In-depth test: ECS LIVA Z7 Plus
A spectral mini PC that can only be found in reviews.
The ECS LIVA Z7 Plus, a mini PC that promised to be a continuation of the LIVA series, will not be available for sale. This model, which was set to replace the Z5 Plus, had been showcased at Computex, standing out for its powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor with 14 cores and 18 threads, as well as the ability to support up to 96GB of RAM and storage through two M.2 NVMe slots.
However, the company ECS has decided to withdraw the Z7 Plus from its product line, and while no clear reason has been provided, it is speculated that performance issues may have been a significant factor. Although the machine would have had advantages such as USB 4.0 compatibility and a solid port configuration, speed problems indicate that not everything was aligned in this unit.
Initially, details about the cost and availability were uncertain, and it quickly disappeared from the manufacturer's website, which now states that it is "no longer for sale." This was disappointing following its launch in May 2024.
Regarding its design, the LIVA Z7 Plus featured a metal chassis with relatively easy access to its interior, facilitating memory and storage upgrades. However, the inclusion of a second M.2 slot limited to 2242 could restrict expansion options.
In terms of features, the combination of the processor with the Intel Arc graphics offered an improvement in graphics compared to previous generations, though it was not expected to handle graphically intensive tasks exceptionally well. The limitation in the number of PCIe channels may have contributed to overall performance being lower compared to competitors like the Minisforum UH125 Pro, which utilized the same processor but in a larger chassis, allowing for better cooling and possibly higher boost voltages.
Ultimately, the situation is peculiar since a company like ECS showed interest in launching the Z7 Plus but abruptly stopped before its official release. This leaves the future of this model in question and whether the performance issues that led to its cancellation will be resolved.