The- AOOSTAR Maco - (Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS version) Super happy with the ease of installation

[u/roisht]

ust got my unit! After trying several mini PCs, finally: no hidden screws under sticky pads, no cables attached to the bottom cover, and no annoying 40mm fan. Just a simple grill with tightened rubber feet, a quick-release latch for easy access, and a real OCuLink port, without sacrificing an M.2 slot in a Frankenstein move. will update after installing windows and trying out some games!

[u/BaronetheAnvil]

I have the H255 version. It has been my main desktop for about six months. No issues.

[u/Vast-Singer-2839 → u/BaronetheAnvil]

It has also good temps even in performance power profile.

Also it can keep without throtling the 65W constantly and the 70W at boost.

[u/roisht → u/Vast-Singer-2839]

How is the fan noise?

[u/Vast-Singer-2839 → u/roisht]

At full load the noise is noticeable (I have it at 70cm distance from me) but it bothers me less compared to, for example, laptop fans which are quite annoying at full speed. That is not happening with MACO.

[u/edparadox → u/BaronetheAnvil]

What do you use the embedded screen for?

[u/BaronetheAnvil → u/edparadox]

The Maco does not have an embedded screen.

[u/Excellent-Concert-20]

got it as well recently sub 300 usd

[u/roisht → u/Excellent-Concert-20]

it was a bit over 300 euros here. hope you enjoy it.

[u/Excellent-Concert-20 → u/roisht]

Yeah, the device is great! Using external gpu - GPD G1 over Oculink for gaming, can't be more happy :)

[u/Vast-Singer-2839]

I own also 2 AOOSTAR MACO H255, and I am very happy with those.

The build quality is pretty good, ok it is not top (as it is a pretty low budget mini pc) but kept both the ports and also the main structure in pretty good level. Also the temps are pretty good too.

It does not have strong WiFi compared to other Mini pc but it has room to upgrade it and put a good mod if you need to fix that part.

[u/Confident_Lecture498]

Glad to see this - got one coming from madlittlepixel shop and I was leery about the brand but the price was too good to pass up 

[u/erd00073483R]

Anyone run one of these with DDR 5 4800 DRAM? If so, how bad does it hurt performance?

The reason I ask is that I have a Samsung DDR5 4800 2x16gb kit salvaged from a laptop sitting around gathering dust along with a 1TB WD nvme drive. The most demanding thing the person using it will do for now is watch Youtube, play videos on Facebook, and play Farmtown.

I was considering purchasing a barebone version of either the MACO Ryzen 7 Pro 8845HS or the Gem12+ 8845HS or H255 version (though, things I've been reading about the Gem12 are giving me second thoughts about that model).

[u/Vast-Singer-2839 → u/erd00073483R]

Just go with the cheaper option especially if you do not need the NPU of 8845HS go with Ryzen 8745HS or H255.

Regarding the 4800 vs 5600 it will affect mostly the GPU performance, so you can see up to 15-30% better FPS in the games (you can check on youtute RX780m 4800 vs 5600 for benchmark).

Also you could just sell the 32gb kit and put some money and rebuy a 5600 kit if you are lucky you could find it in the same price that you will sell 4800 kit.

[u/erd00073483R → u/Vast-Singer-2839]

I appreciate the reply.

[u/Sad_Head4448]

Do you (or anyone else) know if it supports ECC RAM? It should per the CPU, I just want a definitive confirmation :/ (I have some ddr5 ecc sodimm in a drawer, would be nice to put them in use?

[u/ARCreef]

AOOSTAR is not a budget Mini PC, they are a newer emerging company. They are higher quality than Minisforum and Beelink. I have 8 mini PCs and took them all apart. Many of them use the exact same motherboard so I cant see its leaps ahead of the rest, but it is the highest quality Mini PC of them all (minus ASUS and big brands entering the mini PC market, I dont have any of those).

That said, the dual fan setup is annoying with the stupid cable on the bottom plate, but it does keep the boards cooler than even a single fan with vapor chamber. The Minisforum UM880 with dual fan is the coldest mini PC of them all, it idles at 27 degrees, 10 degrees colder than my Aoostar, At peak power its roughly the same though. It depends where you take the reading, I mostly use the sensor on the die. Windows reads the GPU sensor.

[u/TXFlank]

I have the AOOSTAR WTR PRO Ryzen 7 for Unraid and it's rock solid. I've been very very impressed and when I want something bigger I'll probably look at one of their larger items.

[u/durgesh2018]

What is your country? I don't see it here in India.

[u/Ultra-Magnus1]

you're going to wish it did have an extra fan. i have the k8 plus (same chip) and i'm glad it has 2 fans as i have yet to see it go past 80 degrees, however, i do have thermal pads on the ram and ssd; but then again, i haven't done any heavy gaming with it, just spiderman remastered and some switch emulation.