Meet the ECS Liva Q2 Mini PC
Though a marvel in miniature, the ECS Liva Q2 is a case of a small PC being a little too small.
It's Smaller Than a PC Mouse...
The Liva Q2 measures 1.25 by 2.75 by 2.75 by inches (HWD).
The Overhead Look
Despite its tiny size, the Liva Q2 doesn't feel like a cheap, plastic toy. It's a solidly constructed cube with pleasing, rounded corners.
Q2 From the Front
On the front, you'll find the power button, a USB 3.1 port and a USB 2.0 port. With only two USB ports, you'll need to use a hub or juggle your USB peripherals if you, say, need to connect a hard drive to the system and already have a keyboard and mouse plugged into it.
The Sole Storage Expansion
On the left side, you get a microSD card slot, which you may need to use given the system's meager allotment of storage space (32GB, in our tester).
Dedicated Ethernet, Even?
On the back, an HDMI port and an Ethernet port sit below a large vent that allows the system to stay cool.
Lock Me Down
The only item on the right side is a Kensington lock slot, an important inclusion since the Liva Q2's small size could make it an easy target for thieves.
Q2 Underside
The system sits on four rubber feet, which have at their centers screws to hold the system together. The rubber feet keep the system from sliding around on your desk, but you might also use ECS's included VESA bracket to mount the system behind your display.
Inside the Liva Q2
You can remove the four screws to get inside the Liva Q2, but you'll have little cause to do so.
An Angled View of the Innards
There is no option for upgrades, but you might want to open the system every so often to clean it out, since the cooling fan will pull dust and debris inside the case.
A Marvel of Small, But...
The tiny Liva Q2 is marvel in terms of design, but it's just too small for its own good. To our eyes and ears, moving up in size to the ECS Liva Z2 or a basic Intel NUC is a trade-off worth making.