Chinese computer maker Chuwi’s latest small form factor desktop is called the Chuwi GT Box, and it’s available from Gearbest for $300 for a model with an Intel Core i3-5005U Broadwell processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of solid state storage.

The most remarkable thing about this little desktop (aside from its 4-year-old processor) is probably the design. It looks a bit like a tiny replica of a classic Mac Pro… but what the new Chuwi GT Box Windows 10 mini PC really looks is the Chuwi HiGame that launched last summer. The new model is just a lot cheaper (and less powerful).

The HiGame was positioned as a compact gaming desktop with an Intel Kaby Lake-G processor and AMD Radeon Vega M graphics (and a $1299 starting price).

The new Chuwi GT Box has the same 6.8″ x 6.2″ x 2.9″ chassis, but it sports a lower-power processor, Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics, and other downgrades (including DDR3 RAM rather than DDR4).

But hey… it’s a lot more affordable and it’s still kind of cute.

The Chuwi GT Box supports dual storage thanks to an M.2 slot for solid state storage and a 2.5 inch drive bay for a hard drive or SSD. There’s also an SD card reader, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4, an Ethernet jack, two HDMI ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

I do have mixed feelings about ordering anything from Gearbest at the moment, due to the store’s recent security issues. But I suspect the Chuwi GT Box will be available through other sources eventually.

via Chuwi

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9 replies on “Chuwi’s $300 GT Box mini PC is a cheaper, less powerful HiGame”

  1. Those handle shaped objects sure make the computer look bigger than it is when it’s the only thing in the picture.

  2. The I/Os on this system are not bad, they cover most of the acceptable range from HDMI to USB 3.0 but I think they should have added a USB Type-C port which would have made this a whole lot better but not going to complain too much about that since this isn’t a laptop. But the included wireless card was a good addition that makes sense for the build. The available M.2 Slot is about the best feature I can see, would have loved a newer processor but with Intel current shortage I know that’s not going to be happening. But all in all, this is a good build at a good price. Chuwi seems to be stepping up their game.

  3. Just ordered one of this from Gearbest and unlike some of you going on about specs and such my reason is far more practical. I am a content writer and already have a good system within my study for work, just needed a second affordable system to have in the living area downstairs so I can write without having to go upstairs. I have an extra monitor so this just made sense to me since it doesn’t cost so much. but that’s just my opinion

  4. First off I would install Linux on this little beauty and connect it to my external USB Hard drive bay. Presto instant media server. Could do the same with the pre-installed windows but I am a Linux guy so will just go with that. Price isn’t too bad either. My only issue is that its DDR3, not DDR$ Ram but I’m guessing they did that to keep the price down.

  5. This seems more like an entry level computer, so was not expecting to use it for gaming or heavy duty work load, but I can see it being used in offices with light workloads where they just need affordable systems for task like, write documents and spreadsheets, create a few PowerPoints and attend to emails, and the size allows it to takes up little desk real-estate. I can just see this being used in a sea of office cubicles.lol

  6. Only supports volumes up to 2TB both internally and externally, according to the spec sheet. Not enough to store my movie collection.

    I thought external drives should be limited by the OS (Windows 10) and the USB controller?

  7. 5th gen Intel CPUs are too old to support h265 hardware decoding, so 4K video is out of the question unless it is Youtube. Probably one of the primary use-cases for Mini PCs for some people.

    You need at least 7th gen Intel CPUs to support 4K Netflix.

    1. Actually, the Core-i3-5005U does support H.265 hardware decoding, all Intel iGPU’s have this since the 5th generation. not the best for it and just meets the minimum requirements but it does support it at 29-30fps and even 1080p HEVC. so Netflix should work fine but 4k, not so sure.

      1. Wasn’t it Broadwell that only had partial/hybrid h.265 decoding, and 8-bit only ?

        They used drivers that used a combination of software and hardware decoding (only shifting some, but not all, of the h.265 decoding to the GPU, with the CPU still having to do significant amounts) ISTR these drivers were also Windows only and never ported to Linux?

        Skylake was the first generation to offer full h.265 8-bit (but was still partial/hybrid for 10-bit) with Kaby Lake being the first architecture with full 10-bit h.265 decode and encode in hardware…

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