Top 8 Mini PCs Currently Available on the Market, Ranked

 

Top 8 Mini PCs Currently Available on the Market, Ranked

Humanity has achieved remarkable progress in the realm of technology, especially the ongoing trend of shrinking the size of powerful computers. It's a well-known fact that the smartphone in your pocket now possesses more raw computing power than the computer that once facilitated the moon landing. Even more striking is the fact that today's mini PCs, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or resemble a mass-market paperback, outperform most consumer computers from just 15 years ago while often being more budget-friendly.

Mini PCs, as their name suggests, are compact desktop computers, and the market offers a wide variety of options to cater to diverse needs. Some opt for mini PCs over laptops when they require multiple workstations, finding the smaller desktop form factor easier to transport. Others are drawn to the affordability of mini PCs without sacrificing performance. It's worth noting that some mini PCs can compete or outperform laptops and full-sized desktops of similar price ranges.

When searching for the best mini PCs currently available, several standout models excel in power, price, and reliability. Selecting the ideal mini PC depends on your specific requirements and operating system preferences. Here, we present eight top mini PCs, each with unique strengths:

8. ThinkStation P360 Ultra (Intel) Workstation

Lenovo's reputation for delivering business-class machines extends beyond its ThinkPad laptops. The ThinkStation P360 Ultra is among the most powerful mini PCs on the market. It boasts impressive specs, including an Intel Core i9-12900 processor, 64GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 16GB VRAM NVIDIA GPU. This combination makes it a formidable machine for a wide range of tasks.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra also excels in connectivity, featuring five USB 3.2 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two ethernet ports, and three display ports. Additionally, its expandability options, including support for NVMe SSDs and SATA drives, ensure versatile data storage solutions.

However, its main drawback is the price and availability, starting at around $2,500, up from its initial price of $1,069. Buyers may find better deals by purchasing used models.

7. MSI Pro DP21

The MSI Pro DP21, while visually unassuming with its small black square design, shines in terms of performance. Equipped with Intel's 11th Gen Core processors, it offers robust processing power suitable for demanding tasks such as data analysis and content creation. Its 16GB of DDR4 RAM facilitates seamless multitasking, making it ideal for professionals.

Connectivity is another strong suit, with HDMI, ethernet, and eight USB-A ports accommodating various peripherals and devices. Moreover, its expandability options, including M.2 and 2.5-inch SATA slots, ensure it can evolve to meet future needs. Security-conscious users will appreciate the TPM 2.0 support.

The MSI Pro DP21, starting at just $349, offers an attractive blend of performance, connectivity, and upgradability. Whether used in a small office, as a dedicated workstation, or as a space-saving home PC, it excels in both form and function.

6.Mac Studio

Apple's Mac Studio, powered by M1 and M2 processors, continues the trend of high-performance mini PCs. While the M1 models are already powerful, the M2 variants set new performance benchmarks. Beyond its computing prowess, the Mac Studio stands out for its design, offering a more creative aesthetic than a typical black cube.

The Mac Studio excels in benchmarking, with M2 models doubling the CPU speed of even the most powerful Intel-based Mac Pro. It caters to creative professionals with features like four Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, USB-A ports, an SD Card slot, and native DisplayPort support via Thunderbolt 4. It can also support up to five displays (M2 Max) or eight displays (M2 Ultra).

However, the Mac Studio's main drawback is its price, ranging from $1,999 to $3,999. It's a premium choice, suitable for creatives needing a portable yet high-performance solution, but the decision depends on individual needs and preferences.

5. Intel NUC 13 Pro

Intel's Next Unit of Computer (NUC) series, including the NUC 13 Pro, offers compact computing solutions. Although Intel plans to discontinue its NUC Mini PCs, recent models remain compelling options. The NUC 13 Pro comes in various configurations, with the barebones model starting at $579 on Amazon.

While the basic model lacks pre-installed RAM and storage, it's highly customizable. Users can upgrade it to accommodate up to 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Powered by 13th-generation Intel chips, the NUC 13 Pro delivers versatility and speed for various tasks, except gaming.

However, price and availability can be issues. The NUC 13 Pro is currently less accessible, and its specs may not always align with similarly priced mini PCs.

4. Geekom AS 6

The Geekom AS 6 stands out primarily due to its affordability, priced between $649 to $739 on the manufacturer's website. This mini PC packs a punch, featuring AMD processors like the Ryzen 9 6900HX and an AMD Radeon 680M GPU. It supports up to 32GB of RAM and includes a 1TB SSD, making it a powerful and quiet performer.

Connectivity is robust, with two USB-C ports, five USB-A 3.2 ports, two HDMI ports, a display port, and an ethernet port. Additionally, it offers expandability with M.2 and SATA drive support, along with security features like TPM 2.0 support and physical security options.

The Geekom AS 6 offers a compelling blend of performance and price, making it a top choice within its price range.

3. Intel NUC 12 Serpent Canyon

The Intel NUC 12 Serpent Canyon is a gaming-oriented mini PC known for its performance, design, and compact size. Equipped with 12th-generation Intel processors, including Core i5 and i7 options, it provides the processing power needed for a wide range of computing tasks.

In terms of design, the NUC 12 stands out with its slim, standing form factor and distinctive skull design. It offers ample connectivity with multiple DisplayPorts, HDMI, USB 3.2 ports, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an ethernet port. Its expandability options, including M.2 NVMe SSDs and SATA drives, ensure future-proofing.

However, the NUC 12's price, exceeding $1,000, may be a barrier for some, especially as it comes as a bare-bones kit without memory, storage, or an operating system.

2. Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS

The Beelink SER6 Pro is highly regarded in the mini PC community, primarily due to its exceptional performance at an attractive price point. This compact computer features an AMD Ryzen 7735HS processor, up to 64GB of DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD, and impressive connectivity options, including Thunderbolt, a 2.5-gigabyte ethernet port, and Wi-Fi 6E.

Currently available for around $436 on Amazon, the SER6 Pro offers remarkable value for its performance and features. It can also support up to three separate displays, making it versatile for various applications.

The Beelink SER6 Pro 7735HS is a versatile and powerful computing solution suitable for a wide range of roles, making it an excellent choice for those exploring the world of mini PCs.

1. Mac Mini M2

The Mac Mini M2 tops the list as one of the most recommended mini PCs available. Its performance, combined with its reasonable price within the Apple ecosystem, makes it an exceptional value. Starting at just $599, the Mac Mini M2 offers affordability not often associated with Apple products.

The base model includes a 256GB SSD, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and an Ethernet port. While it lacks some of the Mac Studio's features, it strikes a balance between performance and affordability. Users seeking MacOS will find the Mac Mini M2 hard to beat.

In conclusion, the Mac Mini M2 stands as a highly recommendable choice in the world of mini PCs, offering impressive performance and value for the price.