LattePanda Iota - Huge Performance Boost in an Ultra-Tiny Desktop PC

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

The video introduces the LattePanda Iota, a small form-factor x86 single-board computer that directly replaces the original LattePanda and delivers up to eight times more performance (0:18).

Key features and upgrades:

  • Processor: Uses the Intel Twin Lake N150 with four cores and four threads, boosting up to 3.6 GHz on a single core (3:09).

  • Memory and storage: Supports up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM with in-band ECC and up to 128 GB of onboard eMMC 5.1 storage (0:59, 3:30).

  • Connectivity: Adds faster USB 3.2 (10 Gbps), USB-C, HDMI 2.1, and a PCIe 3.0 x1 FPC connector for M.2 NVMe SSDs (0:37, 2:10).

  • Expansion: Provides an M.2 E-key slot for Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth or 4G modules, plus optional “hats” such as an M.2 adapter, 4G module, and Smart UPS battery backup (1:05, 2:10).

  • Cooling: Available with either active or passive cooling solutions (1:41, 3:02).

  • Operating system: Supports both Windows and Linux; the reviewed unit comes with Windows 11 preinstalled (3:49).

Performance testing:

  • TDP: Can be configured in the BIOS up to a 20 W TDP, significantly boosting performance over lower power limits (4:22, 6:28).

  • 4K playback: Plays 4K60 HDR YouTube video smoothly with zero dropped frames (8:11).

  • Gaming: Handles lighter and older titles, such as Silksong at 720p 60 FPS, Left 4 Dead 2 at 720p above 60 FPS, and classics like Half-Life 2 and Far Cry (9:19). OG Skyrim runs around 50 FPS at low settings in 720p (9:47).

  • Emulation: The N150 can run Dreamcast, PSP, GameCube (with some struggle at native resolution), and selected PS2 games (10:09).

  • Power consumption: Draws about 3 W at idle, 7 W during 4K video playback, and up to 26 W under combined CPU and iGPU load (10:50).

The video concludes that the LattePanda Iota is well-suited for IoT, maker projects, retro emulation, and low-power PC builds, thanks to its strong performance for the form factor and very low power draw (19:10). The reviewer also plans a follow-up video covering a Linux install on the board.