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We recently bought some Intel NUC's, they come pretty barebones but you add.

Recent advancements in computer technology have put the term ‘personal computer’ back into the lexicon of tech consumers. Considering many of us wrote off personal computers in favor of mobile devices and cloud clients, it’s refreshing to see the mini PC market is revitalizing the desktop computer world.Cutting-edge hardware and manufacturing have us at a point where the power required for most business and personal computing needs fits into a form factor no bigger than your hand. Nevertheless, since the technology relatively new, finding the best mini PC for your needs can be tricky. Table of Contents.How to Choose the Best Mini PCHere are a few tips for anyone in the market for a new mini PC. BasicsFirst, we need to determine if your ideal mini PC is barebones or ready-to-go. Put simply, if you’re looking for a quick and easy setup, ready-to-go is your best bet. Otherwise, if you prefer to periodically add, improve, and upgrade your own hardware, namely memory and storage, you’ll want a barebones PC.To be clear, many ready-to-go mini PC manufacturers do allow improvements and upgrades.

The primary difference between barebones and ready to go is in the initial setup, not necessarily upgradeability. SizeCompared to desktop PCs of yesteryear, today’s.

You can literally stack a dozen or more mini PCs inside the tower of an old desktop computer. Such a huge size reduction affords more freedom in terms of portability and how your workspace is utilized. Typically speaking, mini PCs span a size range from 4 x 4 x.5-inches to 8 x 8 x 2.5-inches. (W x L x H) SpecsWhat are you using your machine for?For example, mini PCs designed to handle cutting-edge video games and A/V editing can be outfitted with the latest Windows OS, 32GB (or more) of RAM, blazing fast SSDs, and state-of-the-art graphics technology that fully supports VR, 4K UHD, 7.1 surround sound. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a simple device to stream movies, you can get by just fine with 2GB of RAM, less than 16GB of storage, and Android OS.

UpgradabilityThe can also be a factor. If your mini PC is meant to be an entertainment device, upgradeability may be important to you. As technology continues to progress and cheapen, you may want to outfit your PC with improved, more up-to-date parts. Features / CapabilitiesLastly, you’ll want to consider what features are required to get the most out of your machine. For example, do you need USB 3.1, or will USB 3.0 work?

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How many USB ports do you need? Would you like to connect a Thunderbolt device or two (or more)? Would you like the ability to install your own OS? Do you know the maximum amount of memory you’ll need?All-in-all, there’s a ton of options. Continue reading to find out which mini PC is best for you.

12 Best Mini PCs to Buy in 2020. As its name (and the glowing skull) suggests, the Intel NUC 8 Performance G-Kit is the most powerful mini PC that was ever produced by Intel. During development, this beast was codenamed “Hades Canyon”, and that says a lot. Also, it’s worth mentioning that this little monster harbors a very special quad-core processor under its cool chassis, the Intel Core i7-8809G respectively. This is some kind of a hybrid, as it was developed in a historic (first ever) partnership between the world’s two bitter rivals, AMD and Intel respectively.Basically, this state of the art processor binds together into an unholy union an Intel Core CPU with an on-chip AMD GPU, the Radeon RX Vega M GH respectively.

Yes, you read that right: Intel and AMD are joining hands on the same processor. The Radeon RX Vega M GH GPU comes with 4 GB of HBM2 (high bandwidth) memory and it’s VR ready, which means that besides seamless gaming, you’ll also benefit from an immersive VR experience if that’s your cup of tea obviously.In case you were wondering about Intel joining hands with AMD, this move is aimed at mitigating the inherent problems of Intel’s in-house HD Graphics GPU, which is not powerful enough to offer gaming aficionados a smooth experience. The new hybrid chips made by Intel and AMD are claimed to be equivalent to a GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q GPU, which is kind of awesome.On top of “peak performance”, the Intel NUC 8 G-Kit will support up to six 4K displays, featuring front/read HDMI ports, 2x mini display ports, 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and no less than 7 USB ports. The HP 600 G2 is a very affordable mini-tower PC, powered by an Intel I3 dual-core 6100T CPU. Even if the CPU performance is not stellar, this little fellow comes loaded with additional “goodies”, the likes of 16 GB of RAM, a 256 GB solid state drive and Windows 10 Pro.

As far as specs are concerned, the HP 600 G2 offers strong performance and solid hardware at an unbeatable price, thus playing in the best bang for the buck category, and winning by a long shot.If you’re looking for a no-nonsense business-centric mini-PC, the HP 600 G2 will get the job done with flying colors. The MINIX Neo N42C-4 is a great choice if you’re simply looking to stream.

The ability to browse the web, play breathtaking ultra HD content, access KODI, Skype and more is packed inside a 5-inch square that’s less than 1-inch tall!The Neo has been painstakingly designed to provide the most stunning home cinema experience possible. Powered by Windows 10, the Neo is capable of outputting crystal clear 4K @ 60 Hz. Going a step further, the engineers at MINIK have embedded a proprietary suite of technologies that improve upon the 4K standard and further enhance the already ultra-sharp images.All these cutting-edge enhancements, however, would be worthless without robust connectivity. A spotty connection can easily ruin an otherwise pleasant streaming experience. No corners were cut when it comes to the high-tech antenna architecture found in the MINIX Neo N42C-4.

The designers have used the latest 802.11ac technology. An array of dual-band antennas covers 2.5GHz and 5.0GHz resulting in lightning-fast and highly-stable connections. The Intel NUC 8 Mainstream Kit is yet another tiny yet powerful mini PC, running on an Intel Core i3 8th gen CPU, which features Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655. On top of that, you have a M.2 22×42/80 slot for PCIe NVMe or SATA SSD, a 2.5″ SSD/HDD bay and support for up to 32 GB of DDR 4 Dual channel DDR4-2400 SODIMM RAM. The ASUS CHROMEBOX 3-N017U is an entry-level (hence affordable) mini PC, which comes with the latest-gen Intel Celeron 3865U Processor under the hood, seconded by 4 GB of RAM, along with a Gigabit LAN card, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and a 32GB M.2 SATA SSD, i.e. The basics required for surfing the interwebz and performing light office duties and things of that nature. Furthermore, the integrated GPU is 4K capable and can support 2 monitors via Display Port/Type C and HDMI connectors.This cool mini PC comes pre-loaded with Chrome OS, which means it’s fully compatible with thousands of Android apps available on both Chrome Web Store and Google Play.

There’s also built-in antivirus protection, so you won’t have to waste your time and resources on security software and, on top of that, you’ll get instant access to your files from basically any location.The “Power Delivery” over USB type C feature in this Asus Chromebox mini PC helps you deliver power to mobile devices, projector or monitors sans additional cables, so it will help with minimizing cable clutter. If you can’t afford an Apple product and you want “out” of Windows’ ecosystem, Chrome OS may be the answer. Next in line, we have a Dell CFC5C OptiPlex 3050, a machine which boasts almost legendary status. This Dell is basically a 7th Gen Intel I5 powered micro form-factor desktop PC, running on Windows 10 Pro or Linux, depending on one’s personal preference. Besides the powerful quad-core I5-7500T CPU, this Dell boasts 8 GB of RAM (up to 32 GB supported) and a 256 GB SSD.Basically, if you’re looking for sheer desktop-like power in a smaller form-factor, this Dell OptiPlex would cut it for you, provided you’re not discouraged by the price-tag, which is a little bit steep for what this machine really is. The main argument for getting an OptiPlex, besides Dell’s legendary reliability and industry-leading security and manageability I mean, is its compact form-factor, which uses 60% less surface area compared to a regular desktop computer. ACEPC T11 Mini PC features Intel Atop x5-Z8350 1.44GHz CPU with 4 cores, which can be overclocked to work on 1.92GHz.

Along with that comes 4GB of RAM, with the maximum support of 64GB eMMC, which is pretty decent for mini PC.It is equipped with 2.4G+5G Dual-Band Wi-Fi, as well as LAN of 1000Mbps and Bluetooth 4.2, which gives it a pretty good amount of options for connectivity. Apart from that, this mini PC comes with already installed Windows 10 Pro 64-bit version and Auto-on feature.ACEPC T11 comes with 64GB eMMC, as said above. However, it can be expanded up to 128GB, by using Micro SD card, or by simply using USB external HDD/SSD up to 2TB, with 2.5” port.It features an integrated Intel HD Graphic card, with which you can watch 4K videos and even connect a projector to make a home cinema or use it in educational purposes if you use this mini PC in schools. It doesn’t have any fans, which means it will run as quietly as possible. The HP ProDesk 400 Micro Desktop can be described as a workstation of sorts in a very small form factor. The best thing about the ProDesk 400 is that it will provide you with lots of power in a very convenient package, and by convenient we mean cheap, reliable and compact.If you’re looking for an affordable and snappy PC for office work and even light gaming (the Integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 is pretty good), the HP ProDesk 400 has your name on it, i.e. For “peanut money” you’ll get a dual-core i3-6100T CPU, 4 GB of RAM, a 256 GB SSD and Win 10 Pro 64-bit pre-installed and ready to roll.

The Intel Compute Stick CS125 is the best “computer on a stick” currently available. Coming in a form factor that’s only slightly larger than your typical USB flash drive, this Compute Stick is more than capable of performing most of your personal computing tasks.Whether you use the internet to surf, learn, tweet, or play, the Compute Stick from Intel has you covered. Virtually any display with an HDMI input can be converted into a Windows 10 PC by using this unique device.The Compute Stick is powered by Intel’s Atom x5 Quad-Core processor, 2GB memory, and 32GB of flash storage.With that said, the Compute Stick is a great mini PC for anyone looking for an ultra-compact plug-and-play Windows 10 device. This latest model Apple Mac Mini is a premium-looking beautifully-designed power-house, boasting the latest gen quad-core I3 CPU (or hexa-core i5 8th-Generation Intel Core Processor, depending on the configuration), 8 GB of DDR4 and a 128 GB/256 GB SSD. On top of that, you’ll benefit from stellar connectivity, courtesy of 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C) ports for all your Apple gear, 1 HDMI 2.0 and 2x USB 3 ports.Everything in this mini PC is about premium look, feel and sheer performance, bound together into an unholy package. And by that, we refer to this little monster’s price-tag. But you already know that quality doesn’t come cheap, especially with Apple products, right?

Fat freebass fb383 manual treadmill. However, if you’re looking for the best mini PC money can buy, the Apple Mini should rank high on your shopping list. This Mini PC features very powerful 8th generation Intel Core i7-8550U with 4 cores ranging from 1.8 to 4GHz. Along with that comes pretty decent Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620, with Dual Display option and 4K working at 60Hz, as well as HDMI 2.0 and Display Port 1.2 support.As for options to connect the device to the internet and other devices, there is support for 802.11AC Wi-Fi, Dual Gigabit LAN and Bluetooth 4.2. Along with that comes 2 USB 3.1 Type-C and 5 USB 3.0 ports, so you will always be able to connect to everything you need to.As for the prolonged performance, this mini PC doesn’t have any fans, which makes it very quiet. To enhance the performance any further, there is a passive cooling feature and this PC is VESA mountable.

The best mini PC designs pack an enormous amount of technology into a tiny little space. Shrinking the bulky desktop computer into a size small enough to hide out of sight behind a TV or monitor or even small enough to slip into the hip pocket of your jeans is no small feat. The best mini PCs offer outsized capabilities to go with the ultra-small designs, letting you pack a fully capable workstation or gaming rig into something you can easily carry in your purse or backpack.We test each mini PC we review to get a clear picture of how well it performs, what uses it's best suited to and what sort of capability you get for the price. These tests include synthetic benchmarks to measure system speed and graphics capability, as well as number crunching with large data sets to measure processing power in a way that can be easily compared across a wide variety of mini PC systems.

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We've got the you can buy. Latest: rumorsFrom storage speed to gaming chops, we test every aspect of a mini PC's performance to tell you exactly what it can do, and what it does well. Most importantly, we use each mini PC for several hours, trying out its unique features and any preloaded software.And mini PCs are regularly announced and updated, like a potential redesign for the that turns the powerful all-in-one into a standalone monitor and mini PC, or that now comes with twice the storage space for the same price.

What are the best mini PCs?Of the dozen or so mini PCs we've reviewed in recent months, several stand out as the cream of the crop. Whether you want a general use desktop, a gaming rig that can be taken on the go, or a powerful system that can still be stowed out of sight, we've got the mini PC for you.Our favorite mini PC overall is the Apple Mac mini, the latest version of the system that helped define the mini PC category. For a similarly compact system that's Windows-based, there's the Azulle Byte3, which is also our favorite mini PC for home theater use.The gaming oriented Intel Hades Canyon NUC proves that even AAA games and VR can be handled by a well-designed mini PC. The Azulle Access3 is the best stick PC, with a pocketable design that can be used with any monitor or TV with an HDMI port, while the HP Z2 Mini G4 delivers powerful workstation-grade capabilities in a deceptively small design.The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B offers a barebones system that's perfect for tinkering and projects, and only costs $35. For the office, there's the work-friendly Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny, our favorite office mini PC. And the Acer Chromebox CXI3 puts Google's Chrome OS into a tiny desktop that can be hidden almost anywhere.Mini PCs give you the power of a desktop, but in a package that's small enough to mount behind a monitor, stash in a desk drawer, or take on the go in a backpack or even your pocket. The best mini PCs to buy now 1.

Apple Mac mini (2018). Limited upgradabilityEditor's Note: (March 18, 2020) Apple has updated the Mac mini, doubling the storage offered on the basic configurations. Since other hardware remains the same, we expect performance to be relatively unchanged.Apple took its sweet time updating the smallest of Macs, but the Mac mini (2018) was well worth the wait. The latest Mac mini has a slick new look with it's darker space grey anodized finish, despite retaining the same dimensions and unibody design as the previous model.

It also picks up some improvements, like a speedy collection of ports, including four Thunderbolt 3 ports for connecting displays, storage and anything else. It even offers (a bit) of upgradability, with traditional SO-DIMM slots for adding memory, though other hardware and storage are not user-serviceable.Despite rocking an older 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, the littlest Mac managed to put up numbers that bested better-equipped systems, and offers a surprising amount of power in a pleasantly compact design. Based on our testing, it's the best mini PC overall, delivering excellent power and value in a compact package.Read our full. Azulle Access3. Optional bundled keyboard is clunkyThe Azulle Access3 takes our favorite tiny stick PC and makes it even better. With a compact design that's almost small enough to put on a keychain, and flexible enough to be used with any monitor or TV, the Access3 gets a faster processor, speedier USB 3.0 ports and adds Gigabit Ethernet for better performance and connectivity than any other stick PC we've reviewed.

The zippy performance even supports 4K video output, making it great for streaming.Whether it's for use in your home theater, powering digital signage or just giving you a way to watch Netflix on your hotel TV, the Access3 presses forward in a form-factor that larger manufacturers have largely forgotten. The Azulle Access3 is our new favorite stick PC, and the best mini PC you can slip into your pocket.Read our full.

Azulle Byte3. Lousy multitaskingThe Azulle Byte3 is the best mini PC for home entertainment, with a compact fanless design that will easily fit into your entertainment center. It's a great tool for media streaming and provides a full PC experience on your TV. With an Intel Apollo Lake Celeron processor, it's perfect for streaming 4K video and offers all the connectivity you need with a healthy selection of ports.The small size of the Byte3 (5.6 x 4 x 1.5 inches) will easily mount to the back of a TV or monitor. The compact design still offers options to upgrade after purchase, and the slick looks means that even though you can easily hide it away, you might not want to. If you want a great mini PC for home entertainment use, the Azulle Byte3 mini is our favorite.Read our full.4.

Intel Hades Canyon NUC. Expensive after adding partsIntel’s Hades Canyon NUC is a mini PC that delivers desktop-gaming-grade performance in a chassis that's about the size of a book. Thanks to its Intel Core i7-8009G/AMD Radeon RX Vega M GH hybrid chip, which combines processing and discrete graphics on a single chip, the Hades Canyon NUC can handle AAA games and VR in a small, black brick that can be tucked into a backpack or added to a home entertainment center.Despite its small size, the Hades Canyon NUC is loaded with ports, including Thunderbolt 3 ports and HDMI output. If you buy the barebones kit, you’ll need to provide memory and storage, and your own installation of Windows, but this pint-sized gaming machine can go toe-to-toe with an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti-powered gaming tower, and it even handled a bit of VR. It's the best mini PC you can get for gaming without compromise.Read our full. HP Z2 Mini G4.

Cooling fans get loudThe HP Z2 Mini G4 is an ultrasmall workstation PC, cramming workstation-level components and ISV-certified graphics into a desktop PC that's smaller than some books. It's got stylish looks and a surprisingly accessible (and upgradable) interior, but the real draw is the high-powered processing and graphics options.

It's also the best mini PC you can get for workstation performance while maintaining that compact size.Equipped with a beefy 6-core Intel Xeon E-2176G processor, 32GB of RAM and Nvidia Quadro P1000 graphics, the Z2 Mini easily handles workloads that other mini PCs struggle with, and is certified to work with a variety of mission-critical programs, from vendors like Autodesk, Avid, Siemens, Solidworks and Vectorworks. If you're an engineer or designer that wants a workstation desktop that won't take up your whole desk, this is the powerful mini PC we recommend.Read our full. Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny. Integrated graphics onlyThe Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q Tiny desktop puts full-sized, business-grade productivity into a compact package that’s smaller than a paperback book. It offers all sorts of business-friendly features into it’s small, square chassis, with plenty of ports, speedy Wi-Fi, and options to add an optical drive or even transform the mini PC into an All-in-One desktop using Lenovo’s Tiny-in-One monitors.Our review unit offered solid performance thanks to an Intel Core i5-7500T processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB Opal-compliant solid-state drive. With decent performance and plenty of flexibility, it's the best mini PC for most office users.

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The small size belies the capabilities inside, with configurations that offer up to an Intel Core i7 processor, as much as 32GB of memory, choices of HDD or SSD storage (with Opal-compliant options), and accessories for added functionality.Read our full. Acer Chromebox CXI3. Limitations of Chrome OSThe Acer Chromebox CXI3 may be the best desktop version of Chrome OS available.

Made for use in the classroom or in the office, the Chromebox CXI3 delivers everything that’s great about Chrome – ease of use, simple security, and all the online capability you want – in a mini PC that boasts great features and performance.The compact Chromebox can be mounted almost anywhere, and boasts plenty of ports, including several USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output and a USB-C port. Our model was outfitted with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD, combining to offer speedy performance and easy multitasking. Plus, it’s cheaper than any similarly equipped Windows machine. For one of the best mini PC designs without the bloat of Windows, there's no beating the Acer Chromebox CXI3.Read our full. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. Software compatibility is hit or missThe 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. The latest model, the $35 Raspberry Pi 4 Model B offers enormous value for projects ranging from simple to complex, from its enhanced processing and graphics to offering 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.Editor's Note (Feb 24, 2020): The Raspberry Pi 4's USB-C compatibility issues may be over, thanks to an updated version of the Pi 4 that has just been released. Our sister site Tom's Hardware has the whole story on the.Read our full. How to choose the best mini PC for youMini 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.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.Then there's the question of form factor.

Mini PCs are all small, but within the category there are a range of options, 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.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 mini PCsWe test every mini PC we review goes 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. The to complete your desk setup.

The you can buy.

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