Mini personal computer offer a compact choice to traditional desktop computing gadget . As long as you have the right peripherals uncommitted , you’re able to move mini microcomputer around to wherever you need and plug them into available monitors or TVs for quick availability . That makes them useful for pliable work situations , traveling presentations , LAN parties , and a mixture of other project . Here are our favorite mini PC of the year so far .

If you want to go even smaller , consider taking a look at our listing of thebest stick PCsas well .

High-end power in a tiny footprint

Apple Mac Mini

The Mac Mini M2 is a stupendously powerful miniature personal computer , lark about the same M2 processor that you could chance in some of Apple ’s best MacBooks . There are even option for gamey - end configurations like the M2 Pro and up to 32 GB of RAM . Storage options are expansive , with up to 8 TB available for those willing to pay off special , although you’re able to always augment a more spare - osseous tissue system withan external hard crusade .

start at $ 600 , the Mac Mini is comparatively affordable too — although its top configurations do get rather pricey . This system runs cool and quieter then MacBook Pro framework , and if you have a monitor already , setting yourself up with a late - contemporaries Mac Mini is a breeze . It supports the tardy Thunderbolt ports , so you may link up all your accessories , no matter what connexion they use , and utilize them at full speed .

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

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Best budget mini PC

For a super - stocky organisation with enough performance to outstrip any spliff microcomputer , the Beelink U59 does a groovy chore . It ’s very low-cost , be not much more than you would pay if you just slap together a Raspberry Pi box , but with the power of a real Intel x86 CPU with four cores . It ’s not going to make for the latest AAA games , but as a home media waiter , CAD boxwood , Zoom automobile , download server , or anything else that does n’t run eminent - conclusion applications , it ’s unadulterated .

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

The best mini PC for creatives

Apple Mac Studio

The Mac Studio M2 Ultra is Apple ’s flagship miniature desktop data processor , and though it is n’t as diminutive as the Mac Mini , it ’s vastly more muscular . boast the high - end M2 Ultra processor with a monolithic 60 - pith GPU , this is the system for those who need incredible carrying into action in a desktop car that has a miniature footprint . This system can rival even the much large M2 Mac Pro in a much more compact conception .

Despite all that exponent , this system execute incredibly restfully . The fans scarce spin up even when it ’s working hard thanks to the telling efficiency of Apple ’s M2 silicon . It also comes with a large porthole pick , including multiple Thunderbolt 4 connectors , a pair of traditional USB - A port , an HDMI output , a headphone doodly-squat , and support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet . If you favour wireless , there ’s Wi - Fi 6E financial support , as well as Bluetooth 5.3 for link up all your wireless accouterment .

This is the ultimate organisation for threatening multitaskers . This organisation can support as many as three 8 M displays simultaneously , or up to eight 4 honey oil displays . If you ’ve always want to sit down in front of a vast bank of monitoring equipment , this is the PC to do it with .

Best mini PC for the office

Lenovo Ideacentre mini desktop

The Lenovo Ideacentre miniskirt dekstop packs ATX - size of it desktop power into a frame that ’s just an inch - and - a - half chummy . It has a Core i7 - 13700H CPU , which brings a stupefying 14 - inwardness to the summary mini personal computer grocery store . Combine that with 16 GB of DDR4 computer memory and a half a terabyte of SSD space , and you have a rattling and antiphonal organization that ’s perfectly suited for running demand office applications .

This is efficaciously a Mac Mini PC for Windows drug user . It ’s the same style of super - compact , unpretentious , 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 is n’t great for gaming or 3D figure work , but for everything else , this mini microcomputer is one of the good .

The best Intel NUC mini PC

Intel NUC Pro 13

Intel might be moving away from making first - company NUCs , but one of its last single is a real gem . It features a 13th - generation processor with 12 Congress of Racial Equality and a eminent clock upper for impressive public presentation in such a stocky design . It has a tebibyte of SSD warehousing , giving you all the space you need for a range of program , and with 32 GB 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 web web browser tabs you open .

It ’s completely innocent of fan , so it operates silently even when you ’re pushing it , and it has a slap-up numeral of connection option and port . There ’s Thunderbolt 4 , USB - A , a headphone jak , and a yoke of HDMI 2.1 ports for 4 K monitor outputs . It patronize up to 7.1 line sound , and it has Wi - Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 . This is a mini PC that has it all outside of a bounteous GPU .

If you need a powerful little scheme , you ca n’t go wrong with the Intel NUC 13 Pro .

Best For Gaming

Acemagic A18 Mini PC

Miniature PC do n’t often total with the most herculean graphics , but they can . The Acemagic AM18 is packed full of powerful factor to give you some existent gaming performance . The CPU is AMD ’s eight core 7840HS , one of AMD ’s fastest fluid mainframe . It has the 780 M onboard GPU , the most sinewy integrated graphics AMD has ever released . Together , they ’re more than open of recreate older AAA games at 1080p at mellow frame rate and point horizontal surface , and even mod one if you cleave to average options .

With 32 GB of DDR5 remembering and a terabyte of SSD storehouse , this organisation feels snappy and responsive in all kind of tasks outside of gaming , too , making it a great tool for workers and gamers . Its summary chassis still packs in plenty of connectivity options , let in USB4 and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet , and there ’s Wi - Fi 6 if you ’d rather get online wirelessly .

double cooling sports fan keep the system run cool and muted , and with its RGB lighting , it even looks pretty coolheaded , too .

Frequently Asked Questions

These are PCs with a thick form that are made to easily accommodate in pocket-size spaces where a full personal computer tower could n’t . They are also easily transportable if you need to move around between different workspaces or elbow room . last , they are designed to provide most , if not all , of the capabilities of a full desktop microcomputer .

Note that this differs from a stick PC , which is a small machine made to stop up into telecasting or monitors , and all - in - ones , which combine a desktop reckoner and supervise into one gimmick .

Mini PC specs can often soar as high as any desktop PC ( although they are n’t as favorable for modding or upgrades ) , so they can be very skilful if you are willing to pay for a gamey - end version . However , mini PCs are also a inviolable choice if you want to save money on something simple than the standard desktop microcomputer . This requires a compromise on spec like storage and RAM , though .

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

Take a spirit at the fashion model above and see which close matches your wants and needs , and then regulate how well it first into your budget .

This is another option that will depend on your own need . Getting a late - generation Intel 12 or 13th - generation C.P.U. is a good melodic theme . For AMD , Ryzen 5000 , 6000 , or 7000 are all secure pick . 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 gambling . Gamers may have to put in a piddling more study – and money – into outfitting a mini microcomputer with their desired components , but it ’s definitely possible .

First , look to see if the mini PC is bundled with anything . Some already let in a mouse and keyboard . If not , that ’s where you should jump – ourwireless keyboard guidecan help .

If your workspace does n’t already have a admonisher quick for a PC , then you will also take tochoose a monitor . A set of speakers may be a dependable melodic theme for your workspace as well , and you may like to let in an external hard drive for more grand storage .