PC
Review: ECS LIVA Q1D Mini PC

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) is known for pocket-sized mini PCs and the company has been bringing these innovative products to the market for years now. The company recently launched its new LIVA Q1D mini PC to meet the growing demand of stay-at-home application for those studying and working from home during the current COVID-19 situation.

The ECS LIVA Q1D is palm sized and is also suitable for applications such as digital signage, thin-client or Terminal applications in versatile use-cases. And since the LIVA Q1D can be VESA mounted behind a compatible monitor, you can also used it for indoor applications in facilities such as schools or libraries, healthcare, hospitality, business, and retail.

The Mini PC itself is available with a choice of Intel Pentium/Celeron processors, and a choice of 32GB or 64GB eMMC storage. eMMC storage means that the storage chip is embedded or soldered directly onto the mini PC’s motherboard.

Under the hood, our review unit came with Intel’s Pentium N4200 quad-core SoC, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of EMMC storage. The N4200 processor from Intel meanwhile runs at 1.1-2.5 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi-Core Burst max 2.4 GHz) and is based on the Apollo Lake platform.

Similar to the Braswell predecessor, the chip is manufactured in a 14 nm process (P1273) with FinFETs. Besides four CPU cores, the chip also includes a DirectX 12 capable GPU as well as a DDR3L/LPDDR3/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual-channel, up to 1866/2400 MHz).

You also get a MicroSD slot to expand the internal storage capacity. The LIVA Q1 series also supports connectivity standards such as Bluetooth 4.1 and 802.11ac. The Mini PC also features Intel HD Graphics 500/505 that offers support for 4K videos playback. The LIVA Q1 series has also been designed with a cooling fan inside it, to keep the system cool and stabilised.

In terms of connectivity, you get lots of choices such as two USB 3.1 Gen1, one USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, and Gigabit LAN. Besides HDMI, LIVA Q1D also comes with a DisplayPort in case you want to use a dual screen setup with this mini PC. The ECS LIVA Q1D Mini PC is available with and without the OS – our review unit was already configured with Windows 10 as the OS.

Setting up the device was a walk in the park. Connect the power adapter, plugin the HDMI cable and you are good to go. The ECS LIVA Q1D Mini PC is so small that you will barely notice it when placed on your work desk. The device is powerful enough to run all day to day computing apps including internet browsing and using apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

The ECS LIVA Q1D Mini PC is available at a price of $350 (AED 1300) with Windows 10 OS. For that price point you are getting a palm sized mini PC that can power your daily computing needs, does not require lots of desk space, and is very light and portable.

If you are on the market for a PC that is budget-friendly and can handle most day to day computing jobs, the ECS LIVA Q1D Mini PC is something you could look at.
Price: $350 (AED 1300) with Windows 10 OS. $290 (AED 1,070) without the OS.

Gadgets
ASUS Launches ProArt P16 with RTX 50 Series

ASUS has unveiled the refreshed ProArt P16 (H7606WP), engineered for a new generation of creative graduates ready to shape the future. With graduation season in full swing across the UAE, thousands of students are stepping into the next chapter of their lives—turning passion into profession. Whether you’re a Gen Z content creator, professional animator, or 3d designer, the ProArt P16 is designed to match your ambition with power, portability, and precision.
Wrapped in a minimalist and luxurious chassis, it combines high-performance components with AI-enhanced tools, helping young professionals create, design, and deliver anywhere. Powered by the next-gen AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with up to 50 TOPS NPU performance and paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, the refreshed ProArt P16 is ASUS’s flagship AI-powered laptop for creators in 2025. Alongside this launch, ASUS also introduces the V500 Mini Tower (V500MV)—a compact desktop PC tailored for home and office productivity and light creative work.
ProArt P16 Refresh
The ProArt P16 is your ultimate creative companion, blending portability with powerhouse performance. At just 14.9 mm thin and 1.85 kg light, it’s perfect for graduates and professionals on the move. Designed for content creators, designers, and digital artists, it features AI-powered tools, studio-grade visuals, and unmatched performance. With an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor (50 TOPS NPU) and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, it accelerates rendering, editing, and effects. The 4K OLED touchscreen (100% DCI-P3, Delta E < 1, PANTONE validated) ensures stunning color accuracy.
Exclusive ASUS AI apps like StoryCube and MuseTree streamline organization and ideation, while Copilot+ PC features offer real-time AI assistance for smarter workflows. Built for durability, it boasts military-grade toughness, a long-lasting battery, and versatile I/O ports. NVIDIA Studio-validated and ISV-certified for top creative apps like Adobe Creative Cloud and DaVinci Resolve, the ProArt P16 is ready to bring every creative vision to life—from graduation projects to professional commissions.
ASUS V500 Mini Tower
ASUS introduces the V500 Mini Tower (V500MV)—a compact, efficient desktop PC designed for students and young professionals setting up their first creative workspace at home. It features options for Intel Core i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, and dual storage capability. With enhanced airflow, a clean design, and quiet operation, the V500 is perfect for light creative workflows, multitasking, and productivity. The V500 Mini Tower is available exclusively via Sharaf DG and the ASUS eShop in the UAE.
The refreshed ASUS ProArt P16 (H7606WP) is now available at leading retailers across the UAE and on the ASUS Middle East eShop priced at AED 14,999. In celebration of graduation season, ASUS is offering an exclusive 20% discount on warranty upgrades for purchases made on the eShop before May 31—unlocking the full creative power of the GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU for the next generation of professionals. The new V500 Mini Tower (V500MV) is available exclusively at Sharaf DG and the ASUS eShop priced at AED 2,699, ideal for students and professionals looking for a space-saving PC for productivity and light creative use.
Gadgets
ASUS Launches Compact ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower

ASUS has unveiled the ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower (P500MV), a high-performance desktop designed to deliver exceptional value, efficiency, and security for small businesses. Powered by the latest Intel Core i7 processors and featuring an advanced ASUS Tower Air Cooler, the P500MV outperforms competitors by up to 30% while reducing energy consumption by 38%.
The ExpertCenter P500 maximizes productivity with a 95W TDP thermal design, enabling smooth multitasking and demanding workloads. Its revolutionary cooling system—with three 6.7mm heat pipes and a large 9cm fan—boasts a 3,402 cm² heat-dissipation area (4X larger than conventional PCs), ensuring stable performance even under heavy use. At just 24dB in quiet mode, it operates silently while saving energy.
Security is a top priority with ASUS ExpertGuardian, offering:
✔ NIST SP 800-155-compliant BIOS
✔ 5+ years of BIOS & driver updates
✔ TPM 2.0 encryption & Kensington lock
✔ 1-year McAfee+ Premium subscription
The P500 Mini Tower integrates ASUS AI ExpertMeet, enhancing virtual meetings with:
🔹 AI Meeting Minutes – Auto-summarizes key discussion points
🔹 Real-Time Translated Subtitles – Breaks down language barriers
🔹 Smart Noise Reduction – Ensures crystal-clear audio
For graphics-intensive tasks, an optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU delivers high-end visuals. The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower will be available in GCC markets starting May 2025.
Gadgets
CORSAIR Unveils VENGEANCE Gaming PCs Featuring GeForce RTX 50 Series

CORSAIR has announced the launch of its latest VENGEANCE Gaming PCs, featuring the groundbreaking NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, paired with Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen 9000 Series processors. Designed to deliver unparalleled performance for gamers and creators, these systems are powered by NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture, bringing cutting-edge AI capabilities, next-level graphics fidelity, and revolutionary features like full ray tracing, Reflex 2 technology, and NVIDIA DLSS for enhanced performance and reduced latency.
The new VENGEANCE PCs are NVIDIA NIM-ready RTX AI PCs, supporting the latest NIM microservices for optimized AI models in language, speech, vision, and content generation. This makes them ideal for developers and enthusiasts looking to build AI-driven tools, productivity plugins, and innovative creative workflows with peak efficiency.
To meet the demanding power requirements of the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, CORSAIR has equipped these systems with its high-quality power supplies, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and longevity. Additionally, each VENGEANCE PC features CORSAIR’s advanced AIO Liquid CPU coolers, delivering ultra-quiet, high-performance cooling with dynamic RGB lighting. The systems also come with the latest DDR5 memory, offering faster speeds, greater capacities, and improved performance.
Available in a range of high-performance cases—2500X, 3500X, and 5000T—the VENGEANCE PCs are designed for exceptional airflow and cooling. They feature CORSAIR’s AirGuide technology and magnetic dome bearings in their fans, ensuring optimized airflow, quiet operation, and long-lasting performance. Whether you’re gaming with stunning graphics, exploring creative workflows, or pushing the boundaries of AI innovation, the VENGEANCE Gaming PCs are built to deliver an exceptional experience.
The new CORSAIR VENGEANCE Gaming PCs with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs are now available in North America through the CORSAIR webstore and authorized retailers. Each system is backed by a two-year warranty and supported by CORSAIR’s global customer service and technical support network.
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