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 ...
Of course, I immediately began adding more RAM and storage to them and making a cooling modification to one of them. But the little guys are absolutely amazing. Both came with Windows 11 Pro out of the box, but because my primary use for each was in my amateur home lab I have multiple builds of Linux on each that I can boot to in the multiple boot configurations that I have set up. Or I can use them use in virtual machines within the various operating systems.
One can currently into boot five different operating systems. But I use it most frequently with Debian running Open Media Vault to share and backup files from a RAID Enclosure containing 2 Seagate 24TB hard drives. But I also use it with CasaOS with various applications. I also have various "Containers" that are used in Docker Desktop.
The other has Mini-PC has Ubuntu Server running in a virtual machine within Windows 11 which is hosting a Apache2 with a rudimentary WordPress webpage. But I have it so that it dual boots with ProxMox which is great for running multiple virtual machines.
I use both with various tutorial programs and reference materials to learn about servers and programming. And the really great thing is that they cost very little, they take up very little space and I don't tie up an expensive laptop or desktop with my experimentation. They are great little learning tools.
But I find myself using them more and more frequently for just day to day tasks such as starting this thread. The excerpt contains only a fraction of the article. This computer form factor is growing in popularity aided by the coming Windows 11 End of Life event coming on October 14. After that date if you are still using Windows 10, security issues will begin to become a greater threat, but for less than $150 you can get one of these little guys pretty much every day of the week and use it when you are online especially in uncharted waters without much worry.
As time has gone on I find myself recommending these to more and more of my friends so here is an article on them. The excerpt contains only a fraction of the full article. My personal recommendation would be to purchase one with a Ryzen proc
I think they call them phones now.
😂😂😂
Sorry, Windows 10 End of Life event coming on October 14.
You mean Windows 10, right?
I can’t adapt to internet on the phone; I need a desktop.
we bought a mini last year, and it’s been wonderful.
For our needs, it works just as well as the old big one and takes up about a third of the real estate.
I have some capable phones as well which are quite amazing, but they are in a completely different category and are not capable of doing what my mini-pc's can...
I use one to run a home built CNC machine. Works great and cheap.
You won the thread on the first post...
The other advantage is that they tend to use very little power especially at idle. So, when the one that I am using right now which is serving a website in the background with the monitor off... it is using less than 5 watts.
My next door neighbor has one attached to the back of each of his TVs because he prefers using them over a Roku, FireTV, AppleTV or other device for streaming. . Another friend has a MAC mini which he just loves
How did you rip dvd and Blu-ray? 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 but the media is lacking.
I know amateur astronomers, astrophotographers in particular, are adding them to their imaging setups with great results. You can run an amateur observatory, telescope and camera from your backyard while you are in your living room.They are incredible little machines.
Computing tasks on a phone is like doing carpentry in a car.
Yes, some people make a sincere effort to share or whatever, and others make a sincere effort to make fun of them.
Do these units have Bluetooth?
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.
They are also very useful in HAM radio setups. I have an SMA Software Defined Radio that can be easily controlled to perform all sorts of interesting functions such as tracking local air traffic using their transponders, or just listening to frequencies between 500 kHz to 1.7 GHz FM or AM with numerous options available.
Can you give an Amazon link to one you like?
Both of my most recent acquisitions came with Bluetooth and WiFi 5. One came with 1 LAN port, the other cae with 2. I upgraded both to WiFi 6 and a higher Bluetooth version with a $20 module from Amazon.
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