Mini PCs are back in fashion, probably thanks to Apple’s hard push for the Mac mini and the new Mac Studio boxes. With more advanced hardware, these small desktops have become quite capable these days, sometimes supporting even a bit of gaming if you keep your expectations low. At the very least, they are well-suited not just for “regular” computer work but also for some media streaming and content consumption on the side.
With this market getting more crowded, it’s not really surprising to see a few unique designs pop up out of nowhere. Some simply carry an unusual aesthetic, often appealing to fans of cyberpunk themes, while others dare to explore new ground like modular designs. Still, others seem to be content with adding odd features just for the sake of turning heads, even when it might not make that much sense in actual use.
Designer: Kidwants
Although some now have unconventional shapes, including pyramids and cylinders, the most common shape for a mini PC is a box. It’s space efficient both inside and out, so you can easily cram it almost anywhere or even hide it from view. The KN1 mini PC, however, isn’t meant to be hidden since its biggest gimmick is the top of the box which is actually a giant touchpad.
Yes, this mini PC is telling you to pinch, swipe, and tap its top just as you would on, say a laptop. In theory, this would mean that you only need to connect an external display and a keyboard to use this computer, removing the need for a mouse. Suggested use cases include controlling playback if you’re using it as a home entertainment center, or controlling presentations in a meeting.
In practice, however, the feature is pretty pointless and even counterproductive. Given the height of the mini PC and where you’d place it on your desk, it would hardly be comfortable, much less ergonomic, to use it this way. And if you’ll be hooking it up to your TV, chances are you have it placed somewhere out of reach anyway. And can you even imagine touching that surface and only burning yourself because the mini PC has become too hot to touch?
In terms of specs, the KN1 isn’t exactly that noteworthy either, as what you’d expect from a cheap mini PC from an unknown brand. And cheap it is, at only $110, though you might be better off spending that money more wisely elsewhere. A built-in touchpad on a mini PC might sound interesting at first brush, but it’s definitely a case of designing something just for the sake of being different, without offering actual value to the user.
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