As of: February 1, 2024, 4:04 p.m
By: Ömer Kayali
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Despite their compact size, mini PCs pack a lot of power.
© PantherMedia
Mini PCs are small, fit anywhere and are still very powerful.
This article shows the most important differences to the standard desktop.
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For most people, the choice is a desktop PC or laptop.
Mini PCs are currently still a marginal phenomenon, but more and more computer users are turning to the compact devices.
The obvious difference from traditional desktops is the size.
A mini PC is much smaller and lighter, which is why it is easier to transport and also takes up little space in the home office.
But can't you just get a laptop?
Mini PCs: What are the most important features?
Mini PCs have several advantages and disadvantages.
The most important differences to the desktop are as follows:
Mobility and size
: As mentioned at the beginning, compactness is the most obvious advantage.
With a mini PC you are more mobile than with a tower PC and, for example, you can move your home office to another room more quickly.
You can also connect the small computer to the television more easily, for example.
Low power consumption
: Another advantage of mini PCs is that they typically use less power than traditional desktop computers.
Because Mini PCs are equipped with fanless processors, noise levels are often lower than traditional desktop computers.
Relatively powerful
: Mini PCs have a surprising amount of power for being so small - but of course they can't keep up with other high-end PCs.
The computing power is usually sufficient for texts, tables, presentations or web surfing without the computer reaching its limits.
Mini PCs are rather unsuitable for gaming or editing pictures or videos.
Low prices
: The purchase costs for mini PCs are also usually lower than for desktops and laptops.
However, this is also because the scope of delivery usually does not include a monitor, mouse or keyboard.
The advantages and disadvantages of mini PCs in a compact overview
:
Advantages of Mini PCs |
Disadvantages of Mini PCs |
|---|---|
✔️ space saving |
❌ unsuitable for gaming and image editing |
✔️ good for office and internet tasks |
❌ Hardware usually cannot be upgraded |
✔️ Lower energy consumption than other PCs |
❌ less performance than high-end PCs |
✔️ relatively cheap |
❌ no active cooling |
✔️ many interfaces |
|
✔️ very quiet |
Who are Mini PCs suitable for?
The small computers are ideal if performance is not the only thing that matters.
They are an option for people who need a computer that is easy to transport and saves space.
Their size and low power consumption make them an attractive alternative.
If you're looking for a small PC for simple tasks and want to spend less money, they're worth considering.
Mini PCs are also interesting for companies
that want to equip their employees with mobile work devices.
This gives them flexibility in the office because they can set up more quickly at another table that already has a monitor, mouse and keyboard.
Mini PCs: Which models are good?
The selection of mini PCs is large.
Some recommended models can be found in the following section.
These performed well in various tests and users are also impressed by the devices listed.
Mini PC Geekom IT11
Mini PC Geekom IT11 © Geekom
Order Geekom IT11 Mini PC now
Price: €649
brand |
Geekom |
|---|---|
operating system |
Windows 11 Pro |
Size |
12x11x5cm |
Weight |
572g |
processor |
11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H |
random access memory |
16 GB |
Storage space |
512GB SSD |
Interfaces |
USB-C |
USB 3.2 |
|
HDMI |
|
Mini display port |
|
3.5mm audio |
|
SD card reader |
|
Ethernet port |
Mini PC CSL X300
Mini PC CSL X300 © CSL Computer
Order Mini PC CSL X300 now
Price: €739 instead of €819 RRP
brand |
CSL computer |
|---|---|
operating system |
Windows 11 Home |
Size |
15x15x7cm |
Weight |
3kg |
processor |
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650G |
random access memory |
16 GB |
Storage space |
1TB SSD |
Interfaces |
USB 3.1 |
USB 3.2 |
|
HDMI |
|
DisplayPort |
|
HD audio |
|
SD card reader |
|
Ethernet port |
Mini PC Apple 2023 Mac Mini
Apple Mac mini M2 © Apple
Order Apple Mac Mini 2023 now
Price: €599 instead of €699 RRP
brand |
Apple |
|---|---|
operating system |
macOS |
Size |
20x20x3.5cm |
Weight |
1.18kg |
processor |
Apple M2 with 8-core CPU |
random access memory |
8GB |
Storage space |
256GB SSD |
Interfaces |
USB-A |
USB Thunderbolt |
|
HDMI |
|
3.5mm audio |
|
Ethernet port |
Mini PC HP Pro Mini 400 G9 6B240EA
HP Pro Mini 400 G9 6B240EA © HP
Order the HP Pro Mini 400 G9 mini PC now
Price: €549.99
brand |
HP |
|---|---|
operating system |
Windows 11 Pro |
Size |
18x17.5x3cm |
Weight |
1.42kg |
processor |
Intel Core i5 12500T |
random access memory |
8GB |
Storage space |
256GB SSD |
Interfaces |
USB 3.2 |
HDMI |
|
Audio |
|
microphone |
|
DisplayPort |
|
Ethernet port |
Mini PC Geekom MiniAir 11
Mini PC Geekom MiniAir 11 © Geekom
Order Mini PC Geekom MiniAir 11 now
Price: €324.95
brand |
Geekom |
|---|---|
operating system |
Windows 11 Pro |
Size |
12x11x4cm |
Weight |
500g |
processor |
Intel Celeron N5095 Quad Core |
random access memory |
8GB |
Storage space |
256GB SSD |
Interfaces |
USB-C |
USB-A |
|
HDMI |
|
Mini DisplayPort |
|
3.5mm audio |
|
SD card reader |
|
Ethernet port |
Mini PCs: Why not just a laptop?
Whether it’s a mini PC or a laptop – you are particularly mobile with both types of computers.
The devices differ from each other in a few ways:
Transport in a bag
: Larger laptops in particular need a suitable bag into which they fit.
Mini PCs fit almost anywhere.
Ports
: Mini PCs are often equipped with a variety of different ports and interfaces.
This makes them a good choice for users who want to connect various devices and accessories - such as headsets or external hard drives.
Power consumption
: Mini PCs generally use less power than laptops because they are usually fanless - which also makes them quieter.
Laptops can also work without being permanently connected to the power supply because they have an integrated battery.
Longer lifespan
: Because mini PCs typically have fewer moving parts than laptops, they are less prone to damage and typically have a longer lifespan.
If you would like to find out more about office notebooks: Here you will find different work laptops in comparison.