What are the pros and cons of mini PCs and how to choose one?
Mini PCs are becoming more and more popular, but some people think that they are not as portable as a laptop, nor as powerful as a desktop PC. Also, there are many types of mini PCs, which can make it difficult to choose when considering buying a computer.
In this article, we will compare mini PCs with laptops and desktop PCs, explain the different types of mini PCs, and explain how to choose a mini PC.
Comparison with a laptop
Compared to a laptop, a laptop is certainly more portable. A mini PC requires a monitor, keyboard and mouse to be connected, so it is difficult to carry everything with you.
The core components of mini PCs, such as CPU and memory, are basically the same as those used in laptops, so in theory there is no difference in performance, but the actual performance is related to factors such as BIOS, heat dissipation, and power supply. Laptops usually adjust the BIOS and power output based on the capabilities of their cooling system. Mini PCs have much looser size restrictions than laptops, so as long as the BIOS settings do not limit performance, and the output is high enough, the actual performance will be better than that of laptops.
And because the memory and SSD of a laptop cannot be expanded, it will slow down after years of use and you will need to delete or transfer files regularly. There are many mini PCs that allow you to expand the memory and SSD, and some models are designed to allow easy access to the inside. From this point of view, mini PCs are more convenient.
Mini PCs do not have built-in batteries, and the available volume and thickness are larger, so the space for the cooling system is larger than that of a laptop, and the cooling performance is definitely stronger. And the smaller the fan diameter, the louder the noise when rotating at high speed, and the larger the fan diameter, the quieter the noise.
Therefore, compared to laptops, mini PCs don't have the advantage in terms of portability, even though they are lighter, but they do have better performance, cooling effect and noise level.
Comparison with desktop PCs
Since the mini host's CPU is a mobile platform, its power consumption is 35W to 100W, while the desktop CPU power consumption is 65W to 400W, so there is no doubt that the desktop is superior in terms of performance.
But for most people, except for gamers and professional users, the performance of a mini PC is enough for browsing the Internet, watching videos, writing documents, etc. And some games that don't require such powerful performance can also be played on a mini PC.
So, for gamers and professional users, a desktop PC can better meet their needs, but for most people, a mini PC is a better choice due to its smaller size, lower power consumption, and simpler and better appearance.
Types of Mini PCs
Mini PCs vary in performance depending on the CPU they use, and also in configuration and price. Generally, mini PCs can be divided into three categories: low-power models, general-purpose models, and high-end models.
- Low power consumption model
The standby power consumption is only 5W-10W, and the full load power consumption is about 30W, which is especially suitable for 24-hour use without shutting down, such as soft routing and all-in-one servers. Take the Intel N100 for example, although the built-in graphics performance is weak, the video encoding and decoding function is very powerful, so it can be used as STB or NAS. Of course, it can also run systems such as Win10, Win11, and Linux smoothly, and can be used for office work and daily entertainment.
- General model
Mini PCs for the general public use mid-range and previous generation high-end CPUs, such as R5-6600H, R7-5700U, R7-5800H, and R9-6900HX. A few models also use 11th to 13th generation Core i5 and i7. The performance of these models is sufficient for daily office work, allowing you to open a dozen or even 20 or 30 Office or browser windows at the same time. And the performance of AMD's built-in GPU is relatively strong, allowing you to play 1080P and medium quality 3A games.
- High-end model
When it comes to CPUs used in high-performance mini PCs, AMD's R7-7840HS is the main choice, with a few R7-8845HS and R9-7940HS. Intel mostly uses 12th to 14th generation i7 and i9. The main advantage of Intel CPUs is video encoding and decoding, or compatibility with virtual machines. To play games, you need the built-in GPU of the latest Core Ultra processor. In terms of usage, high-performance mini PCs are all-rounders, suitable for office work, entertainment, software development, and can also be used as home servers.
Conclusion
When choosing a computer, you need to consider power consumption, performance, memory and design based on your intended use.
If you are often on the go, a laptop is recommended, while a desktop PC is more suitable for gamers and professionals. If you want to use a keyboard and mouse comfortably and don't have the space to set up a PC on your desk, consider a mini PC.
