Posted on 09/18/2025 6:28:11 PM PDT by fireman15
Mini-PCs are space-saving, quiet, versatile and often cheaper than a classic desktop PC. We discuss the advantages and what you should look out for when buying in this guide.
Mini-PCs have been experiencing a real boom in recent years. No wonder, because these small desktop computers are powerful, space-saving, and flexible. This guide shows what a mini-PC actually is, where its strengths lie, and who can benefit the most from buying one.
Also, be sure to check out the PCWorld deals page where we highlight the best deals from around the web on mini-PCs, like the latest stellar deal on a GMKtec M3 Plus mini-PC, and more. In fact, mini-PCs are constantly going on sale for staggeringly low prices, so keep your eyes peeled while shopping and keep checking back with us to see the latest and greatest deals. (If you’re reading this article the day it goes live, we’re also tracking the best Amazon Prime Day mini PC deals.)
What is a mini PC? A mini-PC is a fully-fledged computer in a small format. In contrast to laptops, mini-PCs do without a battery and screen, which saves weight on the one hand and makes the small housing possible on the other—many models have a volume of less than one liter. At the same time, flexibility remains high: a monitor, mouse, keyboard, or external drives can be freely selected and easily replaced if necessary. If you like it neat and tidy, mount the mini-PC behind the monitor to save space or integrate it discreetly on the desk.
Despite their compact design, modern mini-PCs offer enough power for everyday tasks such as office work, surfing, streaming and even gaming. If you know your way around, you can even build your own mini PC with the right components.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
I need to look into that. My husband put all of our DVDs on Plex years ago; but it seemed like a chore.
I bought one a few months ago and love it. You HAVE to upgrade the RAM. I paid like $155 delivered and Windows was installed.
What CNC machine? I got an Artemis 300 back around 2021…
Also it’s good to have a nice external hard drive, which are also dirt cheap.
I use a Mini PC for daily tasks (but it does have a B580 video card attached via Oculink) and a tower for my premium gaming rig. There is no sense running that heater most of the time if I am only surfing the internet or doing productivity tasks.
It has been so long since I worked with dvd and Blu-ray disks, that I would have to look it up. The easiest way to get step by step instructions for this would be to ask Grok or ChatGPT.
I do know that to copy data streams from a device that I have splitters which inadvertently removed the DRM. My favorite software for recording programming that is being streamed is Audials One. Do not buy it at the full price... it is on sale for most of the year for $20 or less.
I use MakeMKV to rip DVDs and Blu Rays, then Handbrake to encode them to mp4. It’s simple — just launch the apps, load the files, and go. No “supervision” required. I’ve got a home server with over 500 movies and tv shows on it. I put stuff on it that is not available on any streaming platform.>>> Had to laugh i do the same process. My drive is on my wifi router and i can watch from anywhere. Also i have an LG tv that has an app that does the MKV videos. I encode the MKV to MKV using handbrrake as these files are smaller because i think they get rid of the crap on the blu-ray. I also have created the DVD player into a libredive.
I’ll get one if they offer Windows 7
It IS a chore, no doubt. I usually collect a few DVD or Blu Ray and do them all at once. Sometimes the computer is occupied for a full day doing its work. I use Plex to play the content from my home server. Plex runs on my Mac, on my Roku box, and on my Apple TV box.
Same experience here. I’ve got a couple of Dell micro-towers running Linux and they are my workhorses. Recently I’ve added an EVO X2 with 128G storage to run local LLMs.
I splurged years ago and bought a Synology NAS with several terabytes of storage. The machine has been rock solid reliable! The only issues have been the frequent updates to the Synology management software and the apps that run on the NAS. I’m often away for 3 to 5 months and every time I come back there are a ton of updates to do. Ugh. But, so far, the updating process has been straightforward and reliable.
I’ve got a large HDD sitting next to the Synology NAS and, once a week, the NAS backs up to the HDD.
My phone in no way could ever do what my mini pc does. It’s a desktop the size of a router.
” I am too lazy to supervise the Handbrake process. I want to set it up in my RV. I already made the RV “smart” using an iPad”
one of my co-workers has a car with one of those “smart” handbrakes, and there is no easy way to disable it since His main body control module is fried and he has not gotten around to debugging it.
These are the two that I own. They were both on sale for less when I purchased them. The first has very good cooling and you can easily upgrade the memory and the storage. It will take either a NVME an SSD or a 2.5” laptop hard drive. You should save the drivers with the command line when you get it... Instructions can be found on Grok or ChatGPT. If you don't do this there is a clone of another more popular brand which has driver downloads. The video driver from the AMD site does not work properly unless you use an easy but not self-explanatory method.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FJ8GXY36/
You can get it for $5 cheaper without the cute little webcam:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DTP216XS/
If you check the 30% off discount box the following one comes with more memory and a slightly better processor and a larger NVME for $167. You can add a second NVME. You absolutely have to use a hole saw to cut an opening in the top of the case directly above the fan and put a little screen on top of the hole. If you don't the cooling barely works and it will overheat and run like crap. The same cautions about saving your drivers with the command line immediately after getting it running apply.
Bump for later (BFL)
It is one I made myself. It runs with Mach3 and an Ethernet interface . Great little machine when I don’t need to fire up on of my industrial CNCs.
A brand with a good reputation: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beelink/page/E76F7A4A-070E-428C-9129-832B18C1493F
Nice!
Windows 7 might be a challenge unless you run it in a virtual machine. I have it running in a virtual machine on my laptop which has a Ryzen 2500u with no problems, but I have never tried getting it to dual boot in that laptop.
Windows 7 did not reach End of Life until 2020 The Ryzen 3500 and 3550 were released in January of 2019 so there are likely are drivers available, but it would take a little homework.
Oh, no, it'll only work for another 8 years.
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