Mini PCs have become a popular alternative to traditional desktop computers. They are compact, energy-saving and still offer powerful performance – perfect for home office, multimedia streaming, gaming and much more. Whether for work, study or use as a media center: Mini PCs impress with their flexibility and the ability to make optimum use of even small workspaces.
In this buying guide, we present the best mini PCs on the market, compare their most important features and show you what to look out for when buying.
The best mini PCs: multimedia and all-rounders
The best mini PCs for multimedia offer a powerful combination of compact design and high performance, ideal for streaming content, editing videos or working with graphics-intensive programs. Compared to office models, they offer significantly more performance and more modern features, but are also considerably more expensive.
Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for models with AMD Ryzen or Intel Core Ultra processors in mini PCs for multimedia or general use, as these perform significantly better than Intel Core variants in terms of energy efficiency and the built-in graphics unit.
Geekom GT1 Mega
The Geekom GT1 Mega is a mini PC that impresses with powerful components and practical features, making it an excellent choice for both home office and creative applications. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 or Ultra 9 processor, the GT1 Mega offers solid performance for multitasking and demanding applications. The fast processor is complemented by up to 32 GB of RAM, which enables smooth performance even with graphics-intensive tasks such as image or video editing.
Another highlight of the Geekom GT1 Mega is its versatile connectivity. It has multiple USB ports, including USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort, allowing up to four monitors to be connected simultaneously. This makes it ideal for users who need a lot of screen space or work with several applications at the same time. The mini PC also supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, which ensures a fast and stable connection and makes it easier to work with wireless devices and fast internet access.
Despite its performance, it is quiet and energy-saving and fits easily on any desk or shelf. Easy access to the internal memory also means that the SSD can be expanded at a later date, allowing the mini PC to be adapted to future requirements. The Geekom GT1 Mega thus combines powerful performance and practical features in a modern, space-saving format.
Minisforum EliteMini AI370
The Minisforum EliteMini AI370 is a powerful mini PC that is particularly interesting for professional users and creative projects thanks to its high-end features and versatility. It is based on the powerful and efficient AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. With 12 cores and 24 threads, this processor offers more than enough power for gaming and demanding applications in the creative sector.
The Mini-PC is also equipped with 32 GB of fast LPDDR5X-7500 RAM. The AI370’s four-channel LPDDR5X design offers a higher memory bandwidth, which significantly reduces latency and accelerates data exchange for applications.
Two 2.5 GBit LAN ports are available to ensure maximum bandwidth. There are also various ports such as USB 4.0 with a data transfer rate of 40 GBit/s and the option to use external devices such as eGPUs, SSDs, VR headsets and much more. In total, the mini PC can display the image on three screens with a 4K resolution. In addition to the USB4 port, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0 ensure this.
- You can get the EliteMini AI370 for Black Friday with the discount code AI370BFCM with a 100 USD discount directly at Minisforum (discount valid until November 30, 2024)
Apple Mac mini
In the Apple ecosystem, the Mac mini is alone in the mini PC segment. Apple has just updated the compact computing dwarf and given the new Apple Mac mini M4 a new, even smaller design.
The Apple Mac Mini M4 offers an impressive combination of performance, efficiency and compactness. Equipped with the powerful Apple M4 chip based on the Apple Silicon architecture, the Mac Mini delivers exceptional performance that’s ideal for everyday tasks as well as demanding applications such as video editing and software development.
The new Mac mini comes with a variety of ports for a wide range of setups. It now also has front-panel ports for easy accessibility, including two USB-C ports that support USB 3 and a 3.5mm audio jack with support for high-impedance headphones.
On the rear, the Mac mini with M4 offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the Mac mini with M4 Pro is equipped with three Thunderbolt 5 ports. The Mac mini comes standard with Gigabit Ethernet and optionally with up to 10 Gbit Ethernet for faster network speeds as well as an HDMI port to easily connect a TV or HDMI display without an adapter.
GEEKOM AX8 Pro
The Geekom AX8 Pro Mini-PC impresses with its powerful features and compact design. Equipped with the latest AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS or 7 8845HS processors, the AX8 Pro offers outstanding computing power for demanding tasks. This power is packed into an extremely small chassis, making it an ideal choice for users who need powerful performance in the smallest of spaces
Another highlight of the Geekom AX8 Pro is its versatile connectivity options. The mini PC has several USB ports, an HDMI port and even support for Thunderbolt, which makes it particularly flexible for various application scenarios. It is also equipped with modern Bluetooth 5.2 and fast Wi-Fi 6E. It also enables multi-display setups, ideal for users who want to operate several monitors at the same time.
It also impresses with its robust design and outstanding energy efficiency. Despite its high performance, the mini PC remains pleasantly quiet in operation, making it a practical choice for offices or home workstations. The low energy consumption is not only easy on the wallet, but also ensures a longer service life for the device.
The best mini PCs: Office, school and study
The best Mini PCs for office, school and study offer a perfect blend of performance, compactness and energy efficiency. With quiet operation and low energy costs, these mini PCs are an excellent choice for any home or office. You will have to accept a few compromises in terms of features, but you will also save money compared to multimedia mini PCs.
Geekom A5
The Geekom A5 is a powerful mini PC for work or school, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and 32 GB RAM. Its rose-colored design stands out and houses modern components such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
The equipment can also be easily expanded: The working memory can be expanded via two SO-DIMMs, whereby up to 64 GB RAM is supported. The mini PC can also accommodate an M.2 SSD up to a maximum of 2 terabytes, as well as an additional 2.5-inch SATA SSD on request.
Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports with a data rate of up to 10 Gbps are located on the front. Speakers or headphones can also be connected there via a 3.5 mm jack, while the Mini PC is switched on and off here. There is also a modern selection of ports on the rear, including 2x USB-C with image output.
Acemagic F2A
The Acemagic F2A Mini-PC offers some convincing advantages that make it ideal for everyday office use and simple multimedia tasks. Particularly noteworthy is the compact design, which makes it space-saving and easy to transport, as well as the efficient processor, which enables smooth multitasking.
The many connections, including USB, HDMI and Ethernet, offer flexible connection options, while the quiet cooling system and low energy consumption also make the F2A attractive for continuous operation in the home office.
However, one of the disadvantages is that the performance for complex applications such as modern gaming or professional video editing is rather limited. In addition, the internal memory in the basic configuration does not offer much capacity, which makes the device less future-proof as storage requirements increase. Users with higher performance requirements may therefore prefer an expandable or more powerful alternative.
NiPoGi GK3 Plus
The NiPoGi GK3 Plus Mini-PC offers a number of advantages that make it an excellent choice for smaller applications or as a compact home server. One outstanding feature is its low noise level, as it remains virtually silent even under load. This makes it ideal for use in quiet environments such as living rooms or offices. Its energy efficiency is also remarkable, as the Mini PC consumes minimal power when idle and also remains relatively economical under load, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Another advantage is the versatile expandability of the NiPoGi GK3 Plus. It allows users to swap out the NVMe SSD and add an additional SATA hard drive, allowing up to 12TB of storage to be integrated. The two HDMI ports enable 4K output, while support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures modern connectivity. This makes it a practical choice for streaming, multimedia or even as a small server system for home networks.
However, there are also some limitations that need to be considered. The mini PC is equipped with a maximum of 16 GB RAM, which can be a limitation for more demanding applications or virtualization solutions. The graphics capacity is also not sufficient for gaming or graphics-intensive applications. The Intel N97 CPU and the integrated iGPU are more suitable for basic tasks, media playback and simple office work.
The best mini PCs: Gaming
The best mini PCs for gaming combine compact design with impressive performance to deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience. Compared to multimedia mini PCs, they come with a dedicated graphics card, which significantly increases performance in games. However, they are also louder and sometimes significantly more expensive.
ASUS ROG NUC 14
The ASUS ROG NUC 14 is a compact but powerful mini PC that is ideal for demanding tasks such as gaming, AI computing and multitasking. It is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors. The mini PC is also suitable for gaming thanks to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU, which comes with 8 Gbytes of GDDR6 VRAM and a TDP of 140 watts. The performance is roughly on a par with comparably equipped gaming notebooks.
An outstanding feature of the ROG NUC 14 is its excellent connectivity. The mini PC is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, which enables high flexibility in the use of peripherals and fast data transfers. It also supports multiple screens, including Ultra HD resolution, making it particularly suitable for multitasking and content creation.
Despite its compact size, the ROG NUC 14 offers future-proof expandability. It has two M.2 slots for memory upgrades and supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology for fast wireless connections. This makes the NUC 14 an ideal solution for businesses and power users who need a versatile, space-saving PC without compromising on performance
Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti
The Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti is a powerful mini PC that is particularly suitable for demanding applications such as gaming, video editing and 3D rendering. Equipped with the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, it offers impressive multi-core performance and high clock speeds that enable fast processing of intensive workloads. Combined with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile GPU, the G7 Ti offers exceptional graphics efficiency that easily handles modern games at high settings.
Another outstanding feature of the AtomMan G7 Ti is its expandability. It supports up to 96 GB DDR5 RAM, which enables excellent multitasking and smoothly runs applications with high memory requirements. The PC also has two M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots, which offer lightning-fast storage and allow for easy upgrades. Other connectivity options include USB4, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, making the G7 Ti extremely versatile for various applications.
Despite its compact design, the AtomMan G7 Ti does not compromise on performance. It is ideal for both office work and gaming. The sophisticated cooling system ensures that it remains stable even under high loads and does not throttle due to overheating. This makes the G7 Ti an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful but space-saving replacement for a conventional desktop PC.
- You can get the AtomMan G7 Ti for Black Friday with the discount code BF120 with a 120 USD discount directly at Minisforum (discount valid until November 30, 2024)
Acemagic M2A
The Acemagic M2A, which comes in an exciting spaceship design with RGB lighting, is positioned slightly behind. However, the wings are not just a gimmick. On the underside, they ensure that fresh air is drawn in and can circulate. There are two fans on the sides that also blow the warm air out of the PC.
The M2A is equipped with the Intel Core i9-12900H, which has 14 cores with clock speeds of up to 5.0 GHz. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, which is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and delivers impressive gaming performance, is optionally used as the GPU. There is also 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1 terabyte M.2 2280 SSD connected via PCIe 3.0.
Numerous modern connections such as USB4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 or DisplayPort 1.4 are offered. On the front, the AceMagic M2A has a display that enables real-time monitoring of GPU and CPU temperatures, provides information on frequencies and other data. It can also be extensively personalized. Tip: The M2A is available at a significantly lower price on the manufacturer’s website.
Buying a mini PC: What you should look out for
Mini PCs are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who have little space but don’t want to do without a powerful computer. But what do you need to consider when buying a mini PC? Here are some important criteria that you should consider.
1. define the intended use
Before you buy a mini PC, you should think about what you mainly want to use it for. For simple tasks such as web browsing, email and office programs, a model with less memory and an average processor is often sufficient. For more computing-intensive applications, such as image editing or gaming, you will need a powerful processor and a good graphics card.
2 Processor and RAM
The processor is the heart of a mini PC. Here you should rely on well-known brands such as Intel or AMD. Intel Core i3 or i5 processors are often sufficient for simple applications, while an Intel Core i7 (or Ultra 7) or AMD Ryzen 5 and higher are recommended for more demanding tasks. The working memory (RAM) should be at least 8 GB – for gaming and creative applications, however, 16 GB or more is an advantage.
3. storage space and expandability
Many mini PCs come with SSDs, which ensure fast data access. A capacity of 256 GB is sufficient for everyday use, but if you store a lot of files or programs, you should consider at least 512 GB or a combination of SSD and HDD. Also check whether the storage space can be expanded – some models offer options for additional memory modules.
4. graphics card
If you want to use your mini PC for gaming or graphic design, a powerful graphics card is essential. In many cases, graphics cards are permanently installed, so it is important to opt for models that already have a dedicated graphics solution (e.g. Nvidia or AMD Radeon). For simpler applications, however, the integrated graphics are often sufficient.
5 Connectivity and connections
Mini PCs offer a different number of connections depending on the model. Make sure that the most important connections such as USB-C, HDMI or DisplayPort are available to connect monitors and other peripherals. Some Mini PCs also offer Thunderbolt connections, which enable particularly fast data transfer and the connection of external graphics cards.
6 Noise level and energy efficiency
As Mini PCs are often used in smaller rooms, quiet operation is an advantage. Most modern Mini PCs are very quiet or even fanless. They are also often more energy-efficient than large desktop PCs, which is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet.
The best mini PCs: Conclusion
Buying a mini PC requires a good understanding of your own needs and the options available on the market. If you know what you need the PC for and what your requirements are in terms of performance and features, you will easily find the right model. Mini PCs offer a space-saving and flexible solution for a variety of applications and are a real alternative to conventional desktop PCs.
