The 7 best mini PCs for every budget

These small and portable devices have as much power as desktop devices and can be perfect for casual users, workstation users, and even gamers. Saving space without compromising performance and features has never been easier with the best mini PCs on the market today.

1. Beelink SER6 Max 7735HS

Beelink was one of the first companies to adopt AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors for its mini PCs, and the reasons are clear. Beelink SER6 Max 7735HS's 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU can beat almost every other chip in its price range. The powerful processor is backed by 32GB of DDR5 4800MT/s RAM and a 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD.

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The SER6 Max combines exceptional performance with impressive cooling, premium design and construction, and future-ready specifications. You will get dual USB3.2 ports as well as dual USB4 ports capable of 40Gbps. The power supply magnetically connects to the device to power up to four displays thanks to 12-core Radeon graphics.

SER6 Max is a reliable upgrade compared to Beelink's SER6 Pro. With the same processor as the Pro, the Max model boosts TDP to deliver improved performance. You also get an upgraded design, better specs, and more memory and storage options.

2. Beelink SER5 Max 5800H

If you want a powerful mini PC that costs less than $500, the Beelink SER5 Max 5800H will meet that need. With an 8-core, 16-thread, 54W processor, this powerful yet affordable device is built to perform. 32GB of DDR4 3200MT/s RAM and 1TB Gen3 NVMe storage round out the core specs.

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SER5 Max supports up to 3 displays, powered by 8-core Vega graphics. Despite having DDR4 RAM and previous generation PCIe 3.0 storage, you still get the same WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. You can always expand memory and storage if you want. Other highlights include 3 USB3.2 ports and dual cooling fan setup.

Beelink SER5 Max may not be as powerful as other mini PCs, but the value it brings is extraordinary. You're getting enough power for a home workstation or a typical gaming PC. Note that you may have to lower high CPU temperatures by reducing TDP in some cases.

3. HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation

There are plenty of mini PCs masquerading as 'workstations', but if you really want desktop-level workstation capabilities in a mini PC, the HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation is really worth considering. . Customize the configuration any way you want, but you should combine the Intel Core i7-13700K and Nvidia RTX A2000 to get real productivity levels.

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The biggest selling point of this HP workstation is the ability to equip it with a full-power 125W desktop-class Intel processor in an extremely compact size. Also configure it to have up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and 8TB of Gen4 NVMe storage. With such specs, it can easily handle everything from video editing and 3D design to engineering applications.

Despite its incredible performance, you can easily mount it behind a monitor or under a desk.

4. Apple Mac mini M2

You may be familiar with Apple's MacBook and iMac, but the Apple Mac mini M2 is the cheapest Mac you can buy. The Mac mini packs incredible power thanks to its sleek and stylish appearance, thanks to Apple's impressive M2 silicon. Even on the cheapest variant with 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM, you can still handle most of your workloads.

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The first version of the Mac mini seemed lacking in memory (especially since you couldn't upgrade it later). You can pay more to get upgraded models, but that's not where the Mac mini offers the best value. The base model has an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, along with dual USB-A ports, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone jack.

If you're a macOS user, all your apps will run better than ever on Mac mini. You can even install Windows on your Mac and take advantage of the awesome M2 chip.

5. Acemagic CK11 11320H

Office use often requires connectivity, expandability and compactness, the Acemagic CK11 11320H meets all those requirements, even performance. With a powerful quad-core Intel Core i5-11320H processor, the CK11 is suitable for handling any common office tasks you throw at it.

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The i5-11320H CPU speeds up to 5GHz, while the mini PC's impressive heat dissipation keeps it cool. You get 4 USB3.0 ports, dual HDMI, and Ethernet, among others. 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB of Gen3 NVMe memory let you run all popular office software, such as MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe After Effects.

The Acemagic CK11's 5-inch x 5-inch size can easily support up to 3 displays and can be mounted behind your display using a VESA mount.

6. Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit

Intel's NUC (Next Unit of Computing) has been extremely popular with entry-level PC builders and SFF enthusiasts. The Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit is specifically aimed at serious gamers who want a discrete desktop GPU for the best possible gaming experience.

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This mini PC measures 14 x 8 x 5 inches, slightly larger than traditional mini PCs, but the additional space allows you to install the desktop graphics card you want. Furthermore, it is equipped with an Intel Core i7-12700 CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM, and 515GB NVMe storage that you can expand according to your needs.

The NUC 12 Extreme Kit costs much more than other mini PCs, plus you need to factor in the price of the graphics card. However, for gamers who want a powerful and high-spec gaming PC in a compact form factor, this option may be worth considering.

7. Intel NUC 12 Pro

For those who want the most control over the configuration of their mini PC, the basic kit can be the perfect choice. The Intel NUC 12 Pro is a simple mini PC equipped with a 12-core, 16-thread Intel Core i7-1260P processor. You can equip it with the RAM and storage options you want.

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The NUC12 Pro's 4.6-inch x 4.4-inch size can accommodate up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. You'll also get plenty of connectivity options with dual Thunderbolt 4, three USB3.2 ports, dual HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. You can choose to install Windows or create a USB boot Ubuntu if you prefer Linux.

Intel Irix Xe graphics are quite suitable for everyday use, supporting up to 2 monitors. You can build a solid mini PC with this basic kit for under $1,000, making this an option worth considering for tinkerers and enthusiasts.

Micah Soto

Update 15 December 2023