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I have the n100 model and did a reload of w11 pro. Not all of the drivers exist on the w11 iso, including the network I believe. I used a usb nic for the load if i remember correctly. You can download the drivers from the vendor or directly from the manufacturer of the hardware.
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I did and license was activated without a problem. Neither did I run the factory install at all to "initialize" it--I just wiped the factory install, did a new install of Win 11 24H2, and when it went online for the first time, Win 11 Pro became activated.
There are a few drivers missing from a generic Win 11 install that you have to seek out and load manually to have all the hardware fully detected (like Intel 2.5GB NIC, Realtek RTL8522BE wireless NIC, and a couple of ACPI things). I have this documented--I'll try to post the details later. |
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Ok, so if you do a fresh install of Win 11 2024H2 (like using an ISO sourced from Microsoft), you will have four unknown items in the Device Manager at the end because the drivers are not included in the ISO. The wired and wireless NICs are two of those devices so, unfortunately, you are left unconnected. But you can download the four necessary drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog easily. Then just unzip the CABs onto a USB and bring them over to the G3 Plus for updating. Here are the four drivers with their Hardware IDs, and the links for downloading the CABs at the Microsoft Update Catalog website:
Intel I226-V Ethernet NIC PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_125C&SUBSYS_00008086&REV_04 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/07/1df2b7e8-c6fc-4b8f-b46e-25cf4d3e4a35_fdc6278f1523a260cc580daec812fb176300c877.cab PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_B852&SUBSYS_B85210EC&REV_00 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2025/02/e223d514-d1f0-48f1-9b69-94bcb1738291_b5c8edb4bf731851eb47a58674893093f6cef7b3.cab ACPI\VEN_INTC&DEV_1070 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/11/6d8f0c59-d577-45ec-a0e0-115901aeef77_23bf78a5b1869d923349d395451a3358539441cd.cab ACPI\VEN_INTC&DEV_1057 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/09/f830e3d7-f3ae-48c9-8e90-f60d2a02d98e_c3b3dc96668204ea78d9b8c98635dcfec2f20e7d.cab |
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I opted for 16GB MEM+512GB SSD for $30 more, and received mine last night. Reading all the horror stories about spyware/malware on minipcs from China, I determined to re-install Windows 11 Pro on my machine. Here's some key points that you need to be aware of if you decide to take this route:
Next up: Make a new partition in the SSD to dual-boot Linux. BTW, I did set up the pre-installed Windows 11 Pro without connecting to the network, seeing if I could see the spyware/malware in action. I have to say it looked very clean; I didn't see any suspicious processes or services, or bloatware. I also did the virus scan a couple of times and nothing turned up. If I wasn't killing time while watching Grammys on the side, I probably would have left the pre-installed Windows 11 Pro alone. |
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Thanks for the good info. As an alternative for the NIC drivers can also be downloaded from Intel here:
Intel I226-V Ethernet NIC - https://www.intel.com/content/www...-pack.html Intel Graphics Drivers - https://www.intel.com/content/www...ndows.htm For other Intel Drivers - https://www.intel.com/content/www.../home.html Intel Automatic Drivers Assistant - https://www.intel.com/content/www...etect.htm |
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Anyway, if your goal is retro gaming, a Raspberry Pi is smaller and more energy-efficient for these types of tasks, but honestly, once you add in a case, a good power supply (RPi's are picky with respect to power...), and storage, it is probably at the same price or even more than this $130 machine. But if you are interested in more modern gaming or more powerful emulation, this system would be better and give you more flexibility for future upgrades.
Just saying buyers might want to read up.
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https://a.co/d/1YJ3ZLg
My advice is to assume that it has spyware. Perhaps by a larger SSD (I like Samsung's hard drives the best).
And do I like this device... I think it makes an AMAZING TV box. I find the apps for Microsoft Windows very easy to use as compared to Android. For example MIRC, I can not find a good alternative for android.
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You can run it like an n100 by limiting its clock within the OS, or run it at higher clocks which will consume more energy.
edit: I ordered wrong SSD for the extra storage slot
but GMK will send a 512GB shipped for $39 if you contact them
or this should work, currently cheaper and arrive sooner
M.2 2280 SATA currently $39 + 10% coupon for 512GB, or less for 256GB
https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Comp...B0DKBGS1
external enclosure $5.99
https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Encl...B0BJ24ZX
https://www.amazon.com/HP-EliteDe...B0C23XSVS2 [amazon.com]
Intel i5-4590
onboard Intel HD Graphics 4600
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/comp...-Intel-N97 [cpubenchmark.net]
I think the GMKtec has a U620 graphics processor?
https://technical.city/en/video/U...phics-4600 [technical.city]
https://technical.city/en/video/U...phics-4600
The Alder Lake N is a bit weaker than the UHD 620, but both are significantly better than the HD4600
And as for the i5-4590 CPU, single thread is on par with the N150, but N150 beats it in most multi-threaded tasks
Here is a comparison of the I5-4590 with the N100, and the N150 is slightly faster than the N100
https://www.cpubenchmar
Anyway, if your goal is retro gaming, a Raspberry Pi is smaller and more energy-efficient for these types of tasks, but honestly, once you add in a case, a good power supply (RPi's are picky with respect to power...), and storage, it is probably at the same price or even more than this $130 machine. But if you are interested in more modern gaming or more powerful emulation, this system would be better and give you more flexibility for future upgrades.
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