Notably, the M2 chip is far more power efficient than the x86 architecture found in most PCs. In terms of performance to watt, the Apple model will wipe the floor with most competitors, which makes the Mac mini ideal if you value efficiency in terms of both power and thermals. It runs a complete version of macOS and can even handle Windows on ARM using virtualization software like Parallels Desktop. Companies such as Beelink and MinisForum are among the main innovators in gaming mini PC’s. Their popular GTR series feature high performance AMD Ryzen based processors with integrated graphics. They are great for gaming as many games are optimised for AMD chipsets. You can for example play Call of Duty Modern Warfare II at good graphics settings at high resolution with ease. For the lower-end models, the SSD will likely be M.2 SATA, but higher end models are more likely to feature slightly faster M.2 NVMe SSDs instead. The performance probably won’t be noticeable in everyday applications. But will come to light during high loads (i.e., when you’re moving large files around). Except for the barebones version, all versions come with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. The barebones version does not include RAM and SSD; therefore, it does not have pre-installed Windows 11 Pro. As with desktop computers and laptops, the best RAM is a lot of RAM - as much as you can get. Especially if you’re using the mini PC for a lot of tasks. We recommend a bare minimum of 8GB memory, although 16GB and above is better. Are mini PCs good for gaming?

Each piece of hardware has passed a strict quality inspection and met the factory's standards before it is delivered to Minisforum. In addition, there is no difference in the warranty policies of these hardware suppliers. The fact of the matter is, most mini PCs aren’t explicitly designed to work with any kind of Linux distribution. This does not meant that they won’t work outright. It just means that there’s no guarantee it will work without any issues on your chosen distribution. The machine comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, the AM08 Pro which is a nice touch, although the boot times are slightly longer than machine running the home edition.Despite their name, mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from tiny machines like the Acemagician T8 Plus to the Apple Mac mini, which on the larger size. But they're all considerably smaller than a desktop, so if you're looking for a space-saver, they're ideal. You'll find plenty that even include a VESA mount for attaching the device to monitors to de-clutter the desk. Ensure you confirm the speed of the Ethernet port too. Excluding the most budget of budget models, most should be rated at a healthy 1000Mbp/s – which will be enough to accommodate use cases for almost any user (even power users/enthusiasts).

The intricacies (read: mess) of the USB naming schemes and generations is too much to get into here. So we’ll just leave it at the following: Separate from those is a host of PCs that are undeniably small but follow their own shape and size rules. Zotac, a major player in small PCs (and one of the category's unsung innovators), offers a huge range of Zbox PCs that range in size from a fat smartphone to a bulky Discman. Shuttle, too, is another small-PC pioneer, offering machines in a host of shapes. On the macOS side of things, the venerable Apple Mac miniis a sleek, square silver box with rounded edges that saw a big update in in January 2023. Like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, it received Apple's homegrown M1 and M2 processors, greatly increasing its performance. We are sorry but right now the UM790 Pro does not support PBO. The engineering team is still evaluating the stability of PBO. It does not support EXPO, either.CrystalDiskMark demonstrated impressive read and write speeds, with a read speed of 2800.72 MB/s and a write speed of 2423.33 MB/s. These speeds are again mid-range, fast but by means the fastest for this size and price of the machine. Some Mini PCs are designed to lay flat under a desk while others have a unique vertical design that allows them to be placed on top of your desk next to your monitor and within arm's reach. You can also completely conceal them behind your monitor if they come with VESA mounting holes. Mini PCs, sometimes known as think clients or NUCs, are ideal for light use, such as web browsing and video streaming. Some can even handle casual gaming sessions. But you won't find the raw power offered by the likes of the best mobile workstations.