Technology is just getting better and better, our devices are becoming smaller and having more punch. In comes the mini PC, small, yet powerful as they say, it packs in all that you want to use on a daily basis. Whether you are into work or entertainment, a mini PC allows you to save space and flexibility at the same time to be able to handle all your demands.
Their tiny sizes are not a misleading idea; mini PCs used nowadays are quite powerful. Back in the days, you could not just think of a workhorse computer without a bulky desktop tower to take your daily work. And this was well deserved since the desktop towers were much more powerful in comparison to the mini PCs.
- Mini PCs Offer Powerful Performance Despite Their Small Size: Advancements in hardware over the past two years have made mini PCs capable of performing most daily computational tasks with ease, rivaling traditional desktop computers.
- Mini PCs Conserve Space and Enhance Flexibility: Their compact size allows them to save desk space, and they can even be mounted behind monitors, making them ideal for small or space-limited work environments.
- Cost-Effective Solutions for Most Users: Mini PCs are available at affordable prices, starting as low as $150, providing sufficient power for routine tasks at a fraction of the cost of laptops or desktop PCs.
- Quiet Operation and Energy Efficiency: Mini PCs typically use energy-efficient CPUs, generating less heat, which allows for quieter operation and reduced utility costs through lower energy consumption.
- Suitable for a Wide Range of Tasks and Highly Portable: Modern mini PCs can handle everything from web browsing and office work to gaming and video editing, while their small footprint makes them easy to carry and ideal for mobile setups.
Nevertheless, due to the development of the hardware in the course of the past two years, mini PCs are now even more powerful devices that are able to perform the majority of daily usage computational tasks without difficulties. These compact boxes are more powerful than what desktop computers can run a short time back.
As an example, consider the 2024 Mac mini. It runs on the 10-core M4 chip and 10-core GPU of Apple. There is an M4 Pro also, in either a 12- or 14-core allied with a 16- or 20-core GPU, correspondingly. Memory begins at 16GB and can be customized to a huge 64 GB according to preference.
Well, if you are a fan of Windows, then you should take a look at Beelink SER9 Pro. It comes in two optional CPUs; that made by AMD (Ryzen AI 9 365, 10-core CPU with 12-core GPU, and the Ryzen 9 HX 370, 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU). The available speed of enhancement is up to 5.0 GHz and 5.1 GHz, respectively, and you will have an option between 32GB/1TB or 64GB/2TB storage and memory.
That is some serious hardware by current standards and such machines can be used to do nearly anything without breaking a sweat. They will pass through routine chores such as web surfing, office, video conferencing and media streaming like a breeze with their strength. They can even perform more tasking ones like gaming, video editing, and software enhancement.
And most of the people are not doing heavy jobs to deserve having stronger hardware than they can find in mini PCs. Even a low-powered central processing unit can do most tasks today.
Let us take as an example the 2024 Mac mini. The twelve-inch MacBook is run by the 10-core M4 chip and 10-core Graphics Processing Unit. It also has an M4 Pro variant, equipped with either 12 or 14 cores, combined with 16 or 20 cores GPU, respectively. The memory comes at 16GB and can be expanded to an incredible 64GB according to the requirements.
3They Conserve Space
Much of the space in your office will be saved as one of the greatest benefits of purchasing a mini PC. Their miniature size implies that the PC takes up a small portion of your desk space, as compared to the old desktop devices, which take up a large space in your desk. You can even mount it behind your monitor, heck.Take the 2024 Mac mini, as an example. It runs on the 10-core M4 chip of Apple with 10-core GPU. It also has an M4 Pro model, which has 12 cores of CPU to 14 with 16, and 20-core GPUs, respectively. It comes with 16GB of memory, and you can customize it as much as you like up to a stunning 64GB.
By comparing with our two models, Beelink SER9 Pro has the dimension 5.3 x 3.3 x 1.7 inches with a weight of only 3.21 pounds. M4 Mac mini, conversely, is merely 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.0 inches and weighs only two pounds or so (the heaviest of the two, M4 Pro, weighs only 1.6 pounds).
Mini PC is ideal on small working environments with limited space demands. The other benefit of small footprint is that they are mobile and can be picked easily, just like laptops. Naturally, mini PCs are not as convenient as laptops as you will have to use a mouse, keyboard, and a portable monitor.
2They are Less Expensive Than You Believe
Mini PCs are available at very affordable prices, despite being more than sufficient in terms of the capacity to offer power to most of the people and their tasks. Entry level mini PCs cost as little as 150-200 dollars with some costing even lower.
An example is the GMKtec Mini PC, a low-end model which begins at about $158 at the time of this writing. It is powered by 16GB of RAM, 512 GB storage, and a processor by Intel, N150. The Mac mini M4 starts at 599 dollars with 16/256 GB spec while Beelink SER9 series starts at around 829 dollars. An even cheapest predecessor that the Beelink currently has is the previous generation SER8 mini PC, which even has a 24GB RAM and 1TB storage device that starts at a price of 479 USD.
Related
Mini PC vs. Desktop PC: What Should You Buy?
You need the big, bulky desktop PC? Now it is high time to switch to a mini PC.
1They’re Quiet and Energy-Efficient
When you compare costs, it’s not just about the sticker price. Mini PCs also help you save money on energy costs. They often use efficient CPUs that generate less heat, allowing manufacturers to build models with smaller, quieter fans or, in some cases, no fans at all.
Energy efficiency is another significant benefit of opting for a mini PC, as they utilize power-efficient CPUs compared to full-sized tower PCs. For context, the TDP (Thermal Design Power) of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor used in Beelink’s SER9 Pro is just 65W, the same as the base version of Apple’s M4 chip. That’s almost half the default TDP of AMD’s desktop-class Ryzen 9 9900X3D.
It might not seem like a significant difference, but over the course of a year, lower electricity usage can trim your utility bills, especially if you leave your computer running for extended periods each day.
Modern mini PCs might be the only computers you’ll ever need in 2025 and beyond. They’re portable, energy-efficient, and affordable compared to desktop PCs, and yet powerful enough for most tasks.
