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Compared to regular computers, the best mini PCs are very small. But they have enough power to do a wide range of tasks, like browsing the web, making content, and playing games. Not only are these small computers easier to use than huge PC towers, but they are also very quiet.
Some people might find that mini PCs are the best computer for them. Mini gaming PCs are smaller than a typical tower, so they can’t fit as many components as a tower. But there are many parts out there that are made to be as small as possible.
But what makes it good for playing games? Well, if you like playing games on your couch more than anything else, this would be perfect. This is the best way to play a game, especially if you have a high-end OLED TV and want to see it at its best.
Best Mini PCs
Apple Mac mini with M2
Specifications
| Size (Inches) | 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 |
| Weight | 2.6-2.8 pounds |
| CPU | Apple M2/M2 Pro |
| Storage | 256GB – 8TB SSD |
| Geekbench 5 Score | 15,038 |
The Mac mini M2, which costs $599, is a tiny powerhouse that’s cheaper and faster than its predecessor thanks to its fast M2 chip. This is the best thing Apple has ever done. The option to add an M2 Pro for $1,299 makes the deal even better, making this a good Mac for gaming or light photo/video editing.
Of course, when you pay for Pro, you get more than just speed. The entry-level Mac mini with M2 Pro is not only faster, but it also has more memory, storage, and ports than the entry-level Mac mini. It’s a great mini PC for Mac fans and a good way to show off macOS Ventura.
Pros
- $100 cheaper than predecessor
- Powerful, especially with M2 Pro
Cons
- Not user-repairable or upgradable
Beelink U59 Mini PC
Specifications
| CPU | Intel Celeron Processor |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | M.2 2280 512GB SATA SSD |
| Ports and Connectivity | USB 3.1, USB-C, 4 USB-A, 2 HDMI, 1 Audio jack |
| Weight |
The Beelink U59 is a PC about the size of a NUC. It has an Intel Celeron Processor N5105 at its core. It can come with up to a 512GB SATA SSD and 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Even though it has only a small amount of silicon.
Inside, there is also a bay for a 2.5-inch drive, which gives you even more storage options. The deal is sealed by the low price of both the 8GB and 16GB models and the fact that Windows 11 doesn’t come with any extra programmes.
Pros
- Very affordable
- VESA mount included
Cons
- USB ports are all 5Gbps
Intel Phantom Canyon NUC
Specifications
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 2060 |
| RAM | None |
| Storage | None |
| Size | 10.7 x 7.8 x 6.9-inch |
This Intel Phantom Canyon NUC stands out because it has a real graphics card built right in. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 is a low-power version that doesn’t perform as well as better graphics cards.
However, it’s still a real GPU inside a small computer that you can use to play any Steam game. It’s slim—much thinner than it looks from the base dimensions—so it’s easy to store on a shelf or in a storage unit when it’s not in use.
Pros
- Dedicated gaming graphics chip
- Easily upgradeable
Cons
- RTX 2060 is an older GPU
Corsair One i300
Specifications
| CPU | Intel Core i9-12900K |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
| RAM | 32GB |
| Storage | 2TB NVMe SSD |
| Weight | 9.73 pounds |
| Dimensions | 7.87” x 6.79” x 14.96” |
Even though the Corsair One i300 is not nearly as small as our top pick, it has the best performance of all of them. In fact, some gamers with a powerful Intel Core i9-12900K processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti GPU might find it too much.
And 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage make sure that your games keep running smoothly and load quickly. No graphics-intensive PC game, even modern AAA games at 4K resolutions, is too much for this mini rig to handle at the highest settings.
Pros
- best performance
- SSD storage
Cons
- Pricey
Geekom Mini IT8
Specifications
| Package Dimensions | 7.48 x 7.05 x 5.47 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.32 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Hard Drive | 2 TB SSD |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
The Geekon Mini IT8 is a great option for people who want good specs for a mini PC in general. It’s reliable for everyday tasks, uses little power, and has a lot of desktop and server apps.
One of the best things about the Mini IT8 is that it can be upgraded. It also has a support score of 4, and when you order it, Windows 11 Pro comes with it. But different reviews of mini PCs say that the Mini IT8 is a good choice for your home network as a virtualization host and as a streaming media hub.
Pros
- Decent performance
- Support for up to four monitors
Cons
- Older CPU
What is mini pcs?
Mini PCs are exactly what they sound like: desktop PCs that are smaller. They come in different sizes and have their own benefits and drawbacks.
Mini PCs are basically small devices in the shape of boxes that have lots of ports but don’t come with extra parts like a monitor, keyboard, or trackpad. Because of this, they can work well for people who already have those things.
Due to their small size, which is about the same as stacking a few smartphones on top of each other, mini PCs can be quite weak in terms of power, but they can still do most basic tasks like check email.
Why use mini PCs?
Mini PCs aren’t good for everything, but when power isn’t a big deal, they’re great. People often use them for the following: Most shops and businesses now have digital signs. Mini PCs can be connected to displays and give you all the tools you need to control them.
They are also small enough that they can be put all over the building without drawing attention to themselves. Mini PCs are often used in stores to run the cash registers. They are also perfect for public self-checkout kiosks and information stations.
FAQs
Can you play games on a mini PC?
Mini PCs are great for a wide range of gaming setups because they have many of the same features as other gaming machines but look and work better. They are very flexible and can be used with a lot of different games because they have a lot of connection ports.
What do you do with a mini PC?
They are quiet and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. If you want to be very productive at home, you might want to think about getting a mini PC. Not only can you use them for email, web browsing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more, but you can also change them to fit your needs.