Even though it looks more like one smartphone – or even one Hard Drive – the Windows 11-powered Zepan RY-P1 is actually a mini PC that will soon become a reality after reaching its crowdfunding goal.
Called a “true mobile office” by its makers, this lightweight device weighs just 140 grams – about the same as a rice ball. It also features surprisingly slim dimensions of 122 x 63 x 10mm, which is smaller than the 6.1-inch Apple iPhone 15 which itself measures 148 x 72 x 7.8 mm.
The makers of the RY-P1 have done that raised more than $43,000 at the time of writing, which is 3,200% more than their original crowdfunding goal, meaning this mini PC will ship in December 2023.
Pocket-sized computing
Zepan’s RY-P1 mini PC is somewhere in the entry-level camp, but given its astonishing size you can hardly complain.
It is equipped with an Intel J4125 CPU and Intel UHD Graphics 600, complemented by 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB SSD storage. The device also supports Bluetooth 5.1 and WiFi 6and supports outputs up to 4K at 60 Hz.
It includes a USB-C, USB 2.0 and microSD card slot. But with an expansion dock, users can take advantage of four additional ports, including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB-C, as well as HDMI.
“In recent years, opportunities to work outside the home, such as during business trips or workdays, have increased, but many people may have difficulty managing important company and personal files,” according to a Google-supported translation of the Greenfunding page Company. . “Laptops are heavy and you cannot take external hard drives with you.
“That is why the minicomputer RY-P1 that we are introducing this time has been developed with an emphasis on ‘compactness’. After work at the office, you can easily put it in your pocket and take it with you on a business trip or teleworking. Unlike external hard drives, it eliminates the need for cumbersome data transfers, so you can boot up and get started quickly anytime, anywhere. RY-P1 is truly a mobile office.”
Interestingly, Zepan is also shipping this device to some backers with a complementary one portable tablet size display in which the mini PC can be neatly placed. This means it could only be a matter of time before we see compatible smartphone-sized touchscreen displays, turning the RY-P1 into a full-fledged Windows 11 smartphone.