At a Glance:
- Pros: High performance for various tasks, ample storage expansion, extensive connectivity, and a sleek compact design.
- Cons: Intrusive fan noise, suboptimal Wi-Fi reception, somewhat pricey.
- Our Verdict: A sleek and high-performing mini-PC marred by persistent fan noise, the Asus Expert Center PN53 shines in design and functionality but falls short of acoustic perfection.
Asus’s Expert Center PN53 stands out as a compact powerhouse, boasting a modest form factor while delivering surprising CPU, GPU, and connectivity capabilities. Its ability to accommodate storage upgrades adds to its appeal. However, the constant and sometimes loud hissing from the cooling system presents a notable drawback, preventing an unequivocal recommendation.
Despite Asus’s reputation for catering to home users, media professionals, and gamers, the Expert Center series targets business users. The PN53, with its unassuming matte black exterior, compact dimensions, and functional design, discreetly blends into office setups without sacrificing performance.
The mini-PC’s connectivity is impressive, featuring a range of USB ports, including a fast USB 4 Type C with DisplayPort support on the front and multiple USB-A and HDMI 2.1 ports at the back. However, the Wi-Fi 6 standard, while theoretically capable of gigabit speeds, exhibits subpar reception, providing stable but not optimal performance.
Powered by the 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS and Radeon 680M graphics, the PN53 delivers consistent high performance for various tasks, from office work to light gaming. Unfortunately, the active fan cooling, while effectively maintaining temperature levels, introduces a constant and intrusive noise, particularly under heavy workloads.
The mini-PC’s internals, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, offer satisfactory performance without an immediate need for upgrades. However, the potential for storage expansion exists, with accessible SO-DIMM slots and PCIe M.2 and 2.5-inch SATA SSD slots. The disassembly process, while requiring caution, allows for user-friendly upgrades.
In conclusion, the Asus Expert Center PN53 strikes a balance between power and size, making it an attractive option for business users. However, the persistent fan noise hinders its recommendation, requiring users to weigh performance against acoustic comfort.
