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Video Review: ECS LIVA Z3

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ECS is a brand known for its quality mini PCs and the latest to roll out of its assembly line is the new LIVA Z3. Compared to the previous releases, ECS has bumped the specification up – the new Z3 now comes in two flavours when it comes to processing power. You get to choose between an Intel Pentium or Celeron processor.

Our review sample came equipped with the Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, running at a clock speed of 1.1-GHz:

Inside the box, you get the ECS Liva Z3, along with a quick guide, the power adapter and its cable, a VESA mount, and a pouch with six screws.

The overall size of the Liva Z3 is extremely compact and it also retains the ability to be mounted to a monitor or television with its VESA mount, as mentioned earlier. In terms of IO ports, you get lots of choices. These include three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, a power button, and four built-in microphones on the front.

On both the left and right sides of the device, you get the heat dissipation vents, which is very useful to cool down the device since the Liva Z3 is a fanless mini PC. On the rear of the device, you get an HDMI 2.0 port, a mini DisplayPort, a Gigabit LAN port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a power port.

Since the ECS Liva Z3 comes with an HDMI 2.0 port, it is capable of displaying 4K content at a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The Liva Z3 also comes with 128GB of SSD storage – you can also install extra M.2 SSDs by opening up the device. In addition, it also offers 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is also expandable up to 16GB. Graphics meanwhile is handled by Intel UHD Graphics.

You will find all the instructions to open up the device and upgrade it, in the quick guide included in the package. In terms of wireless connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 802.11ax and Bluetooth 4.2. Wi-Fi 802.11ax offers higher connection speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Setting up the Liva Z3 takes no time. Once you get past the initial Windows 10 setup, you can get quickly to start using the device. The Liva Z3 can also be upgraded to Windows 11, however, for this review, we chose to stay with Windows 10.

The overall design and build quality is quite top-notch. In terms of performance, the ECS Liva Z3 does the job quite efficiently when it comes to day-to-day office jobs. In order to gauge the operating temperature of the Liva Z3, we used Core Temp to score it.

During our review process, we saw that the maximum temperature of the ECS Liva Z3 was around 82-degrees, while the minimum operating temperature was around 58-degrees, which is quite acceptable for a fanless mini PC. YouTube streaming in 4K worked really well and the ECS Liva Z3 was able to handle all workloads we threw at it, with aplomb.

During our review process, we did not find any lag or stutter, when using multiple apps. Everything worked well, whether it was creating documents or spreadsheets, image editing, watching movies, or even rendering videos using DaVinci Resolve 17. While the Liva Z3 isn’t made for heavier workloads, it did handle all of it quite charmingly.

The ECS Liva Z3 is an ultra-small form factor mini PC that saves up lots of desk space. It is also extremely power efficient, offers great build quality, is upgradable, and operates quietly. A key feature of the mini PC is that it comes with an HDMI 2.0 port and a mini DisplayPort, which lets you use the Liva Z3 as a central console of your home theater setup, too. The ECS Liva Z3 thus comes across as a highly recommended mini PC!

Pricing Details
LIVA Z3:
N6000/RAM 4G/EMMC 128G/No OS – $239.
LIVA Z3: N6000/RAM 4G/EMMC 128G/with Windows 10 Pro – $269

BUY THE ECS LIVA Z3 NOW

Contact Details
Email: sales_ims@ecs.com.tw
Enquire Now!

ECS LIVA Z3 $239 onwards
  • Final Rating
4

Summary

The overall size of the Liva Z3 is extremely compact and it also retains the ability to be mounted to a monitor or television with its VESA mount, as mentioned earlier. In terms of IO ports, you get lots of choices. These include three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, the power button, and four built-in microphones on the front

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Computex

Acer to Unveil AI-Powered Laptops, Smart Wearables, and Gaming Gear at COMPUTEX 2025

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Ahead of Computex, Acer has made a series of announcements detailing its new and upcoming AI-powered devices, including laptops, desktops, wearables, and e-mobility solutions. For gamers, Acer unveiled the Predator Triton 14 AI gaming laptop, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU. Acer highlights its use of graphene thermal interface materials (TIM) in the CPU, which it says is an industry first for laptops, aimed at improving cooling. The Predator Helios Neo 14 AI, with similar specifications, was also announced, alongside the Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktop, equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and the same NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU found in the laptops.

The Predator Triton 14 AI is set to launch in EMEA in July, with a starting price of EUR 2,999. The Predator Helios Neo 14 AI will start at EUR 1,699, and the Predator Orion 3000 desktop will be available in EMEA for EUR 1,099. Acer’s more budget-friendly Swift lineup also received updates with the introduction of the Swift X 14 AI and Swift X 14 AI Creator laptops. Both models are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, emphasizing their AI capabilities and graphics performance. The Swift 14 AI is a Copilot PC, utilizing AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors, while the Swift X 14 AI Creator features Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2). Both laptops boast 3K OLED displays and haptic touchpads. These Swift AI laptops are slated for a July release in EMEA, with a starting price of EUR 1,799.

In the thin and light category, Acer showcased the Swift Edge and Swift Go AI Copilot+ laptops. The Swift Go AI, constructed with a magnesium-aluminum chassis, weighs just 0.99 kilograms and claims up to 21 hours of battery life. It will be offered in 14-inch and 16-inch versions, with the latter promising 16 hours of battery life. All three Swift laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors and are “eligible to receive updates to Copilot+ PO experiences.”

The Swift Edge is expected to arrive in EMEA in June, starting at EUR 1,599. The Swift Go 16 AI will have a starting price of EUR 1,200, while the 14-inch version will start at EUR 1,199. The Aspire series also sees new AI Copilot+ laptops with the Aspire 14 AI and Aspire 16 AI, offering configurations with either Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen processors and Intel Arc graphics.

Acer also introduced new Predator and Nitro gaming and smart monitors. Highlights include the Predator X27U F5, featuring a 500 Hz refresh rate, and the Predator X27 X, with 4K resolution. Both support AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology. Additionally, the company announced the Acer Nitro GA321QK P and Nitro GA341CUR W0 Google TV smart monitors, and the Acer Nitro PG271K, a 4K portable monitor with a kickstand.

Expanding into the wearables market, Acer unveiled the Acer FreeSense ring, designed for 24/7 biometric tracking and “AI-driven wellness insights.” The company also announced the Acer AI Transbuds, capable of real-time, two-way voice translation for 15 major languages, even when used by only one person.

Acer is also entering the e-mobility sector, showcasing new e-scooters and e-bikes for urban commuting and outdoor use. The lineup includes the Acer eScooter Series 4 Select, Series 5 Select, Predator ES Storm, and Predator ES Thunder, all equipped with 400W to 500W motors, adaptive braking, and suspension systems. The Acer eMobility App will allow riders to track performance and manage security settings. The Predator eRanger, a fat-tire e-bike previously shown at the 2025 Taipei Cycle Show, was also on display.

Acer has not yet released pricing details for its wearables or e-mobility devices.

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Gadgets

Nothing Phone 3: Leaks Hint at Flagship Qualcomm Processor

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After releasing two mid-range phones earlier this year, Nothing is now gearing up to launch a flagship model. The company’s CEO, Carl Pei, has already confirmed that the Nothing Phone 3 will launch in Q3 this year, costing around $1,000. However, Nothing has remained tight-lipped about other details. That changes today, as we finally have some information about the highly anticipated device.

According to a new leak, the Nothing Phone 3 is codenamed “Metroid” and has the model number A024. These details have previously been spotted in certification listings of an upcoming Nothing device in the GSM database and the Bureau of Indian Standards. Additionally, the leak (via Smartprix) suggests that the device could feature a flagship Snapdragon chipset, likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite, given Nothing’s ongoing partnership with Qualcomm.

Sources familiar with Nothing’s plans have reportedly said that the Nothing Phone 3 will sport a flagship-grade triple camera system, consisting of a large primary sensor and a better periscope zoom lens than the one on the Phone 3a Pro. The flagship device is also rumoured to pack a substantial battery, possibly larger than the 5,000mAh battery offered on other Nothing and CMF phones.

Based on the launch timeline Carl Pei shared last month, the Nothing Phone 3 is expected to hit the shelves sometime this July. However, even though the phone will likely hit the shelves after the stable Android 16 release, it’s expected to run Nothing OS 3.2 based on Android 15 at launch.

Reports suggest Nothing could offer the device at a cheaper price in the Indian market. Although Carl Pei has already confirmed that the Phone 3 will cost around $1,000, the device may be priced under $650 in India. The lower price could make the phone an instant hit in the region, especially since it’s expected to offer top-tier hardware.

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Audio Devices

Dual Driver Audio and Noise-free Clear Calls, HUAWEI FreeBuds 6 are Mid-range Earbuds with Premium Chops

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Huawei is making a bold new statement with the FreeBuds 6. These open-fit earbuds promise a rich tapestry of notes and immersive bass with an open-fit design, all made possible thanks to an innovative dual-driver system. But what strikes the notes is not just the sound itself. The striking new design and the incredibly impressive call clarity launches these new earbuds to the top spot in the market.

Being the first open-fit earbuds to incorporate a dual-driver unit is no small accomplishment. Huawei has evidently grappled with the conundrum of fitting a sophisticated dual-driver architecture into a compact, lightweight form factor. The payoff is a remarkable, earbuds that are notably smaller than many conventional in-ear earbuds but sound unreal.

Their approach has been meticulous. It stacks high and low frequency dual-magnetic high-sensitivity driver units in a small space. The acoustic system is designed to work independently for a pure, distortion-free sound quality. Bolstering the low-end frequencies is a dedicated booming bass system powered by an 11mm dual-magnetic driver unit augmented by the new Bass Turbo 2.0 technology. The UHF planar diaphragm driver has a wider high-frequency range and can reach 48 kHz. Each unit operates in tandem, each focusing on its optimal frequency band to deliver a cohesive and high-definition acoustic experience.

Beyond music, Huawei has placed a strong emphasis on call quality, especially in challenging environments. The FreeBuds 6 introduce a Voice Pick-up Unit bone conduction microphone. This works to deliver highly accurate voice recognition, isolating your speech even amidst a cacophony. This allows for crystal-clear audio calling even with wind speeds up to 8m/s. So, whether you’re on a blustery commute, cycling through the city, or navigating a bustling airport terminal, both you and the person on the other end will be able to have clear communication without unwelcome interruptions. Adding a touch of convenient innovation, the FreeBuds 6 also support head movement interaction, allowing users to answer or reject calls by simply nodding or shaking their head.

One of the inherent trade-offs with open-fit earbuds is often a lack of noise isolation compared to their sealed in-ear counterparts. However, the FreeBuds 6 are capable of reducing external noise interference in everyday settings like offices, cafes, parks, and squares. This allows users to immerse themselves in music or focus fully on their calls, while balancing between situational awareness and focused listening.

The design of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 6 is both fashionable and functional, featuring a curved water droplet shape. This smooth, streamlined design is engineered for an ergonomic fit across a wide range of ear shapes. The stem’s thickness gradient ensures both smoothness and comfort, while the handle maintains the graceful droplet shape, making them unique and recognisable. Compared to previous editions, each FreeBuds 6 earbud stem is reportedly 9% lighter and 12% smaller, making them feel feather-light on the ears and suitable for all-day use.

Battery life is a crucial factor for any wireless earbuds. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 6 boast a superb all-day power capacity, offering up to a whopping 36 hours of music playback with the charging case. For those in a hurry, a quick 5-minute charge is said to provide 2.5 hours of music playback, easily enough to cover an intercity commute.

The FreeBuds 6 present a compelling package, particularly for those who prioritise comfort and call quality without wanting to be completely sealed off from their surroundings. The FreeBuds 6 provide a good middle ground for users who want to stay aware of their environment while still enjoying audio immersion.

– Partner Content

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