Mini PCs, often called NUCs or thin clients, provide a compact alternative to laptops and desktops. These discreet devices excel at office work, video conferencing, and streaming. Some can even handle resource-intensive tasks like video editing and gaming. Our expert hardware reviewers rigorously tested each one, comparing internal specs and connectivity.
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Best Overall
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Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini
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Runner-up
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Asus ExpertCenter PN52
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Best Power
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Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit (‘Raptor Canyon’)
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Best Affordable
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MSI Pro DP21
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1. Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini
The IdeaCentre Mini is a compact PC suitable for home offices, secondary workspaces, or small businesses. Our reviewed configuration, boasts an impressive Intel Core i7-13700H processor, 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. The IdeaCentre Mini supports multiple monitors, offers useful ports, and features an attractive design. Keep in mind that upgrades are limited.
The Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (2023) is a compact desktop PC that packs impressive performance and connectivity features into a small form factor. Let’s dive into the details of this mini powerhouse:
Design and Build Quality
The IdeaCentre Mini sports a sleek and unobtrusive design, making it ideal for both home and small business use. Its low-profile chassis won’t clutter your desk space, and the build quality feels solid.
Performance
Under the hood, the IdeaCentre Mini is powered by an Intel 13th Gen Core i7-13700H CPU with integrated Iris Xe Graphics. This processor boasts a maximum turbo clock speed of 5.0GHz and features 14 cores (six Performance cores and eight Efficient cores). While this CPU is primarily designed for laptops, it delivers decent performance for a mini PC. Whether you’re handling office tasks, browsing the web, or streaming media, the IdeaCentre Mini keeps up admirably.
Memory and Storage
Our review unit comes with 16GB of DDR4-3200MHz RAM (populated in two slots with 8GB modules) and a 1TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC boot drive. The memory configuration strikes a good balance for office use, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness.
Connectivity and Ports
The IdeaCentre Mini offers plenty of connectivity options:
- Thunderbolt 4: This high-speed port allows you to connect external displays, storage devices, and other peripherals.
- DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1: You can easily set up multiple monitors for increased productivity.
- USB Ports: It features 1x USB-A 2.0, 3x USB-A 3.2, and 1x USB-C 3.2 ports.
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6 AX ensure seamless wireless communication.
Multi-Monitor Support
Whether you’re working on spreadsheets, coding, or creative projects, the IdeaCentre Mini accommodates multi-monitor setups. Its graphics capabilities allow for smooth display across multiple screens.
Cons and Considerations
While the IdeaCentre Mini delivers on performance and connectivity, there are a few limitations:
- No VESA Mount Included: If you plan to mount it behind a monitor, you’ll need to purchase a VESA mount separately.
- Limited Upgrade Capability: Due to its compact design, upgrading components like RAM or storage may be challenging.
- Pricing: Our test configuration is a bit pricey, but the overall package justifies the cost.
Verdict
The Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (2023) is a smart choice for those seeking a powerful yet space-saving desktop. Whether you’re working from home, managing a small business, or simply need a versatile PC, this mini marvel delivers on performance, connectivity, and build quality.
Keep in mind that the IdeaCentre Mini comes ready to use out of the box, so you can plug in your peripherals and get started right away. If you’re in the market for a compact desktop that doesn’t compromise on features, consider giving the IdeaCentre Mini a closer look.
2. Asus ExpertCenter PN52
The Asus ExpertCenter PN52 is slightly larger than the old Intel NUCs, measuring 2.3 by 4.7 by 5.1 inches. What sets it apart is its AMD Ryzen 7 mobile processor, which provides lively performance. The PN52’s chassis allows easy access and ample upgradability, accommodation.
The ASUS ExpertCenter PN52 Mini PC System is a compact and powerful desktop solution that offers impressive performance for its size. Here’s a detailed review based on available information:
Design and Build: The PN52 boasts a sleek and modern design, fitting for any professional environment. Its small form factor (2.3 by 4.7 by 5.1 inches) makes it an excellent choice for users with limited space. Despite its size, it provides easy access to storage slots and bays for upgrades.
Performance: Equipped with an AMD 8-Core R7-5800H processor, the PN52 delivers robust performance that can handle a variety of tasks with ease. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics are suitable for everyday computing needs, though not for high-end gaming or intensive graphic design work.
Memory and Storage: With 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD, the system offers ample memory and fast storage speeds, ensuring quick boot times and efficient data access.
Connectivity: The PN52 shines in connectivity options, featuring WiFi 6E and Bluetooth for wireless connections, along with a versatile array of ports including USB-C. This makes it easy to connect a wide range of peripherals and devices.
Operating System: It comes with Windows 11 Pro, providing the latest features and security enhancements from Microsoft.
Additional Features: The PN52 includes a VESA mount, adding to its versatility, allowing it to be attached to the back of a monitor for an all-in-one experience.
Overall, the ASUS ExpertCenter PN52 is a potent mini PC that offers a great balance of performance, design, and connectivity. It’s well-suited for business professionals, remote workers, and anyone looking for a space-saving desktop PC.
3. Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit (‘Raptor Canyon’)
The Intel NUC 13 Extreme is a pricey mini PC, featuring a powerful Core i9 CPU. Despite its classification, it’s quite large for its category, with dimensions surpassing those of some small-form-factor gaming PCs. Its size accommodates top-tier graphics cards, enabling exceptional gaming performance.
The Intel NUC 13 Pro, also known as the NUC13ANHi7 Arena Canyon Mini PC, is a compact powerhouse designed for business and home office use. Here’s a detailed review based on available information:
Performance: The Intel NUC 13 Pro is equipped with a Core i7-1360P processor, which is part of Intel’s Raptor Lake-P CPU family. This processor boasts 12 cores and 16 threads, providing robust performance for demanding applications. The 32GB of DDR4 RAM ensures smooth multitasking, while the 1TB SSD offers ample and fast storage for files and programs.
Design and Build: This mini PC maintains a very compact form factor, making it an excellent choice for space-constrained environments. It can easily be mounted under a desk or behind a monitor, preserving valuable workspace. Despite its small size, the build quality is solid, reflecting Intel’s commitment to durability.
Connectivity: One of the standout features of the NUC 13 Pro is its extensive connectivity options. It supports an 8K/4K quad display setup, which is ideal for users who need multiple monitors for productivity or entertainment. Additionally, it comes with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity, as well as Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer and peripheral connectivity.
Use Cases: The Intel NUC 13 Pro is versatile and can handle a variety of tasks. It’s well-suited for business applications, including running complex software and multitasking between numerous programs. For home office users, it offers a quiet and efficient operation, making it a discreet addition to any setup. Its support for high-resolution displays also makes it suitable for content creators and media enthusiasts.
4. MSI Pro DP21
The MSI Pro DP21 is a compact desktop that offers good performance despite its small size. It’s larger than an Intel NUC Pro but much smaller than traditional midtowers. Our review model includes an Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, a 256GB SSD, Windows 11 Home, and basic peripherals.
The MSI PRO DP21 boasts a compact and VESA-mountable design, making it an excellent choice for those with limited desk space. Its small footprint does not compromise on connectivity, offering a variety of ports for peripherals. The mini PC can be placed horizontally or vertically, providing flexibility in setup.
Performance: Equipped with an Intel Core i3-12100 processor and 8GB of memory, the MSI PRO DP21 delivers solid performance for everyday tasks such as office productivity, web browsing, and video streaming. The inclusion of a 250GB M.2 SSD ensures quick boot times and responsive application launches.
Graphics and Display: While the Intel UHD 730 Graphics may not be suitable for heavy gaming or intensive graphic design work, it supports 4K dual display, which is more than adequate for business presentations and multimedia consumption.
Connectivity: The device comes with WiFi 6 capability, ensuring fast and secure wireless connectivity. The presence of USB Type-C adds to the versatility, allowing for modern, reversible connections.
Upgradeability: One of the notable features is the ease of upgrading components. This ensures that the system can stay up-to-date with the latest hardware, extending its longevity and performance relevance.
Operating System: Running on Windows 11 Home, the MSI PRO DP21 is up-to-date with the latest Microsoft offerings, including security features and an intuitive user interface.