The ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 is a fanless mini PC built around the Intel N100 processor, with up to 16 GB of RAM, dual 2.5 GbE LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6E and Windows 11 Pro. The closest Thinvent alternative is the Thinvent Treo Mini PC with Intel Celeron N5095A, which is also a compact mini PC with dual-band Wi-Fi and Windows 11 Pro. For a higher-performance option, the Thinvent Treo Mini PC with Intel Core i3-1215U has up to 64 GB of RAM.
ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 vs Thinvent Treo Mini PC
| Feature | ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 (Intel N100) | Thinvent Treo Mini PC (Intel Celeron N5095A) | Thinvent Treo Mini PC (Intel Core i3-1215U) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel N100 | Intel Celeron N5095A | Intel Core i3-1215U |
| Cores/Threads | Not confirmed | 4 cores | 6 cores |
| RAM | Up to 16 GB | Up to 8 GB | Up to 64 GB |
| Storage | M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD | Up to 2 TB SSD | Up to 2 TB SSD |
| Form Factor | Mini PC | Mini PC | Mini PC |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro (also Windows 11 IoT, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux Embedded Linux, Without OS, DOS) | Windows 11 Pro (also Windows 11 IoT Value, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux Embedded Linux, Without OS, DOS) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual band | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual band |
| Ethernet | 2 x 2.5 GbE | 1 x 1000 Mbps | 1 x 1000 Mbps (2 Ethernet ports on the 1215U Dual LAN variant) |
| Displays | Up to 3 | HDMI and VGA | HDMI and VGA |
| Fanless | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Dimensions | 115 x 115 x 49 mm | 199.5 x 181.5 x 29.5 mm | 199.5 x 181.5 x 29.5 mm |
Key differences
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC with Intel Core i3-1215U supports up to 64 GB of RAM, against the ASUS ExpertCenter PN42's 16 GB maximum.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC lets you choose from Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux Embedded Linux, Without OS, or DOS.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC with Intel Core i3-1215U has 6 cores, and the Celeron N5095A model has 4 cores.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC has a VESA mount and a 12V 5A or 7A adapter, depending on the configuration.
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The ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 is stronger on networking: it has two 2.5 GbE LAN ports and Wi-Fi 6E, while the Thinvent Treo Mini PC has one 1000 Mbps Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 5.
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The ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 is listed as fanless, and we could not confirm the Thinvent Treo Mini PC's cooling design.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS ExpertCenter PN42 if you need a fanless mini PC with 2.5 GbE networking and Wi-Fi 6E. Choose the Thinvent Treo Mini PC if you need more RAM, a choice of operating systems, or a Core i3 processor with up to 64 GB of memory.
