been solved on the NEO G41V-4 ?
- there are known issues installing win 10 on SSD on NEO N42C-4 ?

Thanks in advance
 
You should also consider the J50C-4 if your budget will stretch.

Personally I would take the G41V over the N42C.

I consider 4GB of RAM is plenty good enough for the tasks you mention and the G41V is no slouch and of course you can add SSD to it for additional storage. Only downside i see is there is no USB-C shoud you need that.
 
J50C-4 seems to be oversized for my needs (and really overpriced in my country: € 370)
Also I prefer a fanless device (I know N42C-4 has a fan but from various reviews seems a lot more silent than J50C-4 and also it should be a more mature device).
I'm quite disappointed with Minix choice to make ram not upgradable on G41V-4 and the usb ports placement (too close to each other).
Another problem is that G41V-4 is not on sale on amz in my country..
 
I completely agree with @pusb87 's general assessment & the G41V-4 would be my choice as well given the requirements you've listed :).

Additionally, (FYI)
N42C-4 is HDMI 1.4 (4K @30 max)
G41V-4 is HDMI 2.0 (4K @60)

If you understand what that potentially means you may want to factor that into your final decision if considering the N42C-4 as well. The N42C-4 doesn't support HDR for example, having said that I haven't personally got around to testing multimedia on the G41V-4 yet!! (Perhaps @pusb87 can please confirm support for HDR with the G41 in the meantime ;)?)

I've used an N42C-4 (with a SSD & 16 GB RAM) daily for the past 18 months. It's an outstanding mini PC & a true workhorse for its capabilities, no doubt there :). However, there's really only a couple of very specific apps/processes when I may use or need that amount of RAM myself, & you haven't listed any requirements that would ultimately require anything over stock with either device. Otherwise, 4 GB is more than enough for a fanless general purpose mini-PC like the G41V-4 & your intended use.

I've also just tested attaching some of my devices with the chunkiest USB plugs I could find to the G41V-4 for you & they all fit fine :). (All of my external Seagate & WD HDD's fit with room to spare & they have particularly "chunky" connectors.) The USB ports are relatively close but unless you're using a device with an excessively chunky USB plug it shouldn't be an issue for you. (Obviously the W2's dongle is also very small, so that won't be an issue either.)

Yes, the Neo W2 remote works fine with both devices :).

I haven't had any issues when installing Win onto a SSD with the N42C-4 myself. (2 seperate devices & several different official MINIX Win 10 Pro images.) Both devices have installed Win to the SSD very quickly & smoothly each time :). (Follow MINIX's official guide & ensure you're using a SSD listed as tested by MINIX or other forum users & installation problems are rarely reported.)

Happy choosing ;).
 
I can confirm J50C-4 and G41V-4 has HDR support and it works well.

I tested before N42C-4 and i think this device also supports HDR: (N42C-4 is now connected to a no HDR monitor)

(You can check HDR format support with this next link)

https://androidpctv.com/review-minix-neo-n42c-4/

W2 remote control works fine with the three devices.
 
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ArcticWolf said:
I completely agree with @pusb87 's general assessment & the G41V-4 would be my choice as well given the requirements you've listed :).

Additionally, (FYI)
N42C-4 is HDMI 1.4 (4K @30 max)
G41V-4 is HDMI 2.0 (4K @60)

If you understand what that potentially means you may want to factor that into your final decision if considering the N42C-4 as well. The N42C-4 doesn't support HDR for example, having said that I haven't personally got around to testing multimedia on the G41V-4 yet!! (Perhaps @pusb87 can please confirm support for HDR with the G41 in the meantime ;)?)

I've used an N42C-4 (with a SSD & 16 GB RAM) daily for the past 18 months. It's an outstanding mini PC & a true workhorse for its capabilities, no doubt there :). However, there's really only a couple of very specific apps/processes when I may use or need that amount of RAM myself, & you haven't listed any requirements that would ultimately require anything over stock with either device. Otherwise, 4 GB is more than enough for a fanless general purpose mini-PC like the G41V-4 & your intended use.

I've also just tested attaching some of my devices with the chunkiest USB plugs I could find to the G41V-4 for you & they all fit fine :). (All of my external Seagate & WD HDD's fit with room to spare & they have particularly "chunky" connectors.) The USB ports are relatively close but unless you're using a device with an excessively chunky USB plug it shouldn't be an issue for you. (Obviously the W2's dongle is also very small, so that won't be an issue either.)

Yes, the Neo W2 remote works fine with both devices :).

I haven't had any issues when installing Win onto a SSD with the N42C-4 myself. (2 seperate devices & several different official MINIX Win 10 Pro images.) Both devices have installed Win to the SSD very quickly & smoothly each time :). (Follow MINIX's official guide & ensure you're using a SSD listed as tested by MINIX or other forum users & installation problems are rarely reported.)

Happy choosing ;).
Click to expand...

I think that among these 2 devices I'd go with the N42C-4 cause for my experience, win 10 with less then 8gb of ram is unusable. So essentially I'd like to know if its hw decoding capabilities are enough for my need (as i mentioned: full hd h264/h265 videos, no hdr or 4k or 60fps) or if the G41V-4 is far more powerful for that task.
 
notrui said:
I can confirm J50C-4 and G41V-4 has HDR support and it works well.

I tested before N42C-4 and i think this device also supports HDR: (N42C-4 is now connected to a no HDR monitor)

(You can check HDR format support with this next link)

https://androidpctv.com/review-minix-neo-n42c-4/

W2 remote control works fine with the three devices.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure.
I checked it before and HDR isn't supported by the GPU :(

https://forums.intel.com/s/question...mini-lake-uhd-605-supports-hdr?language=en_US

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/s...raphics/HDR_Intel_Graphics_TechWhitePaper.pdf
 
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Skynet said:
I'm note sure.
I checked it before and HDR isn't supported by the GPU :(

https://forums.intel.com/s/question...mini-lake-uhd-605-supports-hdr?language=en_US

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/s...raphics/HDR_Intel_Graphics_TechWhitePaper.pdf
Click to expand...
Hum. (my TV is 4k HDR)
I tested now again with G41V-4 and this happened: (i have few 4K HDR movies content and samples)

-i can watch 4k HDR content but the information of the TV is only 4K, this is my test

I think with J50C-4 and N42C-4 the results are the same.


With U9H (for example) the information of the TV - icon (HDR) is enable when i play HDR content


It is a little difficult (at least for me) to see the difference (visually) when HDR is on or off
 
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notrui said:
I think with J50C-4 and N42C-4 the results are the same.
Click to expand...

No, i don't think so.
G41V-4 is HDR compatible but no X86 Minix are compatible yet.
This is one of the first thing i search for (before installing Kodi).
Connect your N42-C or J50C and play some HDR movies, the colours will be washed :(
(first 8 bits played out of 10 bits movie)
 
max80 said:
J50C-4 seems to be oversized for my needs (and really overpriced in my country: € 370)
Also I prefer a fanless device (I know N42C-4 has a fan but from various reviews seems a lot more silent than J50C-4 and also it should be a more mature device).
I'm quite disappointed with Minix choice to make ram not upgradable on G41V-4 and the usb ports placement (too close to each other).
Another problem is that G41V-4 is not on sale on amz in my country..
Click to expand...
The fan speed (and therefore the noise produced from it) can be adjusted within the BIOS settings on NEO J50C-4.
NEO J50C-4's fan should produce similiar noise levels as NEO N42C-4.
---
We opted for the fixed 4GB DDR4 RAM inside NEO G41V-4 as otherwise we would have needed to include a fan.
It was our intention to offer two Gemini Lake models: 1.) Fanless Mini PC [NEO G41V-4] 2.) More poweful with fan Mini PC [NEO J50C-4]
 
MINIX - John said:
The fan speed (and therefore the noise produced from it) can be adjusted within the BIOS settings on NEO J50C-4.
NEO J50C-4's fan should produce similiar noise levels as NEO N42C-4.
---
We opted for the fixed 4GB DDR4 RAM inside NEO G41V-4 as otherwise we would have needed to include a fan.
It was our intention to offer two Gemini Lake models: 1.) Fanless Mini PC [NEO G41V-4] 2.) More poweful with fan Mini PC [NEO J50C-4]
Click to expand...

Sad.. so must wait and see if in the next months there will be in my country a price drop for the NEO J50C-4. Cause we cannot have from Minix 8gb of RAM without a noisy fan... :-(
 
max80 said:
Sad.. so must wait and see if in the next months there will be in my country a price drop for the NEO J50C-4. Cause we cannot have from Minix 8gb of RAM without a noisy fan... :-(
Click to expand...
Send me a PM and let me know where you are, I can then recommend resellers to purchase from.
 
pusb87 said:
I have NOT been able to get HDR out of the G41 :(

Are you sure, If so how ??
Click to expand...

Thanks for double checking that one @pusb87 , (much appreciated)! :)

I've also had more of a scan around in the meantime....

....G41V-4 reviews on Android PC TV, & Jayceooi, both seem to agree & also state that the device will not "output" HDR.

When it comes to HDR output, the G41V-4 "it would seem" is no different to the preceding N42C-4! Both devices will happily "play" any HDR media from your preferred media player, however, unfortunately they just won't "output" that media in HDR (according to the reviewers at least?). (The limiting factor for HDR with both devices (N42C-4 & G41V-4) is actually the GPU as @Skynet noted earlier. "It would appear" from the info I could find that Intel UHD Graphics 620 is also the minimum requirement for HDR output as far as the "GPU" is concerned :)!! (Gemini Lake class could well be a factor too.)

That being the case, it would also "appear" that the J50C-4 also may not support HDR either. (MINIX official specs state that the J50C-4 has Intel UHD Graphics 605.)

https://www.jayceooi.com/minix-neo-g41v-4-review/

https://androidpctv.com/review-minix-neo-g41v-4-opinion/

Anyhoo, not to get sidetracked from max80's requirements or questions. (Just included this information at this point to clarify the situation regarding HDR for both of the devices currently under discussion so far. Hopefully, it'll save any confusion for any users who may be reading this post in the future :).)
 
max80 said:
Sad.. so must wait and see if in the next months there will be in my country a price drop for the NEO J50C-4. Cause we cannot have from Minix 8gb of RAM without a noisy fan... :-(
Click to expand...

Noticed in your sig from another post that you went with the J50C-4 :).

Happy with it?
 
got i
ArcticWolf said:
Noticed in your sig from another post that you went with the J50C-4 :).

Happy with it?
Click to expand...

Got it 3 days ago. Not really satisfied because of the issue of the DEL key on the remote (it really upsets me cause I type a lot) and other things properly related to the box:

1) the fan regulation in the BIOS sucks (cannot properly raise temperature level before fan attacks)
2) beep sound at startup really sucks! I know it can be disable on other minix box but not on the J50C-4. I hope this will be fixed in future bios versions
3) windows is quite unstable (1809)
4) due to the interchangable plug adapter of the power supplier i cannot properly put it where the previos was cause new model is bigger (I use a cable management box) have to check but I think I could use the U1 power supplier if technical specs are compatible

In general my biggest problem now is to get used to the new remote and to navigate web pages using scrolls.
Really satisfied to have achieved my main objective: get over all Android limitations and enjoy with kodi library and my multiple usb hdd.

I have to admit (I already knew it before) that windows 10 is totally sh1t, but I can't blame Minix for this.
Monday I'll get the ssd and the 16gb ram kit, hope there won't be problems with the upgrade
 
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