MINIX Neo N42C-4 Mini-PC Review: A Palm-Sized Quad-Core With Windows 10 Pro
MINIX Neo N42C-4 Remote Desktop, Streaming, And Power
The MINIX Neo N42C-4 is also a good candidate for thin-client applications, or for remote controlling other systems, or even streaming games from another PC using Steam In-Home Streaming.
Based on our experience with the Intel Compute Stick, which features similar low-power hardware, we weren't expecting any issues in these scenarios. We can report that the MINIX Neo N42C-4 worked perfectly using Windows' built-in Remote Desktop tool and other remote support tools like TeamViewer 13. Accessing a higher-end system remotely from the MINIX Neo N42C-4 shouldn't be a problem at all. In this scenario pictured above, the MINIX Neo N42C-4 is connected to a 4K display and remotely connected to another PC, which is connected to a 1080p display. This setup worked perfectly, without issues.
We also tested the MINIX Neo N42C-4 with Steam’s in-home streaming with decent results. At resolutions up to 1080P, the MINIX Neo N42C-4 had no trouble streaming games to an HDTV, while it was roughly 15-feet away from a Netgear Nighthawk X6 router, connected wirelessly via 802.11ac. Using a wired connection improved the consistency and input lag noticeably, however. The MINIX Neo N42C-4 may not have the horsepower to natively run today's latest games, but it can stream them from a more-powerful system via Steam's in-home streaming feature without a problem.

We also have some power consumption numbers to share. We monitored power consumption in a variety of scenarios and saw the MINIX Neo N42C-4 use between 3 and 15 watts of power. The low-power hardware in this device virtually sips current. Unless the machine is being heavily taxed, sub 10 watts consumption is the norm.
Based on our experience with the Intel Compute Stick, which features similar low-power hardware, we weren't expecting any issues in these scenarios. We can report that the MINIX Neo N42C-4 worked perfectly using Windows' built-in Remote Desktop tool and other remote support tools like TeamViewer 13. Accessing a higher-end system remotely from the MINIX Neo N42C-4 shouldn't be a problem at all. In this scenario pictured above, the MINIX Neo N42C-4 is connected to a 4K display and remotely connected to another PC, which is connected to a 1080p display. This setup worked perfectly, without issues.
We also tested the MINIX Neo N42C-4 with Steam’s in-home streaming with decent results. At resolutions up to 1080P, the MINIX Neo N42C-4 had no trouble streaming games to an HDTV, while it was roughly 15-feet away from a Netgear Nighthawk X6 router, connected wirelessly via 802.11ac. Using a wired connection improved the consistency and input lag noticeably, however. The MINIX Neo N42C-4 may not have the horsepower to natively run today's latest games, but it can stream them from a more-powerful system via Steam's in-home streaming feature without a problem.

We also have some power consumption numbers to share. We monitored power consumption in a variety of scenarios and saw the MINIX Neo N42C-4 use between 3 and 15 watts of power. The low-power hardware in this device virtually sips current. Unless the machine is being heavily taxed, sub 10 watts consumption is the norm.