mini pc ou tour

• Informatique
• Ordinateurs & Composants
• Ordinateur de bureau

Comparatif / 8 ordinateurs testés Avril 2024

C’est sans doute la catégorie d’ordinateurs qui est la plus récente dans l’histoire de l’informatique et elle séduit de plus en plus de monde. Tout petits, peu gourmands en énergie, les mini-ordinateurs sont d’excellents compagnons du quotidien, surtout si vous êtes amateurs de films ou de séries.

En effet, opter pour un mini-ordinateur est souvent la meilleure façon de profiter d'une machine dédiée à la lecture de fichiers vidéo ou audio. Ce genre d'appareil se cache très facilement derrière un écran ou un TV et peut même être emporté très facilement. La miniaturisation des composants a fait d'énormes progrès ces dernières années, à tel point qu'il est possible de profiter d'un environnement informatique complet dans le creux de la main.

Comparer les Mini ordinateurs

Apple Mac Mini (M2)

Apple Mac Mini 2,6 GHz 2014

Intel nuc 7 home nuc7i7bnhxg, apple mac mini 2012, apple mac studio 2022 (m1 ultra 20/64).

Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro (12/19)

Apple mac studio 2023 (m2 max).

Sélectionnez 2 produits à comparer.

Meilleurs mini-PC 2024 : faites de la place sur votre bureau

Avant d'investir dans une nouvelle tour encombrante, envisagez un mini-PC pour obtenir plus de puissance dans moins d'espace.

• Produits en bref

Le meilleur

Pour les petits bureaux

Pour les PME

Le moins cher

Pour le streaming

Pour les gamers

Le meilleur rapport qualité-prix

Le plus sécurisé

Le meilleur PC USB

• En savoir plus sur notre sélection

1. Les produits en bref 2. Le meilleur 3. Pour les petits bureaux 4. Pour les PME 5. Le moins cher 6. Pour le streaming 7. Pour les gamers 8. Le meilleur rapport qualité-prix 9. Le plus sécurisé 10. Le meilleur PC USB 11. En savoir plus sur notre sélection

Si vous recherchez une alternative à un grand boîtier PC, la première configuration matérielle vous venant en tête est généralement celle d'un ordinateur portable ou d'un PC tout-en-un. Mais à la longue, vous risquez d'être déçu par cette conception d'écran rattaché à la machine, car elle limite vos options. Si vous voulez éviter un PC de grande taille, si vous vous sentez contraint par un ordinateur portable ou un tout-en-un et si vous souhaitez en même temps garder votre liberté de choix en matière d'écran, que faire ? Vous pouvez vous orienter vers un mini-PC ou un Mac mini. Les mini-PC peuvent être utilisées avec le moniteur de votre choix et des périphériques classiques tels qu'une webcam. Ils sont discrets, se dissimulent sous votre bureau ou derrière un écran. Malgré leur petite taille, les mini-PC sont aussi fonctionnels et compatibles avec n'importe quel logiciel que les PC traditionnels.

Voici les meilleurs mini-PC de 2024.

Emmanuelle a rejoint l'équipe de TechRadar France en 2022, elle travaille sur la partie guides d'achat. Si vous ne savez plus où donner de la tête, elle saura vous orienter vers le meilleur smartphone ou le meilleur téléviseur en fonction de vos besoin.

Les produits en bref

Vous recherchez une configuration PC compacte mais puissante ? Voici les 9 meilleurs mini-PC de 2024. Pour en lire davantage sur chaque modèle, cliquez sur En savoir plus.

Le Mac mini est le mini-PC le plus puissant, notamment grâce à sa nouvelle puce M2. Il est compact, doté de haut-parleurs intégrés et son prix reste raisonnable.

En savoir plus

Le Dell Optiplex 3090 Micro est idéal si vous hésitez entre un placement vertical ou à plat. Il dispose de ventilateurs silencieux et d'une garantie de 3 ans.

Le Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny M720q est un mini-PC professionnel, prenant la forme d'un boîtier métallique robuste et prenant en charge trois moniteurs.

Le Beelink U59 est un mini-PC extrêmement compact, avec un support VESA inclus, un stockage et une mémoire RAM évolutifs, le tout proposé à un prix très attractif.

Le Chuwi Herobox n'est pas une box TV mais bien un mini-PC. Il est idéal pour les personnes recherchant une machine pour visionner du streaming. Il supporte notamment le format 4K.

Le Intel NUC 11 est un mini-PC très fin, qui intègre un processeur Nvidia discret, une connexion rapide avec la norme WiFi 6E et une belle connectivité.

Charger les 3 produits suivants...

Le GEEKOM Mini IT11 est un mini-PC puissant et très performant, incluant 512 Go de stockage, 16 Go de RAM ainsi qu'un support VESA inclus.

Le mini-PC Protectli Vault FW4B est une machine extrêmement silencieuse, avec une faible consommation d'énergie. Il est également compatible avec le pare-feu Untangle NG Firewall.

Ce PC USB est le plus petit des mini-PC de cette liste. Il fait en effet la taille d'une clé USB. Il est silencieux, dispose d'un WiFi double bande et peut directement se connecter sur votre TV.

Quel mini-PC choisir en 2024 ?

Pourquoi pouvez-vous faire confiance à TechRadar ? Nos examinateurs experts passent des heures à tester et à comparer les produits et services afin que vous puissiez choisir le meilleur pour vous. En savoir plus sur la façon dont nous testons .

Le meilleur mini-PC

1. Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Our expert review:

Caractéristiques techniques

Pourquoi l’acheter, pourquoi attendre.

Le Mac mini (2023) est de loin le meilleur mini PC que vous puissiez acheter à l'heure actuelle. Apple a amélioré son Mac le plus abordable sur tous les plans : il est plus puissant, propose en option une puce M2 Pro encore plus performante et le prix du modèle de base n'a jamais été aussi bas.

Si le design reste inchangé, cela ne s'avère pas du tout négatif. Il conserve en effet ses petites dimensions, qui le rendent d'une grande discrétion. En termes de ports, le Mac mini M2 dispose de deux ports Thunderbolt 4 (quatre pour la version M2 Pro), de deux ports USB-A et d'un port HDMI. Il dispose également d'un port Ethernet gigabit pour la connectivité internet et réseau (le Wi-Fi 6E est intégré). Le port HDMI de la version M2 peut fournir une image en 4K à 60Hz, tandis que le modèle M2 Pro peut fournir une image jusqu'à 8K à 60Hz ou 4K à 240Hz.

Le Mac mini (2023) est également doté de haut-parleurs intégrés, ce qui permet de recevoir des notifications sonores et de bénéficier de la reconnaissance vocale via Siri sans avoir à brancher de haut-parleurs.

Si vous cherchez un ordinateur compact à poser discrètement sur votre bureau, dans un studio ou même sous un téléviseur, c'est un excellent choix. Même les utilisateurs inconditionnels de Windows pourraient être tentés.

• Aller en haut de l'article

Le meilleur mini-PC pour les petits bureaux

2. dell optiplex 3090 micro.

Dell est présent dans le secteur des mini-PC depuis des années. Depuis le lancement de sa série Optiplex il y a de nombreuses années, la société l'a développée en PC de taille normale, en SFF (Small Form Factor) et en offres "Micro". L'Optiplex 3090 Micro remplace le 3080, avec pour principales différences sa capacité à prendre en charge 64 Go de mémoire sur ses deux emplacements mémoire, et tous ses ports USB sont 3.2 Gen 1.

Cette unité est conçue pour être placée verticalement à côté d'un moniteur, laissant le port USB frontal et le bouton d'alimentation à portée de main. Avec ses ports micro et casque, il constitue un excellent outil de vidéoconférence. Windows 10 est préchargé, mais il est possible d'installer Windows 11 Pro en option.

Le processeur inclus est un Intel Core i5-1145G7 de 11e génération avec quatre cœurs dont la vitesse peut atteindre 4,40 GHz - il est donc parfait pour les applications de bureau. La carte graphique partagée Intel Irix Xe fonctionne bien pour regarder des vidéos HD, travailler dans des applications de bureautique et éditer des graphiques. Les ports vidéo DisplayPort à l'arrière vous permettent de brancher deux moniteurs à une résolution allant jusqu'à 4K (60 Hz). Le refroidisseur fait peu de bruit malgré la puissance du processeur.

Il y a un emplacement de stockage de 2,5 pouces pour un disque dur ou un disque SSD SATA, ainsi que deux emplacements M.2 : l'un pour le disque SSD PCI fourni, et l'autre pour la carte Wi-Fi et Bluetooth.

En façade, on trouve un port USB 3.2 et à l'arrière, quatre ports USB 3.2, tous capables d'atteindre une vitesse de 5 Gbps, ainsi que deux sorties vidéo et un port Gigabit Ethernet RJ45. Un emplacement Kensington Lock permet de fixer l'appareil sur un bureau et, si vous passez commande directement auprès de Dell, vous pouvez ajouter un port vidéo supplémentaire, qui peut être VGA, DisplayPort 1.4 ou HDMI.

Le système peut être affiné si vous le commandez directement auprès de Dell, avec des options allant d'un Intel i3 à quatre cœurs à un Intel i7 à huit cœurs, plus de RAM ou le remplacement du SSD par un disque autochiffré certifié FIPS. Dell offre également un clavier filaire, ce qui rend le rapport qualité/prix de l'appareil exceptionnel, d'autant plus si l'on prend en compte la garantie de trois ans offerte.

Le meilleur mini-PC pour les PME

3. lenovo thinkcentre tiny m720q.

Avec son M720q, Lenovo propose un mini-PC "professionnel", disposant d'un faible encombrement, et pouvant être utilisé horizontalement ou verticalement. Il est également doté de patins pour l'empêcher de glisser.

Ce boîtier métallique robuste abrite un processeur Intel i5-9400T à six cœurs pouvant atteindre 3,4 GHz. Le mini-PC utilise un processeur de qualité bureautique au lieu d'un processeur mobile moins puissant, et les graphismes sont gérés par une carte graphique intégrée Intel UHD 630. Les grandes bouches d'aération situées à l'arrière permettent de maintenir le processeur et le système au frais sans créer de bruit.

Il existe un large éventail de configurations de CPU, de RAM et de stockage pour ce modèle, la version la plus haut de gamme étant actuellement un Intel i7-8700T avec un SSD d'un téraoctet et 32 Go de RAM pour 2,5 fois le prix de cette configuration de milieu de gamme.

Comme il s'agit d'un appareil professionnel, il est livré avec de nombreux avantages que les responsables informatiques apprécieront, comme le logiciel Lenovo Vantage qui leur permet de tout faire, de l'analyse du matériel à la mise à jour des logiciels et à la vérification de l'état de la garantie. La sécurité est un autre point fort qui le rend adapté aux environnements professionnels : sa protection USB intelligente permet aux administrateurs réseau de contrôler les périphériques USB autorisés à se connecter à ses ports USB.

Le mini-PC le moins cher

4. Beelink U59 Mini PC

Beelink est une marque de PC chinoise créée en 2011. Elle propose une gamme de mini-PC de très bonne qualité, comme le U59, un mini-PC à la fois bon marché et performant. Il a en effet beaucoup de potentiel, comme PC classique, mais également en tant qu'alternative mobile.

Malgré sa petite taille, le boîtier qui ne mesure que 112 mm de large et 41 mm de haut, comporte tout de même 2 ports HDMI, 4 ports USB et un port USB-C avec DisplayPort. On regrette l'absence de lecteur de carte SD ou Micro SD, mais sur ses nombreux ports USB, il reste très facile d'ajouter un lecteur de carte SD externe en complément.

Le mini-PC Beelink U59 inclut un disque SATA de 256 Go ou de 512 Go, mais vous avez la possibilité de le faire évoluer jusqu'à 2 To. Il offre également jusqu'à 16 Go de RAM, répartis en deux modules de 8 Go.

Dans l'ensemble, le mini-PC U59 proposé par Beelink est une bonne machine, qui concurrence même les ordinateurs portables classiques. Grâce à ses performances et son prix très abordable, il entre parmi les meilleurs mini-PC du moment.

Le meilleur mini-PC pour le streaming

5. chuwi herobox.

Vous pourriez confondre cette minuscule boîte avec l'un de ces boîtiers TV Android, mais à l'intérieur de son châssis en aluminium noir se trouve un processeur Intel Celeron à double cœur exécutant Windows 10. Sa puce N4500 utilise une faible quantité d'énergie, ce qui se traduit par un très faible dégagement de chaleur et une très faible consommation de courant, ce qui en fait un appareil idéal à laisser brancher sur la télévision de votre salon pour le streaming, la lecture de fichiers vidéo téléchargés et la navigation décontractée sur le Web. Ses graphiques intégrés Intel UHD 600 sont également suffisamment puissants pour lire des vidéos 4K.

Un boîtier séparé est un moyen bon marché pour les enfants de jouer à Minecraft sur un téléviseur grand écran à 60FPS, ou de regarder des films sur de vieux téléviseurs qui ne sont pas connectés ou dont les capacités sont dépassées. Puisque ce mini-PC fonctionne sous Windows 10, il n'y a aucune restriction sur ce que vous pouvez regarder : Netflix, Hulu, YouTube , etc.

Vous pouvez, contrairement à la plupart des boîtiers TV Android, augmenter sa capacité de stockage. Le stockage SSD est également évolutif, puisqu'il s'agit d'un SSD M.2 standard. Le port USB-C à l'avant de l'appareil est un ajout intéressant pour suivre les lecteurs flash modernes pour les appareils mobiles.

Il y a une chose qui ne peut pas être mise à niveau sur cet appareil - la RAM, qui est soudée à la carte mère - mais les 8 Go inclus sont souvent plus que suffisants. Il n'y a pas de télécommande incluse, mais vous pouvez utiliser votre smartphone Android comme tel, grâce à l'application "Serverless Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse for PC/Phone" disponible sur le Play Store.

Le meilleur mini-PC pour les gamers

6. intel nuc 11 enthusiast kit (nuc11phki7c).

Dans le kit NUC 11 Enthusiast, vous trouverez tout ce dont vous avez besoin pour satisfaire le gamer qui sommeille en vous. Outre un GPU Nvidia discret, il inclut la prise en charge de plusieurs écrans, la prise en charge de Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet 2,5 Gbps et le dernier Intel Wi-Fi 6E. Verticalement sur son socle, il ne fait que 1,6 pouces d'épaisseur.

À l'intérieur, vous trouverez un processeur Intel i7-1165G à quatre cœurs et 16 Go de RAM DDR4. Nous avons choisi la version avec un SSD de 256 Go, mais il est également disponible avec un SSD de 512 Go. Cette configuration lui permet de faire tourner des jeux comme Far Cry 5 à 60 images par seconde.

Sa connectivité est excellente, avec notamment des ports HDMI et mini-DisplayPort pour brancher deux moniteurs, deux ports USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, un lecteur de cartes SD, deux ports USB-A à l'avant, quatre ports USB 3 plus un port Type-C à l'arrière.

Si vous êtes à la recherche d'un PC à petit facteur de forme qui exécute parfaitement des jeux AAA grand public, vous ne serez pas déçu. Cependant, il ne remplace pas une console de jeux ou une plateforme complète, où vous pouvez installer la carte graphique de votre choix pour répondre aux exigences des jeux les plus récents.

7. GEEKOM Mini IT11

Le mini-PC GEEKOM Mini IT11 est très performant, notamment parce qu'il utilise les derniers processeurs mobiles Intel de 11e génération, ce qui lui permet d'offrir de très belles performances, malgré sa très petite taille. La mémoire et le stockage sont abondants, mais l'utilisateur peut facilement les augmenter si la configuration par défaut s'avère insuffisante.

Avec des designs bien conçus comme le Mini IT11, Geekom se fait rapidement une réputation de concepteur haut de gamme, sans pour autant demander des prix élevés. Il est équipé d'un processeur mobile Core i5 ou Core i7, de 16 Go de RAM DDR4 et de 512 Go de stockage SSD. La mémoire peut être portée à 64 Go et le stockage à au moins 2 To.

Notre seul reproche au Mini IT11 est que Geekom a utilisé le SSD NVMe Intel 660p, qui n'est pas le périphérique de stockage le plus rapide disponible pour les emplacements M.2 NVMe. Il n'est donc pas idéal pour le jeu, mais dispose d'une puissance plus que suffisante pour les applications bureautiques et les outils de développement.

Le mini-PC le plus sécurisé

8. protectli vault fw4b.

Les administrateurs de réseau apprécieront la flexibilité de ce mini-PC lors de la configuration des appareils de sécurité en périphérie du réseau. Comme il n'y a pas de système d'exploitation préchargé, vous pouvez installer votre solution préférée tout en connectant un moniteur externe via HDMI. Le fabricant l'a testé avec les pares-feux et les solutions de sécurité réseau les plus populaires, tels que pfSense, untangle et OPNsense.

Les composants internes de l'appareil sont soigneusement sélectionnés pour offrir des performances optimales. Par exemple, les ports Ethernet Gigabit Intel i210 assurent une compatibilité totale avec la plupart des installations Linux, de sorte à ce qu'il ne soit pas nécessaire de chercher des pilotes. De plus, le processeur prend en charge le chiffrage matériel assisté AES-NI pour de meilleures performances, et son BIOS peut être remplacé par le logiciel libre Coreboot (vous devez le remplacer vous-même). Heureusement, le fabricant fournit un bon support technique.

Ce dispositif est compatible avec le pare-feu commercial Untangle NG Firewall. Ainsi, avec un simple abonnement au logiciel, il peut fonctionner comme un équilibreur de réseau étendu, un basculement de réseau étendu, un filtre du trafic internet et un scanner de virus. Cependant, le caractère bricolé de ce mini-PC le rend plus adapté aux bricoleurs et aux administrateurs système.

9. Ouvislite Fanless Mini PC Stick

Il y a quelques années, Intel a stupéfié le monde avec son Compute Stick, un mini-PC de la taille d'une clé USB. Il s'agit d'une solution idéale pour les personnes qui recherchent la portabilité en premier lieu. Il suffit de le brancher sur n'importe quel écran PC ou sur n'importe quel téléviseur pour en faire une Smart TV.

Ce mini-PC dispose de huit gigaoctets de RAM, ce qui devrait être suffisant pour les programmes gourmands en RAM comme Chrome. Il est équipé d'un processeur Intel Atom à 4 cœurs, qui devrait suffire pour les tâches PC occasionnelles comme l'utilisation de Google Docs, la navigation sur le Web et la lecture de fichiers multimédia. Il est également doté d'une mémoire flash eMMC de 128 Go, et d'un emplacement MicroSD pour vous permettre d'étendre votre espace de stockage.

Il n'y a que deux ports USB : un USB 3.0 et un USB 2.0, si vous prévoyez d'utiliser l'appareil pendant une longue période, pensez à investir dans un hub USB 3.0.

Comment avons-nous fait notre sélection ?

Comment avons-nous choisi les meilleurs mini-pc .

Avant d'aborder nos critères de sélection, nous devons décrire le vaste éventail de configurations que recouvre l'appellation "mini PC" : Le plus grand mini PC a à peu près la taille d'un grille-pain électrique. Mais la majorité d'entre eux ont la taille d'une pile de quelques CD - si vous vous souvenez encore de ce que c'était. En outre, il existe le type appareil, qui est généralement une boîte rectangulaire fine sans ventilateur.

Les mini-PC de type appliance ont souvent un boîtier métallique pour faciliter le refroidissement passif, ainsi que plusieurs ports Gigabit Ethernet câblés. Les mini-PC sont parfaits pour être laissés sans surveillance dans une petite armoire réseau, un rack ou un casier, où ils peuvent être utilisés comme mini-serveurs à fonction fixe, comme un pare-feu pour un réseau de bureau ou un stockage de fichiers pour un petit atelier.

Il existe également une catégorie de mini-PC qui sont vraiment, vraiment petits. Ils vont de la taille de la paume de la main à un peu plus grand qu'une clé USB, et sont souvent équipés d'un connecteur mâle HDMI et conçus pour être fixés à l'arrière d'un téléviseur ou d'un moniteur pour le divertissement ou la navigation sur Internet sur un grand écran.

Ainsi, choisir un "Mini PC" n'est pas une tâche facile, nous avons d'abord dû les filtrer en fonction de leur taille. Nous avons commencé par les plus petits, les PC de la taille d'une clé USB, les appareils de la taille d'une paume de main, puis les machines de la taille d'un boîtier de télévision. Pour chaque saut de taille, nous avons recherché les scénarios d'utilisation basés sur les capacités du processeur, la quantité de RAM et les ports inclus, puis nous avons éliminé ceux dont les spécifications étaient insuffisantes, ce qui a permis de supprimer plusieurs dizaines d'entrées avec les mêmes processeurs Celeron et une faible quantité de RAM.

Une fois que nous sommes arrivés aux entrées de spécifications plus élevées, c'est là que les gagnants ont commencé à apparaître, soit par les capacités d'expansion, les caractéristiques uniques et l'adéquation à l'objectif. Un dernier filtrage en fonction de la marque et des considérations de support nous a permis d'aboutir à notre sélection des meilleurs mini-PC pour le petit bureau, le bureau d'entreprise, le meilleur mini-PC pour une utilisation multi-écrans, le meilleur pour les jeux et le meilleur mini-PC pour l'utilisation de pare-feu. Plus le prix est élevé, plus vous devez faire attention à la question du support après-vente.

L'absence de normes peut être une bonne chose

S'il y a une règle constante dans l'électronique, c'est que tout rétrécit, tout le temps, et les PC ne font pas exception. Des tâches qui, il y a quelques années, nécessitaient une tour encombrante, peuvent être accomplies aujourd'hui avec un boîtier PC standard Mini-ITX dont la taille est d'un tiers à un quart de celle des boîtiers beiges du passé. Pourtant, même le Mini-ITX se fait vieux par rapport aux normes actuelles et vous pouvez obtenir des mini-PC prêts à l'emploi qui tiennent dans votre poche ou dans la paume de votre main.

Il existe une grande variété de mini-PC : différentes tailles sont disponibles et ils sont conçus pour différents cas d'utilisation. Certains mini-PC sont conçus pour être posés à plat sous un bureau, tandis que d'autres ont un design vertical unique qui leur permet d'être placés sur le dessus de votre bureau, à côté de votre écran et à portée de main. Vous pouvez également les dissimuler complètement derrière votre écran s'ils sont équipés de trous de fixation VESA.

La gamme actuelle de mini-PC constitue une excellente alternative aux ordinateurs de bureau encombrants et aux systèmes tout-en-un pour toutes sortes d'utilisations : des employés administratifs chargés de la saisie de données aux spécialistes du service clientèle et aux bureaux des centres d'appels, en passant par les professionnels de la création et les étudiants apprenant à la maison.

Nous vous présentons ici une sélection des meilleurs mini-PC de toutes les tailles et de tous les designs, pour tous les scénarios d'utilisation. Vous trouverez des entrées de grandes marques de PC comme Dell, Intel, Lenovo, ainsi que Zotac, l'un des pionniers dans cette catégorie. Enfin, vous découvrirez des étoiles montantes comme MinisForum et Beelink, ainsi que des marques de niche moins connues dans ce segment de marché très disputé.

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J'ai rejoint l'équipe de TechRadar France en 2022, et suis chargée de la rédaction des guides d'achat. Je suis passionnée d’écriture, un peu geek sur les bords et fan de nouvelles technologies. Toujours aux quatre coins du monde, vous ne saurez jamais trop où me trouver. En revanche, je saurai toujours trouver les bons mots pour vous aider à dénicher le meilleur smartphone, le meilleur appareil photo ou encore les jeux vidéo les plus funs du moment.

• Fernando Cassia

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• Electronics

The Best Mini Desktop PCs

By Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a writer covering monitors, laptops, and tablets. He is a certified display calibrator through the Imaging Science Foundation.

If you’re looking for a simple, small desktop computer that doesn’t take up much space in your home or office, consider a mini PC. These computers are best for everyday tasks like working on documents and spreadsheets, browsing the web, taking video calls, or watching TV. However, our top picks are also powerful enough to do some light media editing, and our upgrade pick is fast enough even for professional photo and video editors.

Everything we recommend

HP Pro Mini 400 G9

The best windows mini pc.

This simple Windows PC is small, quiet, and powerful enough for daily work.

Buying Options

Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023)

The best mac mini pc.

The Mac mini offers excellent performance, and the system’s fan is whisper-quiet even when you’re editing photos or videos or compiling code.

Upgrade pick

Apple Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)

A tiny powerhouse.

The Mac mini with an M2 Pro and 32 GB of RAM can speed up most media-editing workflows, and it can connect up to three monitors.

For those who prefer Windows, the HP Pro Mini 400 G9 is the best choice, and macOS users should buy the Mac mini with Apple’s M2 processor . Both are capable little computers that you can stick under or behind a monitor, saving space on your desk. A more powerful upgrade is the Apple Mac mini with the M2 Pro processor , which competes with high-end desktops in photo and video editing capabilities.

The HP Pro Mini 400 G9 is a basic PC that’s perfect for home or office use. It runs on Intel’s latest generation of processors, which are energy-efficient and more than powerful enough for daily tasks. It has all the ports you need to hook up multiple monitors, and it offers the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. We love that the Pro Mini 400 is especially repairable; you can swap out and upgrade the storage drive, the RAM, and even the processor. And HP’s competitive pricing on this model means you can get more RAM and storage for $300 less than you’d pay for a similarly upgraded Apple Mac mini.

If you prefer macOS, get the Apple Mac mini with Apple’s M2 processor . This speedy little Mac desktop can integrate seamlessly with an iPhone or an iPad, as well as Apple services like FaceTime and iMessage. For everyday browsing and general use, an M2 Mac mini with 8 GB of memory is good enough, though if you plan to use yours for professional photo and video editing or app development, you should step up to 16 GB of memory. Keep in mind that you can’t upgrade the Mac mini’s memory or storage after you buy it, so you need to make that decision up front. Apple’s internal-storage upgrades are pricey enough that you should look at an external hard drive or a portable SSD if you need more space.

By upgrading the processor in Apple’s Mac mini to the M2 Pro, you get the same blistering processing speeds found in the new MacBook Pro for nearly half the cost. Compared with our previous upgrade pick, the Mac Studio with an M1 Max chip, the Apple Mac mini with an M2 Pro processor loses some convenient features, such as front USB-C ports and an SDXC card reader, but you pay substantially less—$700 less, to be exact—for a faster machine. It’s also whisper-quiet, even under a heavy processing load, so you can keep it on your desk and forget it’s even there.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: hp pro mini 400 g9, our pick: apple mac mini (m2, 2023), upgrade pick: apple mac mini with m2 pro, what about gaming mini pcs, what about other mini pcs not listed here, what to look forward to, the competition.

Dave Gershgorn has reviewed and covered technology since 2015 at publications such as Popular Science, Quartz, Medium, and now Wirecutter. As a senior staff writer, he covers all computer displays for Wirecutter and is a certified display calibrator through the Imaging Science Foundation. He has also built, repaired, and largely avoided frying his own computers since 2006.

Mini PCs are small computers that cram all the components of a desktop tower into a box the size of a paperback. There’s no attached display, mouse, or keyboard, so you have to buy your own. (Check out our guides to the best monitors for our recommendations on which one is best for you.) Despite these desktops’ small size, they’re more than powerful enough for browsing the web, handling basic photo and video editing, and working in documents or large spreadsheets.

Unlike ultrabooks or most all-in-one PCs, Windows mini PCs are easy to upgrade if you want to add more memory or storage, and they have all the ports you need to connect two or three monitors and your favorite keyboard, mouse, and webcam. The size of a mini PC prevents much expansion, but you can upgrade the storage and the memory on most Windows models, and some allow you to swap out the CPU, too. Instead of having a dedicated graphics card, you’re usually stuck with integrated graphics, so don’t expect a mini PC to have enough power to play many modern games; you can add an external graphics dock if your mini PC supports Thunderbolt 3 or higher, but such docks tend to be large and expensive .

Two of Apple’s flagship desktops fit into this mini PC category, and they’re a bit different from Windows mini PCs. They’re not upgradable and repairable—instead they contain desktop versions of the same powerful guts found in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Their chips are power-efficient, and they’re nearly silent, since they don’t require much cooling from fans to keep running smoothly; the Mac mini has one, but it’s almost unnoticeably quiet.

You can find mini PCs for less than $250, but Windows PCs in that price range have unusably slow processors and less memory and storage than most people need. We did not look at cheap, single-board computers, such as those from Raspberry Pi , nor would we include them in our definition of the term “mini PC.” Those ARM-based computers are slow, geared toward hobbyists, and designed to use custom Linux software.

Here’s what we look for in a good mini PC:

• Processor: A mini PC needs a processor powerful enough to handle basic web browsing, light photo editing, and any office programs you use. With the exception of our budget contenders and the Mac mini, all the mini PCs in our test group have a midrange 12th-generation Intel processor.
• Memory: We recommend at least 8 GB of RAM for browsing the web and handling basic productivity tasks. If you spend lots of time in heavy-duty apps such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Premiere, or if you regularly edit several large spreadsheets or databases at a time, you may benefit from 16 GB; aside from the Mac mini, any of our picks allow you to upgrade the RAM if you decide that you need more.
• Storage: A spinning hard drive can bog down an otherwise speedy computer, so a solid-state drive is a requirement here. A 256 GB SSD should be available as a standard feature, and upgrading the storage or adding a second drive later should be easy. Budget picks usually come with less storage, but Chrome OS relies more on cloud storage than Windows and macOS do, so local storage isn’t as big a deal for a Chromebox.
• Wireless features: Every mini PC should come with support for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless networking, as well as Bluetooth, so you don’t have to waste USB ports by adding dongles for Wi-Fi or your wireless keyboards and mice.
• Price: Mini PCs are smaller than desktop PCs, but their size doesn’t make them cheaper—on the contrary, cramming everything into a small box is an engineering feat that you pay a small premium for. Expect to pay between $600 and $800 for a mini PC capable enough to last you the next few years.
• Ports: A good mini PC comes with at least four USB ports. A great mini PC tosses in a USB Type-C and/or Thunderbolt port and an SD card reader. The ports should be split between the PC’s front and back so that you can access at least a couple of them without messing around at the back of the computer. A mini PC should have at least two ports for connecting to monitors—any combination of HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C is workable for most people.
• Preinstalled operating system: We focus on computers that have either Windows or macOS. Each of our picks comes with the operating system preinstalled.
• Size: A mini PC should be small enough to hide behind or under a monitor, taking up no additional space on a desk. Because mini PCs fit almost anywhere, many clever mounting options are available, and if a smaller mini PC model has a VESA mount (more on that below), you can tuck the PC behind a monitor or underneath a desk.
• Ease of upgrades: You should be able to upgrade the memory and storage on any mini PC without much technical know-how. (However, our Mac picks are not upgradable in this way.)
• Fan noise: Like laptops, mini PCs cram a lot of power into a small case. Although you don’t need to worry about burning your legs with a mini PC, you do need to make sure the case regulates temperature so that the computer doesn’t overheat. Due to the system’s size, you might hear the fan (if it has one) kick on more often than with other computers, so it’s important that the fan’s sound isn’t too annoying.
• Warranty: Most mini PCs come with at least a one-year warranty, but the best have a two- or three-year warranty. The policy should cover any defects as well as tech support over the phone, chat, or email.

We also consider the following features, but their presence has no effect on our recommendations:

• Lack of bloatware: Nobody wants useless, poorly designed, complicated software—bloatware—preinstalled on their PC, and it’s annoying for people who can’t figure out how to remove it. A mini PC free of manufacturer cruft is more desirable.
• Bundled keyboard and mouse: Some of the mini PCs we’ve looked at come packaged with keyboards and mice, while others don’t. This doesn’t affect our judgment one way or the other. The accessories that PC manufacturers bundle with their desktops are rarely very good—if you care about your keyboard and mouse, you’re likely to spend extra on a nice Bluetooth keyboard or mechanical keyboard and a good wireless mouse anyway.
• VESA mounting support: Mounting a mini PC to the back of a monitor is a good way to save a little space on your desk and get some of the benefits of an all-in-one without having to pay for one (or dealing with its lack of upgradability). VESA support on a mini PC is nice to have but not something everyone needs.
• Power consumption: Mini PCs use low-power desktop and laptop processors, so yours shouldn’t draw much power even when it’s working hard.

After we settled on the hardware criteria, we searched the websites of major PC manufacturers such as Acer , Apple , Asus , Dell , HP , Intel , and Lenovo —and poked around in the inventory of smaller manufacturers such as Gigabyte , MSI , Shuttle , and Zotac —to find models to test.

We started our tests by booting up each mini PC and then running all available updates to the operating system and hardware. We then ran the benchmarking program Geekbench 5 and ran the 10-minute single-core and multi-core benchmarks in Cinebench R23—this process gave us a good idea of how the computers would perform in general use and when running at full speed for an extended period of time.

We then connected each mini PC to a series of 24-inch, 27-inch, and 4K monitors to test its display outputs and used it for a few days of ordinary work. This process usually consisted of running a web browser with at least 15 tabs open at a time (Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Slack, and plenty more), streaming music through the Spotify desktop application, video chatting, and recording audio. The testing allowed us to get a feel for how each mini PC performed on a daily basis, and it also gave us time to discover any quirks related to bloatware or driver issues.

The HP Pro Mini 400 G9 is a simple and repairable computer that’s fast enough for everyday work and general use. It’s small enough to mount behind a monitor, which you can easily do with the computer case’s included VESA mounting holes, and its fans aren’t too noisy.

Inside the Pro Mini 400 is a 12th-generation Intel Core i5-12500T processor, which in our tests felt fast to use and didn’t get bogged down running a bunch of apps at once. The model we tested also had 16 GB of RAM, which was more than enough for us to have a wealth of tabs open, to stream video, and to run applications with abandon.

In this guide we’ve linked to a configuration of the Pro Mini 400 that in our opinion provides the best value and options, but you can configure the PC on HP’s site to put in more RAM, a better processor, or even a better Wi-Fi antenna, if you want. (We didn’t have any problems with the standard antenna.) One upgrade that might be worthwhile is using the Flexible Port option to add one more USB-C port to the rear of the PC, as HP says this port can serve to power the whole mini PC if you have a monitor capable of outputting 100 W of power over USB-C. This means you would need to have just one power cable running to your display and then have one USB-C cable connecting your display to your Pro Mini 400, supplying video and power. If you then mount the PC to the back of that monitor, your setup would be especially clean and space-efficient.

Keep in mind that if you are configuring your own PC, you should make sure to include a wireless card for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, because that option isn’t selected by default.

If you’re agnostic as to which operating system your computer uses, one advantage of the Pro Mini 400 over the Mac mini is its front-facing ports. The computer has two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a headphone jack on the front, making it easy for you to plug in flash drives and other peripherals you might not want plugged in all the time. The back of the computer has more ports, including three USB-A ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 connections, one HDMI 2.1 port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Also available is a single HP FlexPort, which you can change into an extra DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB-C port if you customize your PC.

The Pro Mini 400 is extremely easy to open and upgrade yourself. You’ll find just one screw on the back of the computer, which you can open with a flathead screwdriver. You can then push the entire top of the computer case forward and lift it off, revealing the internals of the PC. Unlike on any Apple computer, in this mini PC, removing three screws that secure the heat sink allows you to upgrade the processor, an excellent feature that helps to ensure the repairability and long-term lifespan of your computer. The SSD inside is also readily accessible if you want to upgrade that yourself, and it requires the removal of only one more screw. The RAM is equally accessible, hidden under the PC’s fan; you lift the fan up from over the RAM using a clever hinge built into the computer’s heatsink, which cools both the processor and the RAM. This kind of design also lets you clean dust from the heatsink and fans, making maintenance a breeze.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Our only issue with the HP Pro Mini 400 G9 is a strength in disguise, much like an answer that an over-coached applicant might give in a job interview. The Pro Mini 400 is almost too configurable, in a way that makes it confusing to buy. For instance, if you want to change HP’s Flexible Port to the USB-C option that allows you to power the whole device from a compatible monitor, you have to go through HP’s customization menu. This menu is not intuitive, and you can’t configure the machine to be the same price as one of HP’s preconfigured options. This is more of an issue with HP’s website and price structure than anything else, but it’s still an annoying aspect of the purchasing process.

If you prefer macOS to Windows, the Apple Mac mini with Apple’s M2 processor is the mini PC you should get. Apple’s M2 processor is about as fast as the speediest Intel processors available for our Windows pick, and thanks to its power efficiency, the Mac mini remains whisper-quiet even when the computer is working hard.

The 2023 Mac mini’s M2 processor makes it about as fast as an M2 MacBook Air, so it’s great for everyday tasks such as web browsing, document and spreadsheet work, and casual photo editing yet still usable in a pinch for professional tasks like app development and video editing. If you mainly plan to use it as a day-to-day computer, the basic $600 version with 8 GB of memory works just fine. If you want to run professional apps, getting 16 GB of memory is worth paying an extra $200, since you can’t upgrade the Mac mini yourself after buying it. Apple’s storage upgrades are similarly expensive, so we recommend buying an external hard drive or a portable SSD rather than paying Apple’s prices.

Despite its relatively larger size, the Mac mini actually comes with fewer ports than most of the Windows mini PCs we tested (and fewer than the old Intel-based Mac mini had). You get one Gigabit Ethernet port, a pair of USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI 2.0 port, two Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a headphone jack. You can use the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports in any combination to connect up to two external monitors, which is fewer than the three or four external monitors that Intel’s graphics support. But when you’re using a pair of high-resolution 4K-and-up monitors with the M2 Mac mini, macOS and its apps remain fluid and responsive, without any of the choppiness you could sometimes see if you were to hook the same pair of monitors to an Intel Mac mini.

The Mac mini is one of the larger mini PCs we’ve tested, at 7.7 by 7.7 inches and 1.4 inches high. It also lacks VESA-mounting options, so it needs room on a desk (unless you want to try a third-party mount ). But unlike the Windows PCs we’ve tested, the Mac mini doesn’t have an external power brick, so you don’t need to find room for one behind or under your desk.

One area where the Mac mini excels in contrast to our Windows pick is fan noise: The Apple M2 version of the Mac mini is barely audible even when you’re playing a game or encoding video files. Apple’s chips, originally designed to fit into small, fanless iPhones and iPads, are more efficient than Intel’s, so they generate less heat and use less power. In laptops like the MacBook Air, that manifests as a few extra hours of battery life. In a desktop computer like the Mac mini, it means that the system doesn’t need a loud fan, and your power bills will be a little lower. Most of the Intel-based systems in our tests consumed between 50 W and 60 W of power when encoding a video, a task that stresses all the cores on a processor at once. The M2 Mac mini, in contrast, used about 24 W of power to do the same task in a similar amount of time.

The Mac mini comes with Apple’s standard one-year warranty. Extending that coverage to three years with AppleCare+ costs $99; doing so also adds accidental-damage protection and three years of “priority access to tech support.”

Unfortunately, you cannot repair or upgrade the Mac mini yourself. This is in stark contrast to our Windows pick, which is one of the most repairable PCs that we recommend at Wirecutter.

Part of what makes Apple products compelling is the suite of great applications that sync across all its devices, such as iMessage and Photos. Unfortunately, the size of Apple’s default storage drives hasn’t grown as quickly as many people take photos and send them to their friends. And larger drives are extremely costly, adding hundreds of dollars over the typical market price to the cost of the Mac mini. Long-term Apple fans who have years’ worth of saved photos, videos, and messages who don’t want to pay for iCloud must now pay a premium to store all that data on their own drives.

This choice by Apple to make its devices non-upgradable means that if you run out of storage on your Mac mini, you won’t be able to swap out its storage drive to gain more space. Your only options are to buy an external hard drive (though some synced iCloud services like iMessage cannot be stored on external devices), buy Apple’s cloud storage for a monthly cost, or buy a new Mac mini.

For anybody who does processor-intensive work, the Apple Mac mini with an M2 Pro processor is a tiny powerhouse that can fit under a monitor. Its processor is wickedly fast for converting file types, rendering video, or working in 3D. Because the unified 16 GB of RAM works with either the central processing unit or the graphics processor, you can also more quickly handle enormous video files. The Mac mini with the M2 Pro also has two more USB-C ports than the standard model, so you can have peripherals aplenty.

The M2 Pro chip is the centerpiece of this upgrade pick, and in our tests it proved to be just as fast as the M2 Pro processor we recommend for the MacBook Pro line. The M2 Pro Mac mini exported our two-minute 4K test video in Adobe Premiere in just 2 minutes 8 seconds, and it resized and exported 330 high-resolution images in 5 minutes. That 4K-export time is a minute faster than what we got from the M1 Max–based Mac Studio, and 1 minute 20 seconds faster than the results from our M2-based top pick. These tests aren’t indicative of the performance you’re likely to get from every video- and photo-editing process, but they offer a good benchmark for how quickly you can expect the desktop to process similar media.

Apple has an even more powerful mini PC in the Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips. If you came here looking for a small desktop PC, we think these would be overkill. They’re intended for professional video and graphics editors, and those whose work includes processing gigabytes to terabytes of media.

The M2 Pro Mac mini’s 16 GB of RAM represents a notable difference from the configuration of every other Windows mini PC currently available. Apple calls this RAM “unified,” which means that it’s accessible to both the CPU and GPU cores on the M2 Pro chip. Traditionally, on Windows PCs, only the CPU accesses the RAM; this is why media editors and gamers typically buy dedicated graphics cards, or GPUs, which have their own processor for video as well as additional RAM. In the M2 Pro Mac mini, all of the RAM resides in one pool that the system can access for handling spreadsheets, managing Chrome tabs, and exporting video at the same time. This design also gives you a larger supply of RAM for graphics processing, which is generally a good thing when you’re working on larger projects consisting of many gigabytes of video files.

This processor and RAM configuration does have the downside of being completely soldered to one mainboard, which means that the system is essentially unrepairable.

Upgrading to the M2 Pro chip also upgrades the number of ports you get. The M2 Pro version of the Mac mini has two more USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports than the standard version, for a total of four, and the computer can support three monitors instead of two. It also has two USB-A ports, an SD Card reader, an HDMI port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a headphone jack. Thanks to this collection of ports, you should be able to connect just about any accessory, peripheral, storage drive, or monitor with little issue.

Measuring 7.7 inches wide, 7.7 inches long, and 1.4 inches tall, the Mac mini system is extremely quiet even under heavy load, and the noise is almost unnoticeable even when the computer is on a desk.

Gaming mini PCs promise full gaming capabilities in a package smaller than most game consoles, but they don’t make sense for most people. Gaming mini PCs are considerably pricier than the models in this guide, and buying one is usually much more expensive than building a larger PC yourself. They run hot, which can lead to a shorter lifetime for the components. The components are slower than what you get in a midrange gaming PC, and you’re usually limited in the kinds of CPU and GPU upgrades you can perform when you need more speed. In most instances, you should still stick to a gaming PC in a Mini-ITX case if you’re looking for something small, because such a PC will have better cooling, cost less to build, and be easier to upgrade later on. If you’re more concerned about portability, a gaming laptop is a better option.

You can also find a slew of mini PCs sold with more limited Intel Celeron and Pentium processors, which might be fine for emulating games from older consoles but don’t meet the processing-power threshold that we set for daily use. If you’re looking for a mini PC to emulate retro games, the reviews posted by the YouTube channel ETA Prime are thorough and widely sample the category.

A handful of other powerful barebones gaming mini PCs exist, but most of them come from smaller companies like ASRock and Zotac and have shorter warranties and worse support. They’re also harder to find and to buy, and their makers haven’t always updated them to use the newest processors and GPUs.

If you’re looking for a mini PC we haven’t mentioned for daily use or to replace a desktop tower, consider the recommendations we outline in the How we picked section as you shop for one. The configuration should include a 13th-generation Intel processor, at least 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage.

Mini PCs have other uses, however, like acting as small servers to host websites or the Plex media-management app. For these specialized situations, you could relax our stated requirements for the latest processors and go down to 4 GB of RAM, and wind up saving quite a bit of money on an older mini PC. We don’t recommend going older than the 10th generation of Intel processors, however, since at that point you’ll start to miss out on critical security updates in just a few years. We also don’t recommend Celeron or Pentium processors, which are unlikely to be powerful enough to handle anything but the simplest computing tasks.

If you’re watching any company building mini PCs right now, watch Asus. Last year, it became the first company to license Intel’s Next Unit of Computing (NUC), and at CES 2024, Asus released its first line of the new mini PCs.

Asus has launched three mini PCs under the NUC name: the NUC 14 Pro, NUC 14 Pro+, and the gaming-focused ROG NUC. All three are powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra processors, and the ROG NUC can be configured with an Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4070 for gaming. We’re especially interested in these, as they seem more consumer-focused compared to Asus’s enterprise-focused ExpertCenter mini PC line. Asus hasn’t released pricing for these NUCs yet, but they’re shipping in February, and we’re looking forward to putting them through their paces in a new round of testing for this guide.

Windows PCs

We tested the HP Z2 Mini G9 , a Windows mini PC built for creative work and any jobs that might require a bit more horsepower than the HP Pro Mini 400 G9 offers. You can outfit it with any of several 12th-generation Intel processors, a wealth of RAM, and large storage options. If you’re specifically looking for a more powerful Windows mini PC, this is a good choice. However, it had some drawbacks that prevented us from making it a pick. In our tests, our upgrade pick, the Apple Mac mini with an M2 Pro processor, proved to be more than 30% faster at certain tasks, especially multi-core tasks such as media editing. The Mac mini was also whisper-quiet, even under heavy load, whereas the Intel processor in the Z2 Mini required a fan, which audibly kicked on while it was handling that same workload. Although the Z2 Mini has a lot of DisplayPort connections, the model we tested didn’t have an HDMI display output or USB-C ports capable of video output by default. (You can add these by configuring the Flexible Port on HP’s site, however.) We don’t want to discount the Z2 Mini G9 entirely, though, as it could be a great machine for some people since its shortcomings are similar to those of many other Windows PCs. It’s worth checking out if you’re not in the Mac ecosystem.

We tested the Dell OptiPlex 3000 Micro and found it very similar to the HP Pro Mini 400 G9. The two computers are available with similar processors, RAM, and storage configurations, but the HP model is less expensive and more flexible in terms of configuration. Most important, the Pro Mini 400 also has a USB-C port. If the HP model is out of stock or wildly more expensive than $800, or if you don’t care about USB-C, this Dell model is a comparable purchase.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Tiny , M80q Tiny , and M90q Tiny are virtually indistinguishable, as they provide most of the same ports and processor options. Compared with the HP Pro Mini 400 G9, however, they cost more for less RAM, storage, and processing power, and Lenovo systems have had fluctuating pricing and availability this year, likely due to supply-chain issues.

As a general rule for any mini PC, you can skip models that use older 9th- or 10th-generation Intel processors, as those processors are aging and will receive support for a shorter amount of time.

Chromeboxes

We used to recommend Chromeboxes as a low-cost alternative to mini PCs for people who need only to surf the web and check email, and who mainly rely on Google services. However, new Chromeboxes with modern processors aren’t released as often as Chromebooks, and generally Chromebooks offer a better value for those people who don’t need a full PC.

For more details, read our guide to the best Chromebooks .

Apple’s new Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra processors is geared toward media professionals rather than the average person. While the Mac Studio was previously an upgrade pick here, we now think the M2 Pro Mac mini offers most of the performance for nearly half the price.

If you want to learn more about the Mac Studio and how it compares to the Mac mini, check out our full guide to Mac desktops .

The latest version of this article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.

Chris Hoffman, How to Install Windows 10 on Your PC , How-To Geek , November 1, 2017

Meet your guide

Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He’s been covering consumer and enterprise technology since 2015, and he just can’t stop buying computers. If this weren’t his job, it would likely be a problem.

Further reading

How to Shop for a Used Laptop or Desktop PC

by Kimber Streams and Andrew Cunningham

Major stores and manufacturers sell refurbished, refreshed, and used laptops and desktops that sometimes perform as well as new ones, but for much lower prices.

How to Buy a Mac Desktop

by Dave Gershgorn

Apple makes fantastic laptops, but its desktops are also great options for many people. We’re here to help you figure out which one is right for you.

The Best Laptops for Video and Photo Editing

Photographers and video editors on the go need a powerful laptop with good battery life, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro is almost always the best tool for the job.

The Best Laptops

by Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

Best mini PCs of 2024

The best mini PCs are more powerful than you can possibly imagine

• 1. Best overall
• 2. Best on a budget
• 3. Best for offices
• 4. Best barebones
• 5. Best for creators
• 6. Best performance
• 7. Best for flexibility
• 8. Best Intel mini PC
• 9. Best for beginners
• 10. Best for basics
• 11. Best for conferencing
• 12. Best workstation
• 13, Best for ports
• 14. Best for editing
• 15. Best for gaming
• 16. Best tower
• 17. Best mobile CPU
• 18. Best for storage
• How to choose
• How we test

The quick list 1. Best overall 2. Best on a budget 3. Best for offices 4. Best barebones 5. Best for creators 6. Best for performance 7. Best for flexibility 8. Best Intel mini PC 9. Best for beginners 10. Best for basics 11. Best for conferencing 12. Best workstation 13. Best for ports 14. Best for editing 15. Best for gaming 16. Best tower 17. Best mobile chip 18. Best for storage

Don't let the size fool you - the best mini PCs we've tested offer a powerful, portable alternative to laptops and desktop PCs. Our team of reviewers tested the best of the best, benchmarking performance, and comparing specs for a range of uses - from basic office tasks to gaming and video editing. 

Mini PCs, sometimes known as a NUC or thin client, are compact boxes that often hide impressively powerful components. Because of their small size (you can mount many to monitor) and reliability, they've become a popular choice for video conferencing, streaming, and server use alongside general office workflows. And while they lack the sheer force of the very best business computers or even best business laptops we've tested, they're a lot more powerful than you might think - and a lot cheaper, too. 

Our review team have gone hands-on with a massive range of the best mini PCs for video editing, gaming, office work, and and the cheapest mini PCs for those working to a budget. Rigorously benchmarking overall performance, we compared specs, connectivity, and explored features across Windows and Mac mini PCs for the home, office, and everywhere in between.

Aside from that big performance boost, the Mac mini is compact, relatively affordable compared to those other Macs, and perfect if you or your business have already bought into the Apple ecosystem.

Read more below

Hovering at around $200 USD in a number of RAM configurations, and following Intel's NUC specifications, we found the U59 to be an excellent mini PC, whether it's your first, or you're just hunting for a deal.

The AS 6 might only be a plastic build and have quite a noisy fan, but it's still of the best value ways to get a machine that's kitted out with USB 4.0 and two Gen 4 2280 M.2 NVMe slots (leaving enough space for a 2.5 inch SATA drive) in this form factor.

Almost certainly overpowered for the price, this tiny NUC is a rare bargain that only falls short to a CPU bottleneck with the default RAM configuration of a single 16GB module - and addressing this - should you need to - will bump up the price quite a bit.

The Mac Studio is built for creatives across the board - and having tested it out, we can confidently say it's a performance powerhouse for designing and editing content and other creative output. 

The SE6 Pro 7735HS might not have as catchy a name as the Mac Studio, but, with an AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU and SKUs now offering up to 32GB of RAM, maybe it's time to realise that branding isn't everything. And at least you'll be able to upgrade this one.

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Small as well as powerful (featuring the staggering Intel Core i7-13700H and up to 32GB of RAM), the Venus NPB7 also manages to be effortlessly configurable, with a barebones configuration available, and the innards being accessible without a screwdriver,

Intel have since killed off its own NUC range, but even though you shouldn't expect a refresh anytime soon, the NUC 13 Pro is still a blistering powerhouse, with up to 12 GPU threads, 64GB of RAM. Gen 4 NVME and Thunderbolt 4 in a range of (admittedly barebones) SKUs. Grab it while you can.

Though since succeeded by the AS 6, Geekom's AS 5 is a brilliant starter kit. It only has one SKU, and the DDR4 RAM bandwidth can bottleneck performance. But it does feature 32GB of RAM out of the box, dual M.2 slots and lots of USB ports.

With its colorful gaming vibes, the Acemagic AD08 is a lovely looking mini PC with a monster Intel processor (and an AMD version also available). However, with its lacklustre GPU you'll find it doesn't quite measure up for tasks needing heavy multi-threading or serious graphical performance. 

The GMKtec NucBox M2 is a prime example of a good quality mini PC that won't break the bank. Housed in an attractive metal case, its size makes it perfect for conferencing rooms, and it can be monitor-mounted for using office applications.

The Khadas Mind is a Kickstarter-founded portable workstation for those that need a lot of power in small form-factor. It boasts the same processor platform found in the NUC 13 Pro, so performance is good for a machine with a mobile CPU and integrated GPU. 

The  GMKtec NucBox K2 has probably the best port selection of any mini PC we've tested, so if you want flexibility, have a lot of different devices, or just like to be prepared, it's a great choice. We found it mostly silent and especially powerful. 

If you're into video editing, we found the Minisforum UM790 Pro more than capable of handling the job. It's a fantastic performer - and packing an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and AMD Radeon 780M GPU, it excels at graphically intense work.

Few mini PCs can run triple-A games, but for lighter gaming, the Acemagician AM08 Pro is specifically designed for the task. We ran multiple benchmarks on this AMD Ryzen 9-powered machine excelled at multitasking and graphically intensive applications like video editing.

You don't often see a mini PC shaped like a small desktop tower. That does mean it's bigger than most, with the space used for extra cooling, leading to almost silent running. An Intel 13th-generation processor gives it a performance edge. 

What sets the Geekom Mini IT13 apart from other mini PCs is its Intel Core i9-13900H - one of the most powerful mobile chips out there. As specifications go, this is an excellent unit, but not without drawbacks.  

Storage isn't an issue with the T-Bao MiniPC + NAS R3, which boasts a dual-HDD NAS drive to increase storage in minutes without any tools (we know, we tried it). Suitable for offices and home office set-ups. 

Best mini PC overall

1. Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Apple Mac mini might not be the smallest around, but for the sheer power relative to its size, it’s our pick for best mini PC. Packing the incredibly fast M2 and M2 Pro chips, the Mac mini (‘mini’ in lowercase, just to emphasize its compact form) is perfect for running basic office apps, browsing, right up to intensive creative tasks like photo and video editing. 

When it comes to performance, we had absolutely no issues with the Mac mini. It breezed through every task, every benchmark test, with results putting it not too far behind the similarly portable but not so mini MacBook Pro. The machine even offers good value for money for a mini PC, with prices around the $600 / £600 mark. If you’re not too concerned about the best processors, you can still occasionally find the M1 model, which is a very good alternative at a cheaper price. 

However, this is an Apple device - and an excellent entry-point into its closed ecosystem. But unlike most mini PCs, there’s no barebones option here, no upgrading the system, switching distros, or any other tinkering. This is for those who want a mini PC ready to go from day one. 

Read our full Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023) review .

Best mini PC on a budget

2. Beelink U59 Mini PC

The Beelink U59 is a NUC-sized PC built around the Intel Celeron Processor N5105 (4C/4T, 4M Cache, 2.0GHz up to 2.9GHz). It can come with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and up to a 512GB SATA SSD installed.

Even with that modest silicon, the U59 performs well at basic tasks and has potential as a small office machine or for embedded applications. For 8GB customers, the RAM can be upgraded to 16GB, along with the M.2 SATA storage. There is also a bay inside for a 2.5-inch drive for even more storage options.

What seals this deal is the relatively low asking price of both the 8GB and 16GB models and the bloatware-free Windows 11 installation. Including dual HDMI outputs and dual gigabit LAN ports neatly positions the U59 for embedded use, ideal for providing product presentations or as a self-contained firewall.

The Beelink U59 is easily one of the better NUC-sized machines we’ve seen, and it’s cheap enough for even the tightest budgets.

Read our full Beelink U59 review

Best mini PC for the office

3. Geekom AS 6

The AS 6 is a different beast compared to the AS 5. This NUC system might look identical from the outside, but the Zen 3+ processor and DDR5 in this system can deliver a dramatically improved performance.

Combining better bandwidth with DRR5 memory, a more power-efficient processor, a superior GPU and a PCIe 4.0 infrastructure, the AS 6 has almost everything going for it. If it has weaknesses, these include a noisy cooling system, all-plastic construction and the same Asus-designed interior layout where the motherboard is in two parts connected by a flexible ribbon cable.

However, it has USB 4.0, and the two 2280 M.2 NVMe slots are both Gen 4, allowing for plenty of performance storage to be added alongside a 2.5-inch SATA mechanism. Sadly, Geekom supplies the machine with only a Gen 3 NVMe drive, but swapping it for something faster is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward exercise.

With an asking price between $659 and $749, depending on the largely processor-optional SKU, this isn’t a cheap design, but it represents good value for a machine with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage as standard. For those wanting a high-performance NUC system that can take on most office challenges, the Geekom AS 6 is yet another practical option.

Read our full Geekom AS 6 review  

Best mini PC with a barebones option

4. GMKtec NucBox K1

One of the best things about mini PCs is their upgradeability - it’s one of the joys of owning them. And while you can pick up plenty of ‘barebones’ mini PCs, in our experience, the GMKtec NucBox K1 is particularly outstanding here. 

The ‘barebones’ option is cheap, but you’ll need to provide DDR5 memory, NVMe, operating system - as you’d expect. Preconfigured models run up to 32GB RAM and  1TB storage capacity. So, plenty of options available, whether you’re a PC fixer or just need something to run (almost) straight out the box. 

Like all the best mini PCs, it’s also an incredibly compact device. Easily one of the smallest NUCs we’ve tested, it’s not much larger than the motherboard it houses - without impacting performance. However, we would've liked to see more port selection - USB4.0 is great, but where's the Thunderbolt compatibility? 

Speaking of performance, the K1 did well - and vastly improved once we swapped out the single 16GB module of our review model for a couple of Crucial DDR5 4800 SODIMMs. It brought performance up to Ryzen 7 7735HS levels. If you don’t choose the ‘barebones’ or 32Gb versions, then make sure you pick up a second memory module for best performance. 

Read our full GMKtec NucBox K1 review  .

Best mini PC for creators

5. Apple Mac Studio

If you’re a creative professional, the Apple Mac Studio is the best mini PC for you. A beefed-up version of the Mac mini, the Mac Studio is built from a single aluminum extrusion, with a square footprint of 7.7 inches and a height of 3.7 inches. 

In our tests, the Mac Studio performed beautifully. It easily handled 8K video editing and the advanced AI-powered photo editing tools in Adobe Photoshop . We even saw the Mac Studio load a detailed 3D scene that took up more memory than most discrete professional PC GPUs come with. And it did all this in near-silence. 

The bottom line is that you’re just not going to get another PC of this performance level in such a compact chassis. Its laser-like focus on creative professionals means it won’t be for everyone, but it packs plenty of ports, and if you want a powerful and compact creative mini PC, there’s a lot to love with the Apple Mac Studio. 

Read our full Apple Mac Studio review  

Best mini PC for performance

6. Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS

Those looking for the fastest NUC might head to the new Intel NUC 13 Pro, but that assumption might be premature. The Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS, as the name infers, is built around the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 mobile technology and can match or better the latest Intel 13th Gen silicon.

The AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor in this tiny computer has eight cores and can process sixteen threads, making it one of the most powerful small system platforms. Combined with 32GB of DDR5-4800, a Gen 4 NVMe drive and a chipset that includes Thunderbolt, a 2.5GbE LAN port and Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX2111, expect a very positive user experience. 

At the time of writing, there is only one SKU that comes with 32GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. However, these machines can be upgraded to 64GB and at least 2TB of storage through drop-in replacements. Dismantling the machine to add these upgrades could be easier, but it's something most users will only do once. Our only other complaint is that the single Thunderbolt port is on the front, whereas the rear might have been a better option for those with docking stations.

The power and efficiency of this platform are distinctive, and we expect to see many NUC makers embrace this new silicon to deliver new high-performance options. Beelink got its machine out early, and this is now a no-brainer for anyone needing a NUC for demanding jobs lesser hardware might struggle with. It does all this for around $300 less than the Intel NUC 13 Pro, making it a bargain.

Read our full Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS review  

Best mini PC for flexibility

7. Minisforum Venus NPB7

A powerful mini PC packing a 13th Gen Intel Mobile chip, Minisforum Venus NPB7 is fast, modern (yes, there’s USB 4.0 and Thunderbolt), and beautifully designed with its attractive aluminum chassis. 

One of the big reasons why mini computers are popular is their upgradeability, letting you boost performance as better components become available. We like the flexibility on offer with the NPB7. It may not be the best mini PC with a ‘barebones’ option for upgradeability, but with incredibly easy access to the internals, it’s certainly worth considering if you enjoy tinkering.

During our benchmarking, we found performance was excellent - there’s no denying Intel’s processor is a beast, making short work of just about any task we tried. Even storage read/write speeds were respectable. Where the NPB7 falls down is in the graphics department. Not ideal, then, if you’re working on photo editing or other media creation and production. But for all other tasks, we found this mini PC to be exceptional. 

Read our full Minisforum Venus NPB7 review .

Best Intel mini PC

8. Intel NUC 13 Pro

The latest, and arguably the greatest NUC yet. The Intel NUC 13 Pro takes the best silicon from the new 13th Gen mobile product lines and packages them in the classic Intel NUC cases.

What the customer gets is plenty of CPU performance with up to 12 threads and 64GB of RAM combined with Gen 4 NVMe storage and Thunderbolt 4 technology baked into the machine. Starting at around $320 for the Core-i3 models and going to over $1,000 for the top-of-the-range Core-i7 vPro processors, there is plenty of scope for both performance and price. All these machines are provided as ‘barebones’, meaning that you will need to provide RAM modules, NVMe storage and other peripherals (mouse, keyboard, screen, operating system, etc.) to make them fully operational.

In our testing, the NUC 13 Pro was much quicker at multithreaded tasks than its predecessors, but the performance of single-threaded benchmarks was only modestly better. The best aspects of the new NUC are the connectivity with Thunderbolt 4.0 and USB 3.2 ports and the near-silent operation.

The Intel NUC 13 Pro might not be the cheapest option for compact computing devices, but it is from a highly trusted source and offers the absolute cutting edge in NUC technology.

Read our full Intel NUC 13 Pro review  

Best mini PC for beginners

9. Geekom AS 5

On paper, this looks like a very powerful NUC and a bargain price from Geekom. Based on the 2021 launched Ryzen 9 5900HX mobile processor, this tiny system comes in a single SKU with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe 3.0 NVMe storage.

The problem it faces is that it’s competing with systems that use either more recent Ryzen designs or the latest Intel 13th gen processors that use DDR5 memory. The DRR4 RAM in this design comes in copious amounts, but the bandwidth on offer is the Achilles heel of this platform, as it reduces the performance of the integrated Radeon RX Vega GPU.

All that said, this is a fully featured NUC system with three monitor outputs, seven USB ports and a 2.5GbE LAN port. Internally it has two M.2 2280 slots for storage, and a bay for a 2.5-inch SATA device, allowing it to be a tiny power-packed media system. If it weren’t for hardware like the Minisforum Venus NPB7 and the Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS, we’d be more impressed with a tiny computer with an eight-core and sixteen-thread CPU.

Still, at just over $600, this is plenty of mini PC for that investment, and it is a flexible solution that could easily be repurposed for one of many jobs.

Read our full Geekom AS 5 review  

Best mini PC for basics

10. Acemagic AD08

The AD08 is built around an 11th Gen Intel Core-i9 processor and integrated UHD Graphics GPU to provide a platform that, in theory, has an eight-core and sixteen-thread capability.

The system is enclosed in an oddly wedge-shaped enclosure that is designed to sit on the desk rather than to be mounted on the rear of a monitor.

More colourful than most office PCs and with more of a game console vibe, the AD08 might look less out of place in a child's bedroom. But despite looking like a powerhouse on paper, the AD08 doesn’t perform that well when presented with tasks that require heavy multi-threading or raw GPU performance.

That it manages a multi-processing ratio of just 6.07 with sixteen threads might hint that the CPU doesn’t have the power budget or the thermal management to deliver its full potential. The GPU is also very lacklustre compared to the latest Intel Iris Xe integrated GPU, which is three times as fast in some operations.

Thankfully, Acemagic makes an AMD version of the same machine, the AM08 Pro, that has a Ryzen 9 processor and Radeon 680M GPU. It's not only cheaper but substantially quicker than the AD08. And, if you like this form factor, we’d recommend you get one of those.

Read our full Acemagic AD08 review

Best mini PC for conferencing rooms

11. GMKtec NucBox M2

GMKtec has a reputation for making good quality small systems that won’t break the bank, and the NucBox M2 is a prime example of precisely that.

Built around the Intel Core i7-11390H mobile platform, this tiny NUC-sized system is designed to sit on the edge of a desk or be monitor-mounted to provide access to office applications and other productivity tools, and it is available for under $400. That’s not for a barebones solution but a fully operational system with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and Windows 11 pre-installed.

The highlights of this design are its metal case, easy access to the interior and relatively straightforward upgrades to memory and storage. It even has a spare M.2 2042 slot for adding additional space above that available through the main M.2 2280 slot.

What could have been better was the USB ports that are all blue in colour, though one is a USB 2.0, and both USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports are on the front and both Type-A ports. That the only USB-C port is Gen 1 was a definite oversight.

USB port confusion aside, this is a capable mini system that covers many of the typical roles these devices are used, but inexpensively. With its size and power, we found it ideal for conferencing rooms, but it could easily be used as a replacement desktop PC, media server, or firewall, to mention just a few.

Read our full GMKtec NucBox M2 review

Best mini PC workstation

12. Khadas Mind

With so many brands simply turning out NUC clones, the Khadas Mind machine is a radical departure but not a cheap option. The processor platform is the same as Intel put in the NUC 13 Pro, providing this system with good performance for a machine with a mobile CPU and integrated GPU.

However, the designers of this system decided not to follow the NUC pattern and created a modular design with a proprietary Mind Link connection that extends the PCI Express bus to other components. Initially, the Mind Dock adds lots of ports, but without the bandwidth limitations of Thunderbolt or USB-C. The Mind Graphics module will attach a discrete graphics card when it becomes available.

The examples of the Khadas Mind base and Dock we got sent to review were stunningly engineered and made, demonstrating a level of engineering normally reserved for aircraft or space capsules.

The catch, as with anything this nicely made, is the price. Khadas makes the pricing more complicated by launching the system through Kickstarter. Those who pledge now are promised that the machines will ship in October, and discounts can be found for bundle purchasers.

This isn’t a cheap NUC solution, but it does offer the potential for enhanced performance in the future for those who like to gamble a little.

Read our full Khadas Mind review

Best mini PC for ports

13. GMKtec NucBox K2

Brother of the GMKtec M2, the K2 is an AMD NUC that uses the excellent Zen3+ architecture of the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS. It is the same processor as the Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS uses, an ideal choice for a powerful and quiet NUC.

What the K2 offers is a minimalist case design with easy access to the memory and storage for upgrades and an excellent selection of external ports. It has four 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a single USB 2.0 and a USB 4.0 Type-C port that doubles as a Thunderbolt port and can transfer data at up to 40Gbps. This NUC has the port selection for maximum flexibility and connectivity, almost bar none. With those options, the K2 would make a great media centre with external drives, but there aren’t many jobs this machine couldn’t handle. 

Internal access is via a lid that pulls off, and once inside, you can upgrade the RAM to 64GB and the M.2 slot to an NVMe of at least 4TB, and possibly bigger when they become available. The K2 is small, mostly silent and powerful for its tiny stature, and the only complaint we had with the review hardware was that it had a PCIe 3.0 NVMe pre-installed and not a PCIe 4.0 flavoured one.

Read our full GMKtec NucBox K2 Mini PC review  

Best mini PC for video editing

14. Minisforum UM790 Pro

The Minisforum UM790 Pro Mini PC impresses with its compact design and powerful performance. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and AMD Radeon 780M GPU, it excels in processor and graphics-intensive tasks, including gaming and 4K video editing. 

The machine's 32GB DDR5 dual-channel RAM (expandable to 64GB) and dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots (1TB installed) ensure fast data access and storage capacity. The UM790 Pro offers versatile connectivity, VESA mounting compatibility, and effective cooling. Its benchmark scores reflect its exceptional real-world performance, making it just as suitable for creative professionals and gamers as gentler office tasks. 

The design might be plain, but it's practical, emphasizing functionality. While priced in the midrange for a high-end mini PC, its strong performance and features justify the cost, appealing to those seeking powerful performance in a compact form.

Read our full Minisforum UM790 Pro review

Best mini PC for gaming

15. Acemagician AM08 Pro

The Acemagician AM08 Pro AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC stands out for its distinctive triangular design, gaming aesthetics, and solid performance. Ideal for content creators and gaming, it features an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU and AMD Radeon 680M GPU, and in our experience, it handles graphics-intensive tasks and gaming well. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM (upgradeable to 64GB) and 512GB M.2 PCIe NVME SSD (expandable to 2TB) provide more than enough memory and storage.

The machine excels in cooling efficiency and connectivity, offering Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C ports, and HDMI outputs. Its triple 4K display support caters to both gamers and creatives. The design might not appeal to everyone, but it's practical with accessible ports.

We ran multiple benchmarks and real-world scenarios which you can read in our review. But overall, the AM08 Pro effortlessly handled the lot, with a real proficiency for multitasking and resource-intensive applications. While pricier than some competitors, we really liked the build quality on show here. And its cooling, expandability, and versatile performance make it a great pick for those seeking a mini PC best-suited to demanding content creation tasks and gaming. 

Read our full Acemagician AM08 Pro review  

Best mini PC tower

16. Chuwi CoreBox 5th

PC makers occasionally like to make cute miniature versions of recognizable hardware, and the Chuwi CoreBox 5th is a tiny mini tower, copying the previous CoreBox 4th. This styling makes the machine bigger than a typical NUC, but the extra space inside is occupied with an extensive cooling system and fan, delivering an almost silent system.

The only SKU sports a spritely Intel Core i5-13500H (12 cores, 16 threads), 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 512GB NMVe M.2 drive. While the CPU isn’t socketed, the memory and storage can both be upgraded, and it is possible to have 64GB of memory and 2TB of storage if desired.

The other desirable aspect of this design is that it has no less than seven USB ports, although they’re all USB 3.2 Gen 1, and there are no Gen 2 capable ports. It also has a 2.5GbE LAN port and WiFi6, providing plenty of potential for it to be a media server with external USB storage.

The Intel 13th-generation processor gives the Chuwi CoreBox 5th a significant performance edge over mini systems based on older architectures. However, it’s still not a match for the latest AMD Ryzen silicon used by other makers.

Read our full Chuwi CoreBox 5th Mini PC review  

Best mini PC with Intel i9 mobile chip

17. Geekom Mini IT13

Geekom has a series of machines using the same case and general layout but different Intel chip generations. Therefore, on the outside, the Mini IT13 looks exactly like the IT12 and IT11, with the true differences being on the inside.

What makes this one stand out is that it uses the Intel Core i9-13900H (14 cores, 20 threads), one of the most powerful mobile chips Intel makes. From that standpoint alone, many people would be interested in the IT13, but before they rush off and buy one, there are a few caveats to this design that somewhat take the gloss off it.

For starters, we’ve seen faster machines, especially those using AMD Ryzen 7 and 9 CPUs, but we’ve also seen faster Intel-based mini PC systems. What all these high-performance machines had in common was DDR5 memory, whereas the IT13 only uses DDR4. That choice impacts the level of system bandwidth, which in turn limits GPU throughput.

As specifications go, this is an excellent unit, and the internal access allows for a good selection of upgrade options. But it isn’t as quick as the processor spec implies, making other machines in this series better value, and the asking price is on the high side. For even more higher performance, we recommend the similar but superior Geekom AS 6.

Read our full Geekom Mini IT13 review  

Best mini PC with NAS

18. T-Bao MiniPC + NAS R3

The T-Bao MiniPC + NAS R3 offers a unique blend of compact computing and network storage capabilities. In our tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor proved to offer an excellent balance between price and performance for this style of machine. And while it might not be a powerhouse, it's a really versatile performer for everyday users.

We really like the design here, which seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics, and a small footprint that makes it perfect for just about any workspace. But for us, the highlight feature is the provision for two 3.5-inch HDDs, which lets you rapidly expand storage expansion without altering this stylish mini PC. During our testing, we attached two inexpensive 500GB WD Green Drives, effectively quadrupling the storage size in under two minutes - no tools required. However, we did feel the build quality could be better here, as some flexing of the outer case was needed to correctly align all ports. 

While not designed for intensive tasks, its NAS feature and compact design make it suitable for home or small office setups. The T-Bao MiniPC + NAS R3 is an interesting choice for users seeking computing power and network storage in a single device.

Read our full T-Bao MiniPC + NAS R3 review

Best mini PCs: FAQs

Are there different types of mini pc.

There is a lot of variety when it comes to mini PCs: various sizes are available and they are designed for various use cases. 

Some mini PCs are designed to lay flat under a desk while others have a unique vertical design that allows them to be placed on top of your desk next to your monitor and within arm's reach. You can also completely conceal them behind your monitor if they come with VESA mounting holes.

Today's best mini PCs are a great alternative to bulky full-size desktops and all-in-one systems for all kinds of uses: from administrative workers doing  data entry, to customer service specialists and call center offices, to creative professionals and students learning at home.

What is the best use of a mini PC?

Mini PCs excel at everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, video streaming, and light gaming. You can easily connect them to your TV to play games and watch movies either via a platform like Netflix or through your own media server, with the effectively set acting as a monitor. With specs comparable to mid-range laptops, they don’t have the necessary CPU and GPU to run more resource-intensive apps and games. In those circumstances, it may be worth investing in high-spec devices like the best video editing laptops , which are built for heavy workloads. 

What are the disadvantages of a mini computer?

While the best mini PCs absolutely shine, they’re not without a few downsides. When it comes to specs, mini PCs pale in comparison to modern desktop computers and the very best laptops . While you shouldn't have trouble using most as a space-saving alternative to the best laptops for graphic design or the best laptops for photo editing , it can make it difficult to use hardware-intensive apps and processes, like any of the best video editing software . 

Upgrading those lower-specced internals is usually out of the question. Even some of the best mini PCs can't be expanded with better components (at least, not without some technical knowledge and skill). 

They also need to be run from the mains, so while they’re an excellent portable option, you lack the built-in batteries found in laptops. Due to their form, some users may also experience issues with overheating. Mini PCs also lack peripherals, from screens to optical drives. 

How much RAM do you need for a mini PC?

As with desktop computers and laptops, the best RAM is the most amount of RAM you can get within budget. It will make performance much more fluid, especially if you’re using the mini PC for a lot of tasks. We recommend a bare minimum of 8GB memory, although 16GB and above is preferred.  

Are mini PCs good for gaming?

It all depends on which games you want to play. The very best mini PCs can ably run lightweight or older games - in fact, many use them as emulators. However, they will typically struggle with newer games, like the triple-A offerings from the likes of Rockstar. They simply don’t have the required CPU and GPU to handle them. 

Can you connect a mini PC to a laptop?

Yes, you can connect your mini PC to a laptop and use it as a monitor - but it’s also easy, as many mini PCs lack the required HDMI ports to output to the laptop screen. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by using remote desktop software. 

Are the best mini PCs better than laptops?

It depends how you intend to use your mini computer. While both are highly portable, mini PCs are more so, with a far smaller surface area. If you’re working on the go, be aware of the sometimes limited battery life on laptops - if you’re usually running off the mains, a mini PC may be the better choice.

Laptops serve as a great all-in-one solution with everything you need to work and play. Accessories like the best office keyboards and the best monitors for a dual set-up are optional. They also come with a range of tech specs, with options for everyday computing tasks right up to the best gaming laptops . 

Like a traditional desktop computer, a mini PC is best when used in spaces with easy access to monitors (or TV), keyboards, and other peripherals on hand. For this reason, mini PCs are great for office use, allowing multiple users to access the device in a variety of locations. Cost is also a factor, as mini PCs tend to be cheaper than laptops.

How to choose the best mini PC for you

When choosing which mini PC is best for you, there are several factors to consider - but first, it's important to be sure a mini PC is right for your needs.

Mini PCs, sometimes known as think clients or NUCs, are ideal for light use, such as web browsing and video streaming. Some can even handle casual gaming sessions. But you won't find the raw power offered by the likes of the best mobile workstations .

Despite their name, mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from tiny machines like the Acemagician T8 Plus to the Apple Mac mini, which on the larger size. But they're all considerably smaller than a desktop, so if you're looking for a space-saver, they're ideal. You'll find plenty that even include a VESA mount for attaching the device to monitors to de-clutter the desk. 

If a mini PC is best, consider how you'll be using your machine. In addition to general computer usage, mini PCs have been used as media servers, games emulators, and much more. 

For smooth performance. a good CPU, GPU, and RAM are essential. We've included a selection of AMD- and Intel-powered thin clients here, all capable of delivering speed and performance for a range of uses. 

However, be sure to check your device's ports and connectivity. Some of the best mini PCs pack in plenty of Thunderbolt and USB ports, memory card slots, and HDMI connections, but some are less generous. If portability is a consideration, remember to check dimensions and weight. You'll find these details in our full mini PC reviews. 

How we test the best mini PCs

We've tested thousands of devices, from the best photo editing PCs to best business monitors , including small form NUCs and thin clients. 

A lot of time and care goes into selecting the best mini PCs. Appliance-type mini-PCs often have a metal enclosure to help with passive cooling and more than one wired Gigabit Ethernet port. The best mini PCs are perfect for leaving unattended in a small network cabinet, rack, or locker, where they can be used as fixed-function mini-servers, such as a firewall for an office network or file storage for a small shop.

There's also a class of mini PCs that are small. These range from palm-sized to slightly more significant than a thumb drive, often with an HDMI male connector and built to be attached to the back of a TV or monitor for entertainment or web browsing on a big screen.

As such, selecting a mini PC is no easy task. First, we had to filter them based on size. We started from the tiniest ones, the thumb drive-sized PCs, up to the palm-sized devices, then moving to the TV-box-sized machines. In each size jump, we looked for the usage scenarios for each based on the capabilities of the CPU and amount of RAM and included ports, then we weeded out the ones with sub-par specs; this removed several dozen entries with the same Celeron CPUs and low RAM.

Once we got to the higher-spec entries, the winners started to show up either by expansion capabilities, unique features, or suitability for the purpose. Final filtering by brand name and support considerations is how we ended up with our selection of picks for the best mini PC for home and office.  

As such, when testing which mini PC is best, we study several key areas. This includes build quality and form-factor - we want to see a robust machine, and the best materials available for the cost. This is especially true with mini PCs, as they're designed to be easily carried and used in multiple locations. 

We explore the internal specs of each device, and how they compare with some of the other best mini PCs on the market. As part of this process, we also assess the upgradability of the device - from the options on offer to the ease of creating your perfect mini PC. This includes benchmarking performance of the CPU, GPU, and RAM. We're not necessarily looking for the most powerful mini PC. But we want to see suitable performance relative to a range of uses and budgets.

Ports and connectivity are another area where we look at what's on offer - and how it compares with rival devices. Not everyone will need Thunderbolt 4, but we expect to see adequate slots on a mini PC to increase functionality and flexibility. 

Price is always a consideration. Depending on how you use it, the most expensive mini PC you can buy may not offer genuine value for money. We've curated a selection of mini PCs here, from premium machines to the cheapest mini PC with great performance.

You can read more about our comprehensive testing methods in our guide How we test laptops and desktops: Our review process explained .

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Steve is TechRadar Pro’s B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware. He explores the apps and devices for individuals and organizations that thrive on design and innovation. A former journalist at Web User magazine, he's covered software and hardware news, reviews, features, and guides. He's previously worked on content for Microsoft, Sony, and countless SaaS & product design firms. Once upon a time, he wrote commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

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The best mini PCs in 2024

These are the best mini PCs you can buy right now, based on our testing

• Best mini PC overall
• Best for creatives
• Best for DIY
• Best for office
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best for creatives 4. Best for DIY 5. Best for office 6. How to choose 7. How we test

The best mini PCs might be tiny in comparison to standard-sized rigs but they pack enough power to perform a wide range of tasks — including web browsing, content creation and gaming. These minuscule computers are not only more convenient than enormous PC towers, but they're also super quiet. For some folks, mini PCs could be the perfect personal computer.

Mini PCs range from smaller desktops to stick PCs you can slip into your pocket. Mini PCs also leverage the small, energy-efficient components of laptops to provide you with a surprising amount of power in sizes that can be hidden behind a monitor. With mini PCs made for everything from media streaming to gaming and VR, there are mini stick PCs and mini desktops for almost everyone.

Below, we've listed the best mini PCs for everything from home entertainment to gaming and professional workstations. We'll continue updating and adding to this list as we receive new units to review.

Tony is a senior staff writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iPadOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on Twitter. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

The quick list

Here's a quick overview of the best mini PCs you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. Even if some of the machines listed aren't the latest models available, they still provide plenty of power for whatever you're working on.

The best mini PC overall

The Mac mini M2 is a pint-sized powerhouse that’s cheaper and faster than its predecessor thanks to the speedy M2 chip. The option to upgrade it with an  M2 Pro  ($1,299) sweetens the deal, turning this into a decent Mac for gaming or light photo/video editing. It’s a great mini PC for Mac fans.

Read more below.

The best mini PC for creatives

The Mac Studio M2 is an incremental improvement over its predecessor, delivering more power than ever before in a Mac desktop that still runs quiet and looks good on a desk. But that's not the pitch for the Studio. This is a high-performance Mac desktop that does everything a creative needs it to do.

The best mini PC for tinkerers

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B pushes things to new heights with a more powerful processor, 4K video output and an improved part selection. It offers enormous value for projects ranging from simple to complex, from its enhanced processing and graphics to offering broad compatibility with older accessories.

The best mini PC for the office

Packing plenty of capability into its tiny size and offering a modular solution for offices that want to upgrade often, the Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is a cool twist on the mini PC in the workplace. The mini PC itself is so slim it might get mistaken for a laptop battery pack or a desktop dock.

The best mini PCs to buy now

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

1. Apple Mac mini with M2

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Apple outdid itself with the Mac mini M2, a pint-sized powerhouse that’s cheaper and faster than its predecessor thanks to the speedy M2 chip. The option to upgrade it with an M2 Pro sweetens the deal, turning this into a decent Mac for gaming or light photo/video editing. Best of all, it barely takes up any space on your desk.

Of course, you get more than just speed when you pay for Pro: the entry-level Mac mini with M2 Pro is not only more powerful, but it also has more memory and storage than the entry-level Mac mini, as well as more ports. It’s a great mini PC for Mac fans, one that showcases macOS Ventura to good effect. It also looks great on almost any desk setup. A perfect balance of elegance and power.

Read our full Mac mini M2 review .

2. Apple Mac Studio

The Mac Studio can deliver more power than any Apple computer on the market save the Mac Pro, and it packs it all into a quiet, well-designed chassis that looks good on a desk. It's bigger than the Mac mini, but still discreet enough for any desk setup.

As much as we love seeing Apple silicon put to good use in MacBooks, where its power efficiency helps deliver some of the best battery life in the business, the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra proves that Apple’s chips have the chops to compete with the best desktop PC silicon from Intel and AMD. You're not sacrificing power with this small computer.

Since this is Apple, you’ll have to pay a premium. The Mac Studio’s $1,999 starting price isn’t too bad for what it offers, and that gets you the entry-level model with the same M1 Max chip that's in the 2021 MacBook Pros , which means this mini-computer packs a serious punch. To get a Mac Studio with Apple's top-of-the-line M1 Ultra chip will cost you at least $ 4k , though it's worth it if you want one of the fastest, most powerful Macs on the market.

Read our full Mac Studio review .

3. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

The Raspberry Pi ushered in a new era of DIY tech, and the latest model, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, pushes that to new heights with a more powerful processor, 4K video output and an improved part selection. This $35 Raspberry Pi 4 Model B offers enormous value for projects ranging from simple to complex, from its enhanced processing and graphics to broad compatibility with older accessories.

If you want to do something different with your technology, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is the best mini PC for tinkering and experimenting. Whether you buy it alone or in a kit, the Raspberry Pi is hard to beat.

Since our review, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been updated with a new model that has 8GB of RAM, significantly improving on the 2GB memory of the base model. If you can, get that model over the one we reviewed since it'll run significantly faster.

If the Rasberry Pi is sold out, you can buy the Raspberry Pi 400 All-in-One .

Read our full Raspberry Pi 4 Model B review .

4. Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra

Our new favorite office desktop does a cool disappearing trick, with a funky design that hides the powerful mini PC inside a specially designed monitor stand that turns it into a low-profile all-in-one PC. Packing plenty of capability into its tiny size and offering a modular solution for offices that want to upgrade often, the Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is a cool twist on the mini PC in the workplace.

The mini PC itself is so slim it might get mistaken for a laptop battery pack or a desktop dock, but inside it boasts an Intel Core processor, up to 64GB of RAM and as much as 1TB of storage. It has plenty of ports and performance that puts it squarely among the best productivity-focused mini PCs you can buy.

If the OptiPlex 7070 is sold out, you can purchase the 7090 for $889 at Dell .

Read our full Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra review .

How to choose the best mini PC

Mini PCs range from small project PCs for under $50 (£50/AU$75) to compact desktops that can cost $1,000 or more. Stick PCs are the most versatile, and generally cost between $100 (£100/AU$150) and $200 (£200/$AU300), and will work with most TVs or monitors. Mini PC prices vary considerably based on hardware.

Know what you want: Finding the right mini PC for you starts with knowing what you're looking for. Do you want something small enough to tuck behind a TV as a dedicated streaming box, or are you looking for something with gaming capability? Do you want a basic internet-browsing machine, or do you need serious processing and graphics capability? Our best picks above do a good job of highlighting the use cases different systems are best suited to.

Find the right size: Then there's the question of form factor. Mini PCs are all small, but there is a range of options within the category, from stick PCs small enough to slip in your pocket to desktop towers that are still compact enough to stow out of sight. You'll sacrifice power for a smaller system, but you can still get a capable desktop that's small enough to carry in a backpack, even if you're after gaming capability or workstation performance.

Make sure you like your configuration and upgrade options: Finally, you want to look at configuration options and upgradability. Many mini PCs have two or three configuration options, which can change everything from the amount of included storage to the presence of high-end processors and discrete graphics cards. There's also the question of upgrades. Many of the smallest mini PCs leave no room for future hardware changes, but others are designed to let you add memory or storage, or even outfitted with ports that allow for an external GPU for expanded capability. When in doubt, check our reviews, which include configuration details and will discuss the potential for future upgrades.

How we test the best mini PCs

We put every mini PC we review through a number of benchmark tests and real-world uses to get the clearest picture we can of how well it performs, what uses it's best suited to and what sort of capability you get for the price.

For performance, we use the Geekbench processor test to measure a system's overall processing capabilities. We run custom spreadsheets to see how long it takes to handle large data sets and number-crunching tasks. We also test the file transfer speeds, copying large files to see how long a system takes to copy multimedia files, documents and other content.

To test the graphics capability, we run a number of benchmark tests from 3DMark. When a system has the capability, we'll also run individual game tests and the SteamVR performance test to see how capable a system is at handling the demands of modern gaming.

Most importantly, we spend a ton of time simply using each mini PC for everyday activities. We watch movies, do work, play games, and blast music on the speakers, all to get a better sense of which ones are worth your money.

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Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

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How-To Geek

The best mini pcs of 2023.

From tiny single-board computers to compact gaming machines with room for a full-sized graphics card.

Read update

We've reviewed our recommendations, and these are still the best mini PCs you can buy.

Are you looking to save some space on your desk? If you don't have the room on your setup for a full-sized PC tower, or simply want to go for a more minimalistic look, you should consider a mini PC .

UPDATE: 08/16/2023

Minisforum elitemini um690, apple mac mini m2 (2023), beelink u59 pro intel celeron n5105, intel nuc 13 extreme barebones kit (i9-13900k), raspberry pi 4 model b, buying a mini pc in 2023.

Mini PCs, as the name suggests, are compact versions of standard desktop PCs. Though that might sound like a simple definition, a huge variety of hardware is available within this category. These machines range from sub-$50 single-board hobby machines to desktop replacements that cost thousands of dollars.

Your intended usage and overall budget make a huge difference in picking the right mini PC. For small projects like tinkering with Linux, running a simple file or media server on your local network, or retro gaming, a cheap single-board machine may do the trick.

If you're hoping to replace a standard PC with a mini computer because you're short on space or would rather have a minimal desktop, you can spend a bit more and get something that will still fly through standard tasks like web browsing, responding to email, word processing, and other general office work.

At the pricier end of the spectrum are fully-fledged gaming PCs that can (just about) accommodate a full-sized graphics card. Not only are these expensive, but they may also run hotter than comparable full-sized PCs owing to their cramped innards and reduced airflow. You'll have to sacrifice space to fit a high-end GPU in your mini PC, which may mean stretching the definition of "mini" in this context.

Some mini PCs are available as a kit. If you go this route, you can buy a mini PC enclosure with a motherboard, CPU, and power supply and finish it yourself with your RAM, storage, and peripherals. Be aware that most mini PCs (even those sold as a kit) are not upgradeable in terms of motherboard or CPU, and most don't include the space or PCIe slots for a dedicated GPU.

If you're sticking with smaller form factors, you can do some neat things with your mini PC, such as hiding it from view completely. One solution is to mount the mini PC on the back of your monitor using an aftermarket VESA mount or even a DIY solution.

Despite being relatively budget-friendly, there are some hidden costs to consider when buying a mini PC. This includes the price of your peripherals (a mouse and keyboard), any monitors or TVs you want to use as a display, and any USB hubs you'll need to buy to add missing ports and functionality.

How-To Geek's product recommendations come from the same team of experts that have helped people fix their gadgets over one billion times. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product. Read More »

Best Mini PC Overall: MINISFORUM EliteMini UM690

Looking for a Windows-powered mini PC that ticks almost all of the boxes? Consider the MINISFORUM EliteMini UM690 . Powered by a Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU (with eight cores and 16 threads), this small box of tricks fuses a capable CPU with AMD's integrated Radeon 680M graphics. That means it won't be completely embarrassed regarding occasional 3D applications like light gaming.

Inside the box is 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB of NVMe storage, which makes for a surprisingly peppy desktop machine that should tear through standard desktop tasks like web browsing, office work, coding, and even some photo and video editing work.

The UM690 features support for three simultaneous monitors via its two HDMI outputs and a single USB 4 output (the latter of which can handle up to 8K at 60Hz). On top of this, there are five USB 3.2 gen 2 ports and a single 2.5 gigabit Ethernet port, plus support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Windows 11 Pro is preinstalled out of the box, but you could wipe it and install Linux if you like.

Don't expect the UM690 to fly in games but for desktop tasks, as a media or file server, for emulating older console games, or anywhere you need a PC but don't have a huge amount of space, the UM690 is a solid buy.

A powerful Ryzen 9 6900HX lies at the heart of the MINISFORUM EliteMini UM690, with 32GB of RAM, a 512GB NVMe drive, with fast and plentiful I/O to boot.

Best Mini Apple PC: Mac mini M2 (2022)

The 2022 M2 Mac mini is a shockingly good-value small computer. Equipped with the latest Apple Silicon system-on-chip, the Mac mini could easily be on our list, considering its fantastic value for money. While technically speaking the Mac mini isn't a mini PC, this ARM-based machine can do almost everything its PC rivals can do and even excels in some tasks.

Notably, the M2 chip is far more power efficient than the x86 architecture found in most PCs. In terms of performance to watt, the Apple model will wipe the floor with most competitors, which makes the Mac mini ideal if you value efficiency in terms of both power and thermals. It runs a complete version of macOS and can even handle Windows on ARM using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop .

Be aware that the Mac mini isn't upgradeable, so you're stuck with the RAM and storage capacity you select at checkout. On the back of the unit are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a gigabit Ethernet port, and a standard stereo jack. The machine also comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

The Mac mini is a particularly good buy if you don't own a Mac and simply want a budget-friendly entry point to Apple's ecosystem. Performance in video and photo editing is excellent, and the 10-core GPU flies in 3D applications optimized for Apple's Metal API.

With an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified RAM, a 256GB SSD, and Gigabit Ethernet on-board, the M2 Mac Mini is one of the best-value small computers you can buy.

Best Budget Mini PC: Beelink U59 Pro N5105

A solid mini PC with a surprisingly long list of features, the Beelink U59 Pro isn't going to knock your socks off, but it's one of the best-value mini PCs you can buy today. Beelink makes many different models, and this one is powered by an eleventh-generation Intel Celeron "Jasper Lake" N5105 processor with a modest four cores and four threads.

The chip is a few years old, but it should get you where you want to be if all you're doing is basic desktop computing like web browsing, responding to email, and word processing. Being a bit slow and old, the chip runs cool, which means it's virtually silent in operation. The U59 Pro also has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 500GB solid-state drive.

Perhaps most impressive at this price point is the fact that Windows 11 Pro comes installed. Other noteworthy features include a display output of up to 4K at 60Hz, triple monitor support (with dual HDMI ports), dual gigabit Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and a wall-mount bracket in the box.

The Beelink U59 Pro mini PC only has Intel HD graphics, which will struggle in all but the most basic graphical tasks, making it a poor choice for gaming (unless you're emulating retro consoles). If you need a bit more grunt, consider Beelink's other budget machines, like the Core i5-powered Beelink SEI11 .

With only 4 cores and 4 threads on its Intel Celeron N5105, the U59 Pro is a modest but highly affordable mini PC for general office and computing tasks. It comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, support for three montors, and is almost silent.

Best Mini PC for Gaming: Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit

If you want a small gaming machine, the Intel NUC platform is an attractive prospect. The NUC 13 Extreme is the 2023 iteration of Intel's New Unit of Computing, available in both a barebones kit and "finished" forms. This particular model, the RNUC13RNGI90001 (which just rolls off the tongue) is a barebones kit, so you'll need to buy and install a few extra components yourself.

You get everything except RAM, storage, and a GPU. In the box, you'll find a 13th-generation Intel Core i9 13900K, an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 chip, and a 750W 80+ power supply. Everything comes installed on the included motherboard, which supports up to 64GB DDR5 5600MHz memory, three M.2 storage slots, 10Gb Ethernet, a Wi-Fi 6E wireless card, and a whole heap of USB 3.2 gen 2 and Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Perhaps most important is the Intel NUC 13 Extreme's support for full-sized, triple-slot GPUs that are up to 313mm long, 155mm high, and 63mm thick. This is essential if gaming is your primary use case since integrated graphics simply aren't going to cut it in the latest games.

NUC barebones kits allow you to finish your build to your own specification. You're paying a premium for the form factor and ease of installation, and if you're coming from another machine, you can recycle parts like storage drives, RAM, or even your GPU.

You don't have to worry whether everything will fit, fuss with cable management, or install components like a CPU or motherboard. You can even use the integrated graphics chip until you install your GPU.

This 2023 Intel NUC 13 Extreme kit comes with a Core i9-13900K chip, 750w power supply, and room for a full-sized three slot GPU. Simply add your own storage, RAM, and graphics card.

Best Mini Linux PC: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Almost all of the mini PCs on this list (including our best overall pick ) could be Linux Mini PCs---you just need to install Linux on them. The main exception to this is the Mac mini, though Linux support for Apple's new chips is improving rapidly . With that said, we've gone for a "Mini Linux PC" here that doesn't ship with Windows preinstalled, which means you aren't spending anything on a Windows license (even a cheap OEM copy ).

With that in mind, we chose the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B as our Linux wildcard. It may be a few years old now, but it's absolutely tiny, available for less than $75, and its primary operating system---Raspberry Pi OS---is based on the Debian Linux distribution. The modest Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core ARM-based chip provides enough grunt for basic desktop tasks, and it's coupled with 8GB of DDR4 RAM.

That makes it ideal as a simple desktop computer for browsing the web and basic office tasks, as a means of powering your next retro emulator build , as a power-efficient server, or as a controller for some sort of whacky DIY project . You can use these machines as a networked Time Machine backup , as a proxy server , or simply as a desktop replacement with the 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS .

It's no wonder the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B got our top gong as the best overall Raspberry Pi kit you can buy .

This is peak Raspberry Pi, with all of the components and memory you need to for more advanced applications including use as a desktop replacement with Raspberry Pi OS.

We've reviewed our recommendations, and these are still the best xxxxxxx you can buy.

What are mini PCs?

Mini PCs are much smaller versions of standard desktop PCs. They can come with the same type of processors found in "standard" Windows laptops and desktops, or use ARM-based processors like the Apple M1 or similar. While some mini PCs can be powerful, many are underpowered compared to desktop and laptop alternatives on account of their thermal and power requirements. They are typically not user-upgradeable beyond a few basic components like RAM and storage.

Do mini PCs have graphics cards?

Most mini PCs don't have dedicated GPUs, instead opting for integrated graphics solutions like Intel UHD Graphics or AMD Radeon graphics. This saves on space, heat, and power requirements not to mention cost. That said, some mini PC format like Intel's NUC have enough room to house a full-sized graphics cards.

Are mini PCs good for gaming?

A mini PC with a full-sized graphics card and comparable specifications to a desktop of the same specification should be just as good for gaming, though it's important to understand how smaller enclosures affect heat dissipation. You may find your machine runs hotter or louder than a comparable full-sized gaming desktop, and you'll also need to make sure that the power supply can handle the total power draw with your GPU installed.

Are mini PCs upgradeable?

Mini PCs are rarely upgradeable in terms of CPU and motherboard but many models support RAM and storage upgrades. If your mini PC has room for a full-sized graphics card, this is also upgradeable. There are exceptions like the Mac mini which isn't at all upgradeable or single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi which can only receive storage upgrades via a new SD card.

PCMag editors select and review products independently . If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing .

• The Best Windows Mini PCs for 2024

Some are bare-bones kits. Others are ready to go out of the box, complete with operating system, RAM, and memory installed. Whatever the form, these Windows micro desktops all deliver surprising features, value, and pep for their size.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (2023)

Asus ExpertCenter PN52

acer veriton vero mini

HP Z2 Mini G9

Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit (Raptor Canyon)

MSI Pro DP21

MSI Cubi 5 12M

The term "microcomputer" has its origins in the 1970s—the "micro" of the personal computers emerging then lay in stark contrast to the room-size mainframe beasts of the day. But fast-forward half a century or so, and oh, micro, how you've changed!

Most of the acceleration toward super-small desktop PCs  has happened over the last decade or so. Of course, it's still easy enough to find ordinary business boxes and hulking power towers packed with big  video cards  and multiple platter-based hard drives. But starting with the "small-form-factor" (SFF) PC revolution of the '00s, many desktops have gone from half-size towers to compact cubes to, in their most extreme reduction, sticks not much bigger than a USB flash drive.

A big reason why? Graphics acceleration and other essential features, handled in the past by separate chips or bulky cards, have been subsumed under the CPU . Nowadays, miniaturization is getting to the point where you can't go all that much smaller. You need to leave some space for ports to plug in a thing or two.

Our guide here will explore the nuances of today's smallest PCs. First, we've broken out the best mini PCs for 2024 that we've tested below, according to the usage case. Following that is a detailed breakdown of how to buy the right model for you. We wrap up below that with a chart-style spec breakout of all our top picks.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks, why we picked it.

This is a mini PC fit for a home office, secondary workspace, or small business, and the configuration we reviewed ensures any of those users can get real work done. This compact box starts in the $600 range, but we tested a more capable $909 configuration, which packs an impressive Intel Core i7-13700H processor, 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. Buyers with truly serious workloads to push will want to seek out a larger PC with a workstation-grade or Core i9 chip, and you'll find no discrete graphics in the Mini, but the performance is substantial for a compact PC, especially one under $1,000. While it's not perfect, and limited in what you can upgrade, the IdeaCentre Mini supports multiple monitors, includes a useful selection of ports, and features a nicer-looking design than most.

Who It's For

Those looking to simplify a home-office setup or put together a desk for their small business, but who still need legitimate processing power, will be pleased with the IdeaCentre Mini. A Core i7 H series chip represents near-desktop-level processing muscle (it's the class of chip that goes into power-user laptops), so this PC sits well above the class of mini PC suited merely for digital-signage or kiosk duty. You could set up a similarly quick traditional tower PC for less money, so don't opt for a mini PC unless space constraints are paramount, but this Lenovo effort is an attractive all-purpose solution.

• Decent performance for a low-profile mini PC
• Well-balanced configuration for office use
• Plenty of ports, including a Thunderbolt 4
• Multi-monitor support
• No VESA mount included
• Limited upgrade capability
• A little pricey in test configuration

A fraction larger than the Intel NUCs of old at 2.3 by 4.7 by 5.1 inches (HWD), Asus' ExpertCenter PN52 has something they'll never have—an AMD Ryzen 7 mobile processor. The chip gives the PN52 lively performance, while the chassis delivers easy access and ample upgradability for the class, accommodating up to 32GB of RAM and two M.2 solid-state drives plus a 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive. Our $968 review unit was even boxed up with a keyboard and mouse. If you're not feeling the need for an AMD chip, the newer Core i7 CPU in the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini, our main pick, is even quicker.

Anyone intrigued by the idea of a mini PC should check out the ExpertCenter PN52. Equipped with plenty of ports—ours could drive four 4K monitors or one 8K display—it's overkill for digital signage but a fine choice for Microsoft 365 or other office apps, whether stashed on a corner of a desktop or VESA-mounted behind a monitor. It's even suitable for light creative work with programs like Adobe Photoshop. It lacks a microSD memory card slot, but otherwise, it's hard to find fault with this Asus.

• Compact, port-packed design
• Robust mobile H-series Ryzen CPU
• Easy access to storage slots and bays
• Reasonable pricing
• Keyboard and mouse included
• No SD card slot

This fleet-oriented Veriton business model is a well-built and especially slim PC with snappy performance for its size, and a load of ports. That alone makes it worthwhile in this category, with seven USB ports (though only one USB-C) and VESA mounting support adding versatility. Plus, it comes with a keyboard and mouse, making it and its 12th Gen Intel processor ready to plug and play.

If you and your business need a lot of ports in a small desktop, plus steady performance, this is a nice little package. It's not the best value, a bit expensive for the components, but it is a quick and efficient space-saving PC. If you're not one to tinker and have the budget, you could do much worse than deploying this box in one small office or a hundred cubicles.

• Admirable slim design, with VESA mount option
• Decent performance for its size
• Seven USB ports
• Included keyboard and mouse
• Only one USB-C port
• Expensive for the component loadout

Most desktop workstation buyers want tons of expandability and upgradability. HP's Z2 Mini G9 doesn't have those, but it has awesome performance, impressive connectivity, and surprising serviceability for a PC only 2.7 by 8.3 by 8.6 inches big. Though it can hide under a desk or behind a monitor with an optional VESA mount, the Z2 Mini accommodates the 125-watt processors you'll find in full-size towers, such as our test unit's flagship Intel Core i9-12900K, and an industry-standard graphics card. The latter must be a half-length, half-height GPU powered by the PCI Express slot, but the 12GB Nvidia RTX A2000 in our review system is certainly no slouch.

The Z2 Mini G9 carries the independent software vendor (ISV) certifications of its bigger desktop brothers and HP's ZBook mobile workstations, making it a great choice for 2D and light 3D design and CGI rendering as well as video editing, dataset analysis, and scientific and engineering apps. Up to 64GB of memory and 8TB of storage give you plenty of headroom, while two "flex banks" can be configured with a dizzying array of ports. Apparently nobody told it it wasn't a tower.

• Compact VESA-compatible design
• Impressive performance
• Easily serviceable, even the graphics card
• Ample connectivity
• Modular I/O ports
• Can get louder than expected
• External power brick

Intel has passed the NUC flag on to Asus, but its last-hurrah NUC 13 Extreme remains on the market for now. It is expensive for a mini PC (our flagship configuration with a blazing 13th Generation Core i9 CPU was $1,549). It's also downright huge for a mini PC—or rather, a small-form-factor (SFF) tower measuring 13.3 by 5.1 by 12.5 inches (HWD), actually larger than SFF gaming desktops like the Falcon Northwest Tiki and Corsair One i300. But that relatively jumbo case makes room for not only a heavyweight processor but something no mini PC can fit—one of the latest 12-inch, triple-slot graphics cards for frame rates that reach hardcore gaming heaven.

Sold as a bare-bones kit (you'll need to supply your own GPU, memory, and solid-state storage as well as a copy of Windows), the NUC 13 Extreme challenges you with a complex disassembly and installation process but rewards you with console-beating gaming in a package barely bigger than a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. It's a nifty DIY alternative to boutique SFF gaming rigs.

• New small-form-factor design
• Room for a full-length, three-slot graphics card
• Intel 13th Gen desktop CPU delivers impressive performance
• Sold as a bare-bones kit
• External Wi-Fi antennas
• Uses mobile DDR5 memory

Geekom's AS6 delivers better-than-expected performance in a small package, with the supporting features to back it up. We rarely say many users shopping for a mini PC don't need as much muscle as what this punchy box contains, but our review unit features an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, 32GB of memory, and a 2TB SSD. You even have modest graphics power in the form of an AMD Radeon 680M GPU. For $1,009 as tested, that's a fair deal, and it supports up to four displays and includes a lot of ports. You can get real work done on this little system, and it takes up much less space than a traditional tower.

If saving space is a priority, but you still need a machine to get real work done, the AS6 is a smart pick. You'll find cheaper Geekom configurations for shoppers who don't need this much memory or storage from their small system, as mini PCs tend to be a budget-oriented category. If you require the level of CPU muscle a Ryzen 9 HX delivers, you'll also enjoy the multi-monitor support and connectivity. (It's also easier to pack up and take if needed than a power-user laptop or mini-tower.) It's a decent fit for a tight home office or unorthodox workspace, too.

• Small footprint for an HX-series-processor mini PC
• Snappy CPU and GPU performance
• Loads of ports for its size
• Supports up to four monitors
• Decent storage-expansion potential
• Spotty U.S. availability of tested Ryzen 9 configuration
• So-so documentation for upgrades
• 2TB ceiling on SATA and M.2 drive upgrades

It's bulkier than an Intel NUC Pro (2.2 by 8 by 8.2 inches), but only one-tenth the size of the midtowers that dominate the budget desktop market. Yet MSI's Pro DP21 delivers surprisingly perky performance in a petite package that can rest on your desk horizontally, perch on edge in the included stand, or hide behind a monitor or cling to the underside of your desk thanks to a VESA mount. It also starts at just $329, with our review unit ringing up at $471 with a quad-core Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid-state drive, Windows 11 Home, and a basic USB keyboard and mouse.

If you're on a budget and not into the hobbyist aspect of bare-bones kits, the DP21 is a great way to get into mini PCs. The four antique USB 2.0 ports on the front panel aren't too useful, but you get four USB 3.2 ports (three Type-A, one Type-C), 4K HDMI and DisplayPort monitor connectors, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio jacks around back. Inside, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth share the space for up to 64GB of RAM, two 2.5-inch drives plus an M.2 SSD, and even an Intel 12th Gen CPU upgrade instead of the usual fixed mobile processor. What's not to like?

• Compact, VESA-mountable design
• Well-priced
• Peppy Core i3 processor
• Ample connectivity including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth
• Easily upgradable
• Not the smallest mini PC

The Cubi 5 12M loads up on the latest supporting hardware, such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Thunderbolt 4. For all that, the Cubi 5 12M costs just $100 more than the previous holder of this position. If you don't necessarily need the full-desktop-grade power of the MSI Pro DP21 but rather need more current supporting features, this is a smart place to start your search.

If you're short on desk space but want a PC with the latest in connectivity and enough power to drive your basic computing needs, the MSI Cubi 5 12M is an excellent alternative to the more powerful MSI Pro DP21. For some of you, laptop-grade processing is enough to get through basic computing tasks, and it's the supporting features that are more important. For that, we recommend the MSI Cubi 5 12M.

• Compact design
• Quiet operation
• Enough oomph to run office apps and stream video
• Room to expand RAM
• Plethora of ports
• No free M.2 slot or SATA connection to expand internal storage
• Lacks an SD card slot
• Keyboard and mouse not included

Buying Guide: The Best Windows Mini PCs for 2024

We're seeing some clear stratification in the market for tiny desktop PCs. The very smallest PCs might be termed the "stick class," pioneered by the Atom CPU-powered  Intel Compute Stick  we first reviewed in early 2015 (and again in its refreshed  Cherry Trail Atom  and  Core m3  forms), followed by similar sticks from Asus, Azulle, Lenovo, and others.

You can still find stick PCs on the market, but these are suitable only for display/signage use or extremely basic applications. After a promising debut those years back, they have not seen all that much evolution or momentum. They have failed to have a major impact; the form factor is just too small to grow beyond those use cases.

The models next up in size were much more dynamic, a bunch we traditionally termed the "NUC class." NUC stands for "Next Unit of Computing," a longtime initiative started by Intel to spur the development of very small Windows-based desktop PCs using its mobile-centric processors. Over the last decade or so, the chip giant released successive series of NUC-branded mini PC kits, and several of the traditional PC component makers have followed suit with similar models.

Most of the "classic" NUC mini PCs were around 5 or 6 inches square, though later NUCs expanded the footprint to wider and taller designs, with commensurate increases in the performance level. Intel shuttered its NUC program in 2023 (stocks of some of its latest NUC models remain on the market for now), but Asus has picked up the NUC-brand torch and is keeping the name alive. They and other PC makers continue to deliver mini PCs with decent power, plus some that push the boundaries of the platform.

Separate from those is a host of PCs that are undeniably small but follow their own shape and size rules. Zotac, a major player in small PCs (and one of the category's unsung innovators), offers a huge range of Zbox PCs that range in size from "classic NUC" size on upward. Shuttle, too, is another small-PC pioneer, offering machines in a host of shapes mostly nowadays for business and industrial audiences. And on the macOS side of things, the venerable  Apple Mac mini  is a sleek, square silver box with rounded edges that saw a big update in 2023. Like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro , it received Apple's homegrown M1 and M2 processors in recent years, greatly increasing its performance.

Should You Buy a Bare-Bones or Fully Configured Mini PC?

Not all mini PCs ship as complete systems. With some models, you get what amounts to a PC kit: a tiny chassis with a motherboard pre-installed. (In some cases, a soldered-on processor is in place, as opposed to a socketed one.) Plus, in most cases, wireless connectivity is built in. To complete the kit, you have to shop for and install a storage drive (a hard drive and/or a solid-state drive, depending on the model) and RAM modules, and install your operating system.

This arrangement is what's called in reseller lingo a "bare-bones PC." You'll want to make sure you know what you are getting. In some cases, a given mini system is sold in bare-bones form, as well as in pre-configured versions with storage, RAM, and Windows present.

You need to factor those parts and a Windows license (unless you plan to use Linux) into the total cost. The parts you will need, mind you, will be small: the kind that you'd typically find in a laptop, not a desktop. Many small PCs like these make use of DDR4 or DDR5 SO-DIMMs—laptop-style RAM modules—for their main memory instead of full-size desktop DIMMs.

The form factor of the storage varies more. Depending on the mini PC you are looking at, you may need a 2.5-inch drive (a solid-state or hard drive, the size that goes into most full-size laptops), or a slimmer variety of SSD that's known as an  M.2 SSD . Such drives are the size and shape of a stick of chewing gum. Check out our guide to these complicated drives at the link; if you need to install an M.2 SSD on a bare-bones desktop, you need to know about some interface/bus and sizing subtleties before you shop. (It's easy to buy an incompatible drive.)

If a given system is a bare-bones kit, you'll need to get more than a little hands-on with it to get it up and running. But a kit gives you maximum flexibility in terms of component selection. That said, one advantage of a pre-configured system, apart from the easier setup, is the fact that Windows or macOS comes installed; you won't need to install and update the OS and its drivers.

Should You Get Dedicated or Integrated Graphics in Your Mini PC?

Most mini PCs are as "mini" as they are because they rely on the basic-grade graphics acceleration built into the CPU to power their video outputs—no separate graphics card is involved. This integrated graphics silicon will suffice for productivity work and video playback. A few outlying models, though, do incorporate the same kind of separate, dedicated mobile graphics chips that appear in gaming laptops. A few compact workstation desktops even make use of Nvidia's professional-grade graphics and up to Intel Xeon processors for high-power, ISV-certified tasks.

Some of the larger Intel NUC models included discrete mobile and desktop GPUs. That means well-above-average graphics performance in a system this size. These "Extreme" Intel NUCs made room for a dual-slot graphics card up to 12 inches long. That opens up some serious productivity and gaming power, but the NUC Extremes take you out of the true "mini" size category, and they're only available as end-of-life models at this point. It's all relative. We'll have to watch for some newer models, such as the forthcoming Asus ROG NUC , to carry on the trend.

The thing is, if you're sticking with a truly small PC, a dedicated graphics chip is seldom an option, simply because of space and thermal design reasons. We'll see what this year brings in this department, but a traditional gaming PC will always be your best bet to maximize power for serious gaming.

Mini PC Connections: What Do You Need?

Some mini PCs include mounting kits that let you attach them to the back of an LCD  monitor . Check for that feature if space savings of that kind is important to you. And check the back of your monitor for mounting holes, which, if present, normally comply with the VESA mounting standard.

Also, check for 802.11 Wi-Fi (wireless networking) of some flavor. Most micro PCs include at least that as a standard feature (and most also incorporate Bluetooth), but double-check that the system or kit doesn't require the purchase of a separate Wi-Fi card in the Mini-PCI Express or M.2 form factor. Some do.

USB and video outputs may seem like obvious things to look for, but with smaller PCs like these, the number provided can be less than you may be used to. Check for enough of each for the peripherals you need to connect.

Also check for multi-monitor support if that is a factor for you. Some small PCs are designed explicitly for digital signage and may support more concurrent displays than you might expect from a little system. Note, though, that these models may emphasize video outputs in place of other connections, or indeed, even much in the way of CPU power.

Which CPUs Should You Look for in a Mini PC?

You'll see a variety of mobile-grade CPUs in the small PCs out there, ranging from Intel Celeron and Pentium chips (very basic, and good at best for simple productivity work, e-mailing, and web browsing) up to Core i5 and i7 (and in a few cases, i9) processors that can do some modest media-crunching and rendering work. You must know, however, if you are looking at a mobile-grade CPU (the kind used in laptops) or a desktop-strength chip. The size of the PC isn't always a good predictor of that. (That said, the very smallest PCs will always use mobile chips.)

How to tell? Most of the mini PCs on the market make use of Intel silicon, and the dead giveaway whether you're looking at a mobile CPU or a desktop one is usually the letter at the end of the processor's number. Look for a "T" or a "K," or no letter at all, as a dead giveaway for a desktop chip (for example, Core i5-13400T), or a "U" or "Y" (or possibly a "G3," "G5," or "G7") for a mobile one. With the chip family and generation being equal, you can generally expect more muscle (usually a consequence of more cores and higher base clocks) from the desktop version of, say, a Core i5 than from a mobile Core i5. In addition, Intel chips ending in "H" are a higher-powered grade of mobile processor, occupying the middle ground between the mainstream mobile chips and all-out socketed desktop chips. They are uncommon in mini desktops, but not unheard of; one of our favorite selections, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini , packs a 13th Gen Core i7 H-series CPU.

You'll also find some occasional AMD flavors as well, such as the embedded-class AMD Ryzen V1605B in the ECS Liva Q3 Plus and even the Ryzen 9 6900HX in the potent Geekom AS6 . Intel also launched a new Core Ultra mobile platform ; these haven't shown up in mini desktops just yet but, like other mobile processors, should eventually. Their onboard AI-ready neural processing units (NPUs) may prove useful to desktop users.

What to glean from that mobile-versus-desktop insight? Our benchmark testing will quantify the trends, but none of the mobile-grade chips in these small PCs is a proper substitute for a desktop chip if you're a heavy multitasker, or a media pro who needs real processing muscle, say, to convert lots of video or photo files from one format to another. In most cases, the CPU is the single biggest factor in the cost of a mini PC, so keep an eye on the performance numbers in our reviews for a relative idea of what you are getting.

Rule of thumb? For light office work, you can get by with a mobile or desktop Core i3-based mini PC, but you'll want to err on the side of a higher-end, desktop-strength Core chip if you'll need extra pep for serious multitasking, file conversions, heavy calculations, or multimedia content manipulation.

So, What's the Best Mini PC to Buy?

Check out the spec breakout below for our latest mini PC recommendations, which parallel the models we outlined above. If you're shopping for a small desktop to save money, you'll also want to check out our picks for the  top cheap desktops .

If you'd like to go a bit bigger, head on over to our top choices for standard-size  desktops , which include some small-form-factor PCs, or see our guide to the  top all-in-one desktops , which tend to be trim and feature built-in displays.

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About Matthew Buzzi

I’m one of the consumer PC experts at PCMag, with a particular love for PC gaming. I've played games on my computer for as long as I can remember, which eventually (as it does for many) led me to building and upgrading my own desktop. Through my years here, I've tested and reviewed many, many dozens of laptops and desktops, and I am always happy to recommend a PC for your needs and budget.

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The best mini PCs — compact power at your fingertips

Mini PCs offer a compact alternative to traditional desktop computers. As long as you have the right peripherals available, you can move mini PCs around to wherever you want, plugging them into available monitors or TVs for immediate availability. That makes them useful for flexible work situations, traveling presentations, LAN parties, and a variety of other tasks. Here are our favorite mini PCs of the year so far.

If you want to go even smaller, consider taking a look at our list of the best stick PCs as well.

Apple Mac Mini

High-end power in a tiny footprint.

• Still very compact
• M2 Pro boosts the graphics
• Lots of storage options
• Stays amazingly quiet and cool
• Fantastic port selection
• Very affordable base configuration
• Base configuration has slower SSD
• Not user upgradable

The Mac Mini M2 is a stupendously powerful miniature PC, sporting the same M2 processor that you can find in some of Apple's best MacBooks. There are even options for higher-end configurations like the M2 Pro and up to 32GB of RAM. Storage options are expansive, with up to 8TB available for those willing to pay extra, although you can always augment a more bare-bones system with an external hard drive .

Starting at $600, the Mac Mini is relatively affordable too — although its top configurations do get rather pricey. This system runs cooler and quieter then MacBook Pro models, and if you have a monitor already, setting yourself up with a latest-generation Mac Mini is a breeze. It supports the latest Thunderbolt ports, so you can connect all your accessories, no matter what connector they use, and utilize them at full speed.

This mini PC is understated and very trim too, so you can slot it into a desk or even between a few books on a shelf — just be sure it has enough airflow to stay cool during operation.

Beelink U59 Mini PC

Best budget mini pc.

• Very compact
• Affordable price
• Plenty of storage space
• Weak performance

For a super-compact system with enough performance to outstrip any stick PC, the Beelink U59 does a great job. It's very affordable, costing not much more than you would pay if you just slapped together a Raspberry Pi box, but with the power of a real Intel x86 CPU with four cores. It's not going to play the latest AAA games, but as a home media server, CAD box, Zoom machine, download server, or anything else that doesn't run high-end applications, it's perfect.

It comes with Ethernet, HDMI, and USB ports built-in, so there are plenty of connection options for accessories and local networking. You can also connect over Bluetooth 4.0, or Wi-Fi 5. These aren't cutting-edge features, but they're the kind of bare-bones connectivity options that make this a fully functioning mini PC. It's vastly cheaper and more capable than most budget laptops too, so if you have a screen you can plug this into and just need a little system for the basics, the Beelink U59 is a great choice.

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Apple Mac Studio

The best mini pc for creatives.

• Incredible performance
• Quiet no matter what you do
• Understated design
• Lots of ports
• Very expensive

The Mac Studio M2 Ultra is Apple's flagship miniature desktop computer, and though it isn't as diminutive as the Mac Mini, it's vastly more powerful. Featuring the high-end M2 Ultra processor with a massive 60-core GPU, this is the system for those who need incredible performance in a desktop machine that has a miniature footprint. This system can rival even the much larger M2 Mac Pro in a much more compact design.

Despite all that power, this system performs incredibly quietly. The fans barely spin up even when it's working hard thanks to the impressive efficiency of Apple's M2 silicon. It also comes with a great port selection, including multiple Thunderbolt 4 connectors, a pair of traditional USB-A ports, an HDMI output, a headphone jack, and support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. If you prefer wireless, there's Wi-Fi 6E support, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting all your wireless accessories.

This is the ultimate system for heavy multitaskers. This system can support as many as three 8K displays simultaneously, or up to eight 4K displays. If you've always wanted to sit in front of a huge bank of monitors, this is the PC to do it with.

Geekom Mini PC AS6

Best mini pc for casual gaming.

• Capable GPU for casual gaming
• Excellent connectivity
• Fast CPU and memory
• Expensive for a mini PC

For a mini PC with real power for gaming or demanding creative applications, the Geekom Mini PC AS6 is an awesome design. It features an AMD Ryzen 7735H processor with eight cores and 16 threads. It's based on older Zen 3+ architecture, but it's on a 6nm process node and has a high clock speed, so it offers impressive performance in games and applications. That's paired up with 32GB of DDR5 memory, which is more than you'll find in a lot of full-size desktop PCs.

The Radeon 680M is a capable mobile gaming chip that isn't going to get you playing Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, but in more casual games, it has plenty of power for high frame rates and detail settings. It'll easily outstrip the typical onboard GPUs and runs efficiently too, so heat buildup isn't too extreme. The fans can get a little noisy during extensive gaming sessions, though.

Connectivity on this mini PC is also excellent, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, as well as USB 4 and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connections. It also has DisplayPort and HDMI outputs for external displays, plus traditional USB-A for accessories.

Lenovo Ideacentre mini desktop

Best mini pc for the office.

• Powerful processor
• Great array of ports
• Very slim design
• Lacks dedicated GPU

The Lenovo Ideacentre mini dekstop packs ATX-size desktop power into a chassis that's just an inch-and-a-half thick. It has a Core i7-13700H CPU ,which brings a staggering 14-cores to the compact mini PC market. Combine that with 16GB of DDR4 memory and a half a terabyte of SSD space, and you have a snappy and responsive system that's perfectly suited for running demanding office applications.

This is effectively a Mac Mini PC for Windows users. It's the same style of super-compact, understated, highly connective computer, but with Windows 11 loaded up instead of MacOS. It's clean and professional, with an array of USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt ports. There's Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 for fast networking too.

There's no dedicated GPU, so this isn't great for gaming or 3D design work, but for everything else, this mini PC is one of the best.

Intel NUC Pro 13

The best intel nuc mini pc.

• Silent operation
• Great 13th-gen performance
• Customizable memory and storage
• No USB-C power cable

Intel might be moving away from making first-party NUCs, but one of its last ones is a real gem. It features a 13th-generation CPU with 12 cores and a high clock speed for impressive performance in such a compact design. It has a terabyte of SSD storage, giving you all the space you need for a range of applications, and with 32GB of RAM, this is a system that will start up fast and remain responsive no matter how long you're using it for and how many browser tabs you open.

It's completely free of fans, so it operates silently even when you're pushing it, and it has a great number of connection options and ports. There's Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, a headphone jack, and a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K monitor outputs. It supports up to 7.1 channel audio, and it has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. This is a mini PC that has it all outside of a big GPU.

If you need a powerful little system, you can't go wrong with the Intel NUC 13 Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are PCs with a compact form that are made to easily fit in small spaces where a full PC tower couldn't. They are also easily transportable if you need to move around between different workspaces or rooms. Finally, they are designed to provide most, if not all, of the capabilities of a full desktop PC.

Note that this differs from a stick PC, which is a smaller device made to plug into TVs or monitors, and all-in-ones, which combine a desktop computer and monitor into one device.

Mini PC specs can often soar as high as any desktop PC (although they aren't as friendly for modding or upgrades), so they can be very good if you are willing to pay for a high-end version. However, mini PCs are also a strong choice if you want to save money on something simpler than the standard desktop PC. This requires a compromise on specs like storage and RAM, though.

Since mini PCs can vary significantly, start by thinking about your needs. Do you need something that can mimic a traditional desktop PC at work? Do you need compatibility with Apple devices? Do you want to save money and focus on portability?

Take a look at the models above and see which closely matches your wants and needs, and then determine how well it first into your budget.

This is another choice that will depend on your own needs. Getting a recent-generation Intel 12 or 13th-generation CPU is a good idea. For AMD, Ryzen 5000, 6000, or 7000 are all good choices. You'll want to check reviews for individual mini PCs, as their performance can vary dramatically depending on cooling.

You certainly can, as some gamers prefer a compact PC to take with them on the road for LAN gaming. Gamers may have to put in a little more work -- and money -- into outfitting a mini PC with their desired components, but it's definitely possible.

First, look to see if the mini PC is bundled with anything. Some already include a mouse and keyboard. If not, that's where you should start -- our wireless keyboard guide can help.

If your workspace doesn't already have a monitor ready for a PC, then you will also need to choose a monitor . A set of speakers may be a good idea for your workspace as well, and you may like to include an external hard drive for more expansive storage.

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If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not making the Internet a better place with the latest tech news, Tyler is working in the eco and investment world, writing fiction, or waiting for hiking weather.

The Apple Mac Mini is a unique desktop computing option, as it comes in a small form factor that won’t take up much space on a desk. It’s also part of Apple’s new Apple Silicon lineup, which means newer models will pack quite a punch when it comes to performance. Apple’s popularity usually keeps its products from seeing substantial discounts, but we’ve found some out there. A couple could be considered some of the best Apple deals you’ll come across today. If you’re simply looking for a deal on a Mac, consider some iMac deals or MacBook deals, but if you’re sold on some savings for a pint-sized PC that fits within the Apple software ecosystem, read onward for the best Mac Mini deals worth shopping today. Apple education pricing for new Macs and iPad -- multiple price points

Whether you're a newly accepted college student, returning student, faculty, staff, or homeschooling teacher, of any grade level, Apple offers its education pricing program for discounted hardware rates. That means you can grab an Apple Mac Mini for great prices that won't empty your wallet or bank account before the school year. A bevy of devices are included, not just the Mac Mini, such as MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, displays, and beyond.

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We’re on hand with a look at the best VR headset for PC. It’s possible to spend thousands of dollars on a VR headset as well as just a few hundred bucks. Of course, in many cases, you get what you pay for so it could be a better idea to invest if you can. That’s why we’ve picked out a variety of different VR headsets so that you can easily pick out the right one to suit your budget and needs. Take a look below at what we recommend and be ready to enjoy some truly immersive gaming in no time. The best VR headset for PC in 2024

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Les meilleurs mini-PC sont peut-être petits, mais ils sont suffisamment puissants pour tout faire incluant la navigation sur Internet. Ces petits ordinateurs sont plus pratiques et silencieux que les énormes PC. En termes de conception, les mini-PC peuvent glisser dans votre poche. Ainsi, nous proposons les 12 meilleurs des mini-PC que vous pouvez vous procurer sur le marché de la technologie informatique.

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• Puce M1 conçue par Apple offrant un gain de performances spectaculaire au niveau du processeur centr...
• CPU 8 cœurs jusqu’à 3 fois plus rapide pour s’acquitter plus vite que jamais des tâches les plus com...
• GPU 8 cœurs avec des performances jusqu’à 6 fois plus rapides dans les apps et les jeux aux graphism...

Le Mac mini conçu par Apple offre des performances spectaculaires au niveau du processeur central, du processeur graphique et de l’apprentissage automatique. La CPU dispose de 8 cœurs jusqu’à 3 fois plus rapides pour s’acquitter plus vite que jamais des tâches les plus complexes.

De même, la GPU est composée de 8 cœurs avec des performances jusqu’à 6 fois plus rapides dans les apps et les jeux aux graphismes sophistiqués. En plus, le neural engine avec 16 cœurs représente un apprentissage automatique avancé.

Puis, ce petit appareil possède 8 Go de mémoire unifiée, suffisant pour tout faire de façon fluide et rapide. Son stockage SSD ultra-rapide lance les applications et ouvre les fichiers en un instant. Enfin, ce Mac mini peut se connecter rapidement par la nouvelle génération Wi-Fi 6. Sans oublier qu’il dispose de deux ports Thunderbolt/USB 4, un port HDMI 2.0, deux ports USB-A et Gigabit Ethernet.

ASUS Chromebox 4 G7009UN

ASUS Chromebox CHROMEBOX4-G7009UN 10e génération de processeurs Intel® Core™ i7 i7-10510U 8 GB DDR4-SDRAM 128 GB SSD Mini PC Mini PC Système d'exploit

• La toute nouvelle ASUS Chromebox 4 est dotée de la puissance des processeurs Intel Core de la 10e gé...
• Deux ports HDMI et USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 prennent en charge jusqu'à trois écrans 4K.
• Intel WiFi 6 offre des vitesses réseau extrêmement élevées.

L’ASUS Chromebox 4 G7009UN est doté d’un processeur Intel® CoreTM ou Celeron® de 10e génération et d’une mémoire DDR4-2666. C’est pourquoi il possède des performances plus rapides, plus fluides et plus économes en énergie. Il prend également en charge jusqu’à trois écrans 4 K et est équipé de ports USB-C® 3.2 Gen 1 et USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A pour des transferts de données rapides, l’USB-C prenant également en charge l’alimentation électrique et les connexions DisplayPort.

De plus, cet appareil vous permet de profiter de vos applications préférées avec la puissance d’un mini PC. L’ASUS Chromebox 4 présente un design compact et peu encombrant avec des dimensions de châssis de 148,5 x 148,5 x 40 mm. Notamment, l’ASUS Chromebox 4 offre des expériences nouvelles et enrichissantes. Il est simple, sécurisé et dispose d’un ensemble d’applications éducatives intégrées.

Minisforum Elite Mini HX90

MINIS FORUM Neptune Series HX80G Mini PC AMD Ryzen 7 5800H 32 Go de RAM 512 Go SSD avec Radeon RX 6600M Wi-FI 6E/BT5.2, 2xHDMI, 2xDisplayPort,RJ45 2.5

• 【Processeur AMD Rzyen 7 5800HX】Toutes les performances et l'optimisation d'AMD. 8 cœurs basés sur l'...
• 【Mini PC de jeu】 Premier mini PC avec AMD Radeon RX 6600M, une carte graphique mobile basée sur l'ar...
• 【Stockage RAM/SSD évolutif】Le mini PC HX80G est équipé d'un SSD PCIe de 512 Go et d'un stockage RAM ...

Le mini PC Minisforum Elite Mini HX90 promet des performances supérieures étant donné qu’il est alimenté par le processeur AMD Ryzen 9 4900H. La vitesse de réponse est plus rapide;donc il vous fait gagner du temps. En dépit de sa performance incontestable, ce mini-PC se montre peu énergivore. C’est surtout un mini-PC qui a été conçu pour satisfaire les amateurs de jeux. Son puissant processeur réduit automatiquement la chaleur, donc la machine ne surchauffe pas facilement.

Le Minisforum Elite Mini HX90 est équipé d’une RAM double canal DDR4 32 Go. Par conséquent, la vitesse de transfert des données est plus rapide. Ce modèle dispose d’une triple sortie d’affichage (port HDMI, Display port et un port USB-C). De ce fait, il permet d’effectuer plusieurs tâches en simultané tout en gardant ses performances et sa rapidité.

Ce mini PC a l’avantage d’être facile à installer et à configurer. L’endurance de la batterie est plus que satisfaisante. Donc, c’est le genre de mini PC qui est très utilisé pour éditer des images, pour les mini-serveurs et pour les centres multimédias.

Dell OptiPlex 3090

Dell OptiPlex 3090 11e génération de processeurs Intel® Core™ i5 i5-1145G7 8 GB DDR4-SDRAM 256 GB SSD UFF Mini PC Windows 10 Pro

• Couleur : Noir

Dell OptiPlex 3090 est conçu pour l’informatique de bureau quotidienne et peu encombrante.

Ce micro-ordinateur de bureau est doté d’un processeur Intel Core i5-10500 T à 6 cœurs de 2,3 GHz de 10e génération. De même, il dispose de 16 Go de RAM DDR4 à 2666 MHz pour un traitement rapide. En plus, la carte graphique Intel UHD 630 intégrée prend en charge plusieurs moniteurs, offrant ainsi un espace d’affichage généreux.

Ensuite, vous pourrez stocker vos fichiers importants en local sur le SSD NVMe PCIe M.2 de 256 Go préinstallé. En outre, si vous voulez plus d’espace, vous connectez sur des disques externes et d’autres accessoires câblés via quatre ports USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A et deux ports 2.0 Type-A. Mais la connexion en ligne est également disponible grâce au port RJ45 et à la prise en charge de Gigabit Ethernet.

L’ordinateur de bureau Dell OptiPlex 3090 Micro fonctionne avec le système d’exploitation Windows 10 Pro 64 bits.

GEEKOM Mini IT8

GEEKOM Mini PC, ASUS commun AS6 Mini PC de Bureau, 1TB AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM Ordinateur de Streaming avec WiFi 6E, Mini Ordinateur Compact

• [ Processeur AMD R9-6900HX de pointe ] -- Le processeur AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX offre des performances ex...

Le Geekom Mini IT8 est ultra-compact puisqu’il ne mesure que 4,6 x 4,4 x 1,8 pouces. En dépit de sa légèreté, il promet une ultra-haute efficacité. Ce mini PC est livré avec l’Intel Coffee Lake i5. Il fonctionne automatiquement sous Windows 11 Pro, mais il prend également en charge le système d’exploitation Linux.

Le Geekom Mini IT8 vous donne accès à une puissante capacité de stockage. Cela, car vous disposez de 16 Go de mémoire DDR4 double. D’autant plus qu’il prend en charge l’extension à 32 Go.

Ce mini PC offre un rendu visuel très saisissant, donc il est parfait pour lire une vidéo, pour profiter de la navigation web 4K et pour les jeux vidéo. Son autre atout, c’est le fait qu’il prend en charge plusieurs écrans. Cela, car il est équipé d’un port HDMI 2.0 ainsi que d’un Mini Display Port. Vous gagnerez plus de temps et plus d’efficacité avec le mini PC Geeko Mini IT8. Minisforum Desk

MSI Cubi 5 10M

MSI Cubi 5 10M-007BEU 0.84L Sized PC Noir BGA 1528 i7-10510U 1,8 GHz

• Produit d'origine qualité premium

Les concepteurs de MSI ont adopté une approche minimaliste pour le Cubi 5 10M, avec une combinaison de métal et de plastique. Il y a beaucoup d’espaces dans le châssis pour faciliter le refroidissement, car le mini PC est équipé d’un ventilateur de dissipation thermique actif. Vous pouvez facilement accéder à l’intérieur du PC pour échanger ou remplacer le SSD ou la mémoire.

Ce mini PC dispose d’un processeur Intel Core i5-10210 U, un processeur quadricœur pour ordinateur portable avec un TDP de 15W et une vitesse de base de 1,6 GHz. De même, il fonctionne sous Windows 10 avec 8 Go de mémoire système. De plus, vos fichiers s’enregistrent dans un disque dur WD SN730 de stockage de 512 Go PCIe NVMe. La connexion internet se fait par le module Wi-Fi Intel Wireless-AC 9462 802.11 ac.Toutefois, ce mini PC ne dispose ni de microphone, ni d’antenne externe ou de haut-parleurs.

Acer Chromebox CXI4

Acer Chromebox CXI4 Intel® Celeron® 5205U 4 GB DDR4-SDRAM 32 GB eMMC Mini PC Mini PC Système d'exploitation Chrome

Ce mini-PC est doté d’un système d’exploitation Google Chrome OS. Le Chromebox CXI4 d’Acer, facile à configurer, offre une protection intégrée contre les logiciels malveillants. De plus, il propose une variété de fonctions haut de gamme de Google dès sa sortie de l’emballage.

Avec un processeur Intel® Core™ i7 jusqu’à la 10e génération, ce mini-PC offre des performances solides pour traiter rapidement vos tâches quotidiennes. Il dispose jusqu’à cinq ports USB 3.2 Type-A, l’USB 3.2 Gen 2, le port USB le plus récent. Le transfert de données se fait en ultra-rapide avec des vitesses maximales allant jusqu’à 10 Gbps. L’affichage fonctionne par le port USB Type-C et les deux ports HDMI 2.0.

Enfin, vous pouvez vous connecter avec la technologie avancée Intel® Wi-Fi 6 sans fil avec des vitesses jusqu’à 3 fois supérieures à celles de la technologie Wi-Fi 5 standards.  Vous pouvez  optimiser votre espace grâce à son design compact ajusté avec de multiples options de placement.

Minisforum Desk Mini TH50

Minisforum DeskMini TH50 Mini PC Windows 11 Pro avec Intel Core i5-11320H 16 Go RAM 512 Go PCle SSD, Triple Sortie HDMI/USB 4 / Display Video, Dual LA

• Core i5 - Livré avec processeur Core i5-11320H, fréquence de processeur 4,50 GHz, Iris Xe Graphics E...
• Stockage : TH50 a la mémoire embarquée LPDDR4 16 Go et en option sans SSD/256 Go/512 Go SSD.
• Capacité flexible : le TH50 dispose d'un SSD M.2 PCIe de 512 Go et peut étendre la mémoire via une f...

Doté d’un processeur Core i5- 11320H, ce mini PC offre une puissance exceptionnelle ainsi qu’une merveilleuse expérience d’utilisation. Le Core i5- 11320H s’agit d’un quadruple cœur qui comporte 8 Mo de mémoire cache. Ce mini PC est parfait pour les jeux grâce à son graphique qui est assurée par un Iris Xe avec 96 EU.

La ventilation est optimale étant donné qu’il existe une large ouverture sur le dessus du capot permettant de faire circuler plus d’air. La coque de ce modèle est équipée d’une connectique qui comporte une double prise audio jack ainsi que trois sorties vidéo (HDMI 2.0, Display Port, prise en charge vidéo du Thunderbolt 4.0).

NiPoGi AMD Ryzen 7 375OH

NiPoGi [Mis à Jour] AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Mini PC, 16 Go DDR4 / 512 Go SSD Ordinateur de Bureau, Graphique Radeon RX Vega 8, DP + HDMI 4K, WiFi 6 BT5.2 Mi

• NiPoGi Dernier PC- Alimenté par le processeur AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (jusqu'à 4,3 GHz, 8 Mo de cache) et ...
• Plus grande capacité de disque dur - 16 Go de RAM DDR4 installée (2 emplacements SODIMM, extensible ...
• Double sortie d'affichage - le mini PC de jeu dispose d'une carte graphique intégrée Radeon RX Vega ...

Le NiPoGi 7 375OH est du genre multi-usage grâce au puissant processeur AMD Ryzen qui l’alimente. Il peut être utilisé pour les jeux, comme Média Center, comme mini-serveur et en tant que bureautique.

Son plus grand avantage, c’est son grand espace de stockage avec 16 Go de RAM DDR4 extensible à 64 Go de RAM. Toutefois, ce mini PC reste très léger, donc il peut vous accompagner partout sans être encombrant.

C’est également le genre de machine qui rend service aux professionnels des images grâce à la carte graphique intégrée Radeon RX Vega 10. Donc, les graphismes ainsi que les sons sont épatants.

Beelink U59

Beelink Mini S12 Pro Mini PC, Mini Ordinateur de Bureau avec Alder Lake-N N100, 16 Go DDR4 + 500 Go M.2 PCIe 2280 NVMe SSD, WIFI6, Double HDMI, Double

• [Processeur Alder Lake-N N100] Équipé du processeur Alder Lake-N N100 (4C/4T, cache 6M, 0,8 GHz jusq...
• [SSD 16 Go DDR4 + 500 Go M.2 PCIe 2280] Livré avec une RAM DDR4 SO-DIMM 16G 3200 MHz à canal unique,...
• [Affichage double écran] Prend en charge les affichages à double écran avec double port de sortie HD...

Ce mini-ordinateur Beelink U59 est conçu pour les bureaux d’affaires. Il est équipé du processeur de la génération 11 N5095. Son équipement UHD Graphics, double HDMI et type-c vous permet de connecter trois moniteurs en effectuant des multi-tâches. De plus, il reste compatible avec les logiciels de travail professionnels.

Sa taille compacte vous permet de l’emmener dans n’importe quelle destination. Son système d’exploitation est le Windows 11 professionnel  installé sous licence, mais compatible avec Windows 10. En plus, vous pouvez utiliser ce mini PC avec un projecteur et une imprimante.  De même, son utilisation avec l’écran de votre famille permet d’économiser votre espace de travail. Sans oublier qu’il peut être utilisé pour des réunions vidéos avec un projecteur pour permettre de gagner de la place dans votre bureau.

Enfin, cet appareil a une garantie de 1 an assistée par les techniciens professionnels de la société de production.

Lenovo ThinkCentre M900

Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 Tiny Mini PC | Intel Cores i7-6700T 2,8 Ghz | RAM 8 Go | SSD 240 Go | Display Port | Wifi | Windows 10 Pro (Reconditionné)

• Intel Core i7 6700t 8 Go RAM 240 Go SSD
• Couleur noir
• Dans la livraison PC, bloc d'alimentation, clé WiFi

Ce Lenovo thinkCentre M900 est alimenté par un processeur Intel Core i56500T de 6e génération à 3,1 GHz. Il offre des performances plus puissantes assurant une productivité et une facilité de gestion. De même, cet appareil dispose de 8 Go de mémoire vive et 256 Go d’espace disque dur. Il possède l’Intel HD Graphics, support double écran, ainsi qu’une prise casque et microphone RJ-45. La connexion peut être activée avec WiFi sans fil.

Le clavier et la souris inclus ainsi que l’adaptateur Wi-Fi USB vous permettront d’être opérationnel en toute simplicité et de rester connecté. Ce Lenovo thinkCentre collabore avec Windows 10 Professionnel de 64 Bit. Sa conception sans outil et panneau latéral amovible apporte une facilité de maintenance et une extension aisées. Sa construction avec un faible encombrement propose des options de montage polyvalentes.

Enfin,  ce Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 est équipé d’un disque dur SSD 256G qui prend en charge une vitesse de démarrage et des taux de stockage plus rapides.

HP Prodesk 600 G1 ULTRA SLIM

HP Prodesk 600g1 DM BUSINESS PC ultra slim Intel Core i5 4570T 8 Go RAM 500 Go HDD WIFI (reconditionné)

• Dimensions de l'emballage de l'l'article 18,503936989 L x 12,992125971 W x 4,330708657H pouces
• Poids de l'emballage de l'l'article 5,3572329666 kg
• Type de produit Ordinateur personnel

Le HP ProDesk 600 G1 est un ordinateur de bureau. Cet appareil ne répond pas aux exigences matérielles de Windows 11. Concernant le processeur, ce mini-ordinateur prend en charge la technologie Intel Core de la génération 4. De plus, le HP ProDesk 600 G1 dispose de quatre emplacements de mémoire vive et prend en charge la configuration de la mémoire à double canal. Cela est suffisant pour presque tous les cas d’utilisation et surtout dans les situations où la charge de travail nécessite plus de RAM.

Vous souhaitez couvrir les besoins de votre système d’exploitation, de vos jeux et de vos applications ? Alors, sachez que ce mini PC prend en charge jusqu’à 32 Go de RAM DIMM DDR3-1600. Ainsi, la RAM de 8 Go est parfaite pour le travail de bureau, l’utilisation à domicile et les jeux légers. Quant à la RAM de 16 Go,  elle est utilisable pour tout le reste.

Comment bien choisir votre mini-PC ?

Le système d’exploitations : De la même manière que pour les ordinateurs classiques, les mini-PC sont disponibles sur Windows, macOS, Linux ou Chrome. Certains modèles sont toutefois livrés sans système d’exploitation.

Le processeur : Vu leur capacité, les mini-PC intègrent la plupart du temps des processeurs d’entrée ou de milieu de gamme. Les puces Intel Core i3 ou i5 sont à privilégier par rapport aux puces Celeron. Quant au Mac mini, il est équipé du processeur M1 ce qui en fait le meilleur modèle à ce jour.

La connectique : Si votre mini-PC a pour objectif d’ordinateur principal, il faut vous assurer qu’il puisse être relié à tous vos périphériques. Au minimum, l’appareil doit être équipé d’une prise USB-C, USB-3, HDMI ou DisplayPort. Le Wifi 6 et Bluetooth 5 sont également importants.

Le matériel : Certains modèles de Mini-PC sont fournis sans mémoire vive ni SSD. Si vous n’êtes pas un minimum de connaissance en montage de PC, privilégiez les modèles avec tous les composants.

La taille : Enfin, il n’y a pas de dimension standard pour les mini-PC. Chaque modèle est différent. Toutefois, la plupart des modèles ne dépassent pas les 20 cm.

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PC mini-tours : des atouts réels, toujours séduisants

Technologie : Vous hésitez entre une tour et un PC portable ? Pour un bon compromis, optez pour une mini-tour. Vous aurez la puissance de la première dans un format plus compact. On vous explique.

Entre les PC portables et les PC de bureau (desktop), il existe une catégorie souvent oubliée, celle des « mini-tours » – des PC très compacts.

Alors que de nombreux utilisateurs se préparent à changer de machine pour passer à Windows 11, cette catégorie a ses inconditionnels, notamment parmi les utilisateurs « pro » un peu « gamers » ou férus de traitement d’images, de vidéo ou de bons sons. Tour d’horizon.

Le bon compromis

Dans leur classement en comparaison avec les PC portables, les études de marché rangent les tours (towers) de PC en trois catégories : les grands formats, ou « full towers » (22 à 27 pouces, environ 55 x 70 cm) ; les « middle » (entre 17 et 21 pouces, environ 40 x 55 cm) ; et les mini-tours (entre 14 et 16 pouces, soit 35 x 40 cm).

Le volume de ces dernières est souvent mesuré en litres (3 à 15 l pour les plus compacts) et elles sont parfois désignées par « SFF » (« small form factor »).

Ces PC « mini-tours » suscitent toujours un réel intérêt parce qu’ils constituent un compromis intéressant entre une taille réduite, un design soigné et une modularité. La part de marché de ces PC compacts se maintient ; ils sont toujours soutenus par des constructeurs majeurs.

Des composants modifiables

A l’heure de la migration vers Windows 11, ces PC desktop souvent esthétiques et peu encombrants réunissent beaucoup de suffrages parmi les professionnels indépendants, les TPE et les PME. Ils offrent de réelles capacités d’évolution et de résilience. Alors que les PC portables sous Windows ont une durée de vie souvent inférieure à cinq ans, les mini-tours sont conservées deux fois plus longtemps par leur propriétaire.

La plus grande partie de leurs composants sont renouvelables ou « upgradables » : cartes graphiques, cartes processeurs, mémoire. Ils se rangent parmi les équipements informatiques les plus durables – étant réparables et constitués de sous-ensembles changeables, facilement accessibles et démontables.

Donc, pour une TPE ou une PME, le coût global de maintenance est optimisé.

Des machines évolutives

Ces mini PC présentent un atout majeur : ils permettent à chaque utilisateur de constituer sa configuration préférée, modifiable et améliorable en fonction d’usages qui peuvent changer. Ils sont donc, par essence, très évolutifs et facilement reconfigurables. Ainsi, il est possible de changer un processeur Intel par un AMD de nouvelle génération, ou inversement. Il est possible d’en faire de véritables bolides de course.

Leur puissance conduit souvent à une forte élévation de température du ou des processeurs. Tous ces équipements sont heureusement équipés d’un système de ventilation – ce qui, en revanche, peut les rendre bruyants. Un critère à vérifier, même si la plupart sont relativement silencieux.

Autre atout : leur poids minime les rend portables, sinon aisément transportables.

Un prix variable selon votre configuration

Par leurs performances, certains modèles se rapprochent des stations de travail, y compris pour leur prix. Si le coût d’une configuration de haute capacité (avec processeur multicœur Intel Core i7 ou i9) peut dépasser 1 500 euros, il faut souvent y ajouter les périphériques indispensables comme l’écran et la souris. Ceux proposés, quand ils font partie de la configuration, ne sont souvent pas à la hauteur, trop médiocres. Il faut donc rajouter au moins 200 à 300 euros.

De même, les configurations proposées en « prix de base » peuvent n’inclure que le strict minimum. Parfois, ils sont vendus quasiment comme des kits, à commencer par le boîtier nu, à partir de 80 ou 100 euros. Les grandes marques proposent plutôt des configurations opérationnelles, à partir de 600 euros.

L’acheteur peut faire son marché et choisir, entre autres, les unités disques de son choix, au prix voulu, selon la capacité souhaitée : HDD 3,5 ou 2,5 pouces, et/ou unités SSD, ou disque CD/ DVD ou BluRay, etc. Ces mini-tours disposent de trois à cinq logements – ou « caddies » – pour accueillir ces diverses unités externes, sans oublier les cartes contrôleurs RAID, les cartes graphiques dédiées, donc compatibles, jusqu’aux plus sophistiquées comme la NVIDIA Quadro P1000, ou GeForce GTX ou encore GeForce RTX avec 4 ou 8 Go de mémoire GDDR6 (LHR) – qu’il faut mettre à jour, remplacer. Ajoutons-y les cartes réseau Wi-Fi 6 ainsi que les cartes son pour une connexion à des enceintes de qualité hi-fi.

Recours à un configurateur

Aussi est-il recommandé de recourir à un configurateur pour déterminer ce qui est possible et compatible.

A noter également que ces mini-PC agiles, polyvalents et transformables sont capables de supporter des applications très gourmandes telles que Adobe Premiere Pro, AutoCAD ou des logiciels de simulation ou d’IA.

D’où l’intérêt de disposer d’une demi-douzaine de connecteurs – USB (jusqu’au type Gen2-C, HDMI (et VGA encore), jack audio combo, lecteur de carte SD, RJ45, Thunderbolt 4… ainsi que le Wi-Fi de dernière génération 6E.

Quelques références

Enfin, certains de ces périphériques sont dotés de multiples LED, dont l’activation est, en principe, paramétrable, afin d’éviter les sapins de Noël !

A titre indicatif, citons quelques références sous Windows 11 : à partir de 800 euros environ, la série XPS de Dell, avec le logiciel Creator, dotée d’un processeur Intel Core i5, d’une carte Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 avec 4 Go de mémoire, extensible à 16 Go, disque SSD de 1 To et/ou HDD de 1 To.

Et jusqu’à 2 200 euros, pour une configuration avec processeur Intel Core I7 (12 cœurs), 25 Mo de mémoire « cache », carte Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (8 à 16 Go), disque SSD 1 To et disque dur SATA 2 To. Autre exemple, chez MSI, les séries MSI PRO DP20Z et DP21 ou PRO DP130. Ou encore la série PB62 d’Asus ou, chez ACER, le Aspire XC-1760. Il en existe également chez HP, chez Lenovo (IdeaCentre avec Intel Core i5 ou I7).

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Pourquoi acheter un mini PC ? Avantages et inconvénients de ces mini ordinateurs

Mini pc - 2022.

Les appareils électroniques en général et l'outil informatique en particulier se miniaturisent de plus en plus pour répondre aux besoins de portabilité, mais aussi d'esthétique. Ainsi, les mini PC font aujourd'hui partie des principales offres d'ordinateurs personnels sur le marché. On se questionne toutefois sur les performances de ces ordinateurs miniatures, comparé aux ordinateurs de bureau classiques. Il y a pourtant bien de raisons d'acheter un mini pc en 2022. Nous vous livrons tous les avantages, mais aussi les inconvénients de ces mini ordinateurs.

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Qu'est-ce qu'un mini PC ?

Un mini PC est un ordinateur de bureau de petite taille, à ne pas confondre avec un mini ordinateur portable ou avec un nano ordinateur . Il s'agit précisément d'une unité centrale se présentant sous la forme d'une petite boite de moins de 20 cm de côté (la plupart du temps) et d'une épaisseur qui ne dépasse souvent pas les 5 cm. À première vue, le mini PC fait penser à une box TV ,  d'ailleurs certains Mini PC utilisent les mêmes boitiers que des box Android, mais il s'agit d'un véritable ordinateur présentant toutes les caractéristiques et fonctionnalités d'un PC :

• Microprocesseur intégré à la carte mère
• Carte réseau, carte graphique et carte son
• Disque dur compact généralement de 2,5'' ou SSD
• Connectivité sans fil Wi-Fi et Bluetooth
• Connectiques : USB, vidéo (HDMI ou VGA), sortie audio, etc.

Ainsi, connecté à un écran, le mini PC Windows 10 joue entièrement son rôle d'ordinateur.

Pourquoi acheter un mini ordinateur ?

Nonobstant son design compact, le mini PC répond aux usages traditionnels d'un ordinateur classique et même plus. En effet, contrairement aux mini ordinateurs de première génération, les mini PC 2022 n'ont de mini que le nom. Ils se prêtent aussi bien aux travaux bureautiques qu'à la navigation sur le web, au multimédia et à la conception graphique. L'offre de mini PC 2022 a largement évolué vers des modèles plus puissants et plus performants. On retrouve des mini PC Windows 10, des mini PC Windows 11, des mini PC Linux et même des mini PC gamers. Mais l'intérêt d'acheter un mini PC bureautique ou gamer, plutôt qu'un ordinateur de bureau, se lit à travers ses avantages.

Les avantages du mini PC 2002

Les nouveaux mini PC Windows 11, 10 et Linux offrent de multiples avantages parmi lesquels :

L'esthétique : les nouvelles générations de mini PC Windows 10 ou 11 adoptent une conception élégante avec des finitions épurées.

La portabilité : grâce à leur design compact, les mini ordinateurs sont faciles à transporter dans un sac et peuvent être installés partout avec un faible encombrement, que ce soit sur un bureau ou derrière un écran.

L'économie d'énergie : dotés de microprocesseurs souvent gravés à 14 ou 10 nm, les mini ordinateurs Windows/Linux consomment très peu d'énergie. Leur puissance est le plus souvent de seulement quelques watts. Les Mac Mini sont d'ailleurs très intéressant sur ce point là, du fait qu'ils embarquent des puces M1 qui ont une consommation très faible par rapport à leurs performances..

La performance : les nouveaux mini PC Windows 11, 10 et Linux sont disponibles en version i7 délivrant de hautes performances pour les montages vidéo et le jeu. De même, ils sont généralement dotés de SSD, gage de performances accrues. La puce M1 avec architecture M1 et ses variantes, n'est plus à présenter, elle confère au Mac Mini une puissance très intéressante.

Le multi-usage : de la bureautique, de la navigation web, de la retouche photo, du montage vidéo et du gaming, les ordinateurs mini peuvent être utilisés pour des usages multiples. Certains modèles sont aussi particulièrement bien adaptés en raison de leur prix et de leur taille comme console de jeu retrogaming ou comme serveur et même comme PC de salon pour le divertissement grâce au silence induit par l'absence de ventilateur sur beaucoup de modèles.

Un prix réduit : à performances équivalentes, il est assez facile de trouver des Mini PC en 2022 moins cher que des tour PC. Par contre au plus on monte vers le haut de gamme, moins cette affirmation sera vraie et pourra même s'inverser. On peut aussi trouver des Mini PC neuf à moins de 100€. Par contre, il faut bien comprendre que ce prix réduit implique aussi certaines contraintes telles que l'absence de certains ports, de certaines pièces, un refroidissement plus limité, et un remplacement des pièces plus compliqué.

Les inconvénients des ordinateurs miniatures

Bien que les nouvelles générations de mini ordinateurs tendent à la perfection, certains points faibles persistent, à savoir :

Une faible puissance : la majorité des mini ordinateurs restent dans l'entrée ou le milieu de gamme avec des performances réduites. Néanmoins, des modèles bien plus puissants, adaptés au montage vidéo ou au gaming, sont disponibles à la vente.

Connectique plus limitée : bien souvent, surtout sur les modèles d'entrée de gamme, la connectique est très limitée. Il faut bien faire attention avant d'acheter, d'avoir tout ce dont on a besoin, voire même un peu plus, pour s'assurer que la machine dure dans le temps.

Les possibilités d'extension réduites :  les mini PC n'offrent pas souvent la possibilité d'installer de nouveaux composants (RAM, HDD) pour améliorer les performances, notamment les modèles les moins cher ou bien souvent toutes les pièces sont soudées à la carte mère, bien qu'en montant en gamme, on trouve des mini PC ou il est possible de changer certaines pièces telles que la mémoire RAM ou le disque dur. Certains sont même livrés sans RAM, ni SSD, ils sont appelés Barebone. Les Mac mini récents n'offrent pas la possibilité de changer ces pièces là, bien, que certains bidouilleurs aient réussi à le faire, cela reste des manipulations très compliquées, qui font perdre la garantie.

La fragilité : les mini pc sont souvent fragiles et exposés à des risques de surchauffe en raison de l'absence de ventilateurs sur la majorité des modèles, bien qu'ils aient en général des puces adaptées à cette utilisation ou à cause du fait que la plupart des composants soient soudés, ce qui limite les possibilités de réparation.

Mini-PC sortis ou présentés récemment

Quelques Mini ordis de 2022, présentés sur kulturechronik.fr : 

• Firefly EC-I3588J avec SoC Rockchip RK3588
• ASRock 4X4 BOX-5000 avec processeur AMD Ryzen 5800U, 5600U ou 5400U
• GXMO GX55 avec processeur Intel Celeron N5105
• MinisForum Elitemini B550 avec puce AMD Ryzen 7 - 5700G
• Mekotronics R58X avec SoC RK3588
• TopTon M6 avec CPU Intel Celeron N5105

Auteur : Fabio66 et Jo KCK

Cet autre article pourrait vous intéresser : Transformer son PC & Mac en console de jeu retro avec Batocera

• Défiler vers le haut

Bien choisir son mini-ordinateur

En plus des PC de bureau classiques et des ordinateurs portables, les fabricants proposent désormais des mini-PC. Très discrets grâce à leur petit format ou à leur look tranché, ils se fondent facilement dans le décor de la chambre ou du salon.

• Un mini-PC pour qui ?

Bien choisir les composants

Des connectiques pratiques.

• Un PC compact, mais sans écran, clavier ni souris

Un mini-PC pour qui ?

Les mini-PC constituent une alternative intéressante pour qui veut un PC discret. Le plus souvent, ce sont des petits boîtiers noirs de 15 ou 20 cm de côté et de 5 à 6 cm d’épaisseur. Certains modèles sont livrés avec un kit à la norme VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) pour être fixés derrière un écran, TV ou moniteur. D’autres offrent un design pensé pour s’intégrer dans une décoration d’intérieur.

Ces ordinateurs sont suffisamment puissants et correctement équipés pour les tâches courantes. Mais n’espérez pas jouer confortablement aux jeux gourmands, ni connecter un casque de réalité virtuelle . La compacité de ces mini-PC se paye toutefois au prix fort : leur prix, compris entre 600 et 800 €, est élevé au regard de leurs performances. Avec un tel budget, on peut s’offrir un PC classique beaucoup plus puissant, ou même un PC portable très correct. Les mini-PC pourront intéresser les consommateurs auxquels un PC portable ou un PC classique ne conviennent pas (écran, position).

Comme pour n’importe quel ordinateur, le choix des composants est essentiel : les performances de l’ordinateur y sont corrélées. Généralement, les fabricants proposent plusieurs configurations pour un même modèle.

Processeur . Intel est le plus fréquent avec sa gamme i3, i5 ou i7. Poussez l’observation plus loin dans la référence, car plusieurs générations de ces puces coexistent. Schématiquement, un Core i3 très récent peut être plus performant qu’un Core i5 vieillissant. Sachez que le premier chiffre du modèle indique la génération (i5- 6 200U est une puce de 6 e  génération). Les plus tenaces d’entre vous trouveront de nombreuses informations sur le site http://ark.intel.com/fr (nombre de cœurs, mode turbo, etc.).

Stockage . Vérifiez en premier lieu que l’ordinateur intègre un disque SSD, fut-ce en complément d’un disque dur mécanique. Pas besoin qu’il soit de grande capacité (128 ou 256 Go suffisent). Sa simple présence (et le fait que le système d’exploitation y soit logé) améliore considérablement le confort d’usage, et la vitesse de démarrage en particulier. À vous de choisir ensuite la capacité du disque dur (500 Go, 1 ou 2 To) en fonction de vos besoins. Certains mini-PC peuvent accueillir du stockage supplémentaire, très facile à installer.

Système d’exploitation . La plupart des mini-PC intègrent Windows 10 (Mac OS pour l’Apple Mini). Mais certains sont vendus sans système d’exploitation. Les défenseurs du logiciel libre pourront ainsi installer la distribution Linux de leur choix.

Les mini-PC sont, pour la plupart, correctement équipés. Wi-Fi et Bluetooth sont évidemment intégrés. Veillez à la présence d’au moins 2 ou 3 ports USB (USB 2 et 3) et d’un port USB 3 type-C (ce format est appelé à se développer). Disposer d’un port USB en façade s’avère pratique, si ce n’est indispensable. Côté vidéo, on trouve des ports Displayport et/ou HDMI. Un lecteur de carte SD permet de transférer rapidement ses fichiers.

Un PC compact, mais sans écran, clavier ni souris

Pour finir, sachez que la plupart des mini-PC sont vendus sans écran, ni clavier, ni souris. Un pack clavier + souris coûte entre 30 et 100 €. Le budget nécessaire pour un écran dépend, entre autres, de sa taille. Un écran correct coûte entre 100 et 300 € environ. Mais sachez qu’un mini-PC peut aussi être connecté à un téléviseur .

Camille Gruhier

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Mini pc ou tour ?

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