Mini PC

What is a mini computer?

There is nothing particularly mysterious about a mini computer: it is simply a small PC. A really small PC. As small as a computer can get while still offering the functionality you expect. At its most extreme, this can be a PC stick—a computer so tiny it plugs into a TV HDMI port like a video streamer.

Designing a tiny PC is accomplished through clever engineering, including adopting mobile CPUs to save space and reduce heat.

What are the benefits of using a mini PC, and are there any limitations?

There are several benefits to using a mini PC in place of a full-sized model. The primary advantage is space. With such a small form factor, a mini PC can be placed just about anywhere. Some are small enough to mount on the back of a TV or monitor, while a PC stick is tiny enough to plug directly into a TV.

That compact size also makes a Mini PC extremely portable, so it can easily be picked up and moved from one spot to another. With their energy efficient design, most mini PCs don’t have a fan so they can run virtually silently. They also use less power than a full-sized computer, making them less expensive to operate.

That compact size means there are some limitations to be aware of. While there are exceptions, most mini PCs are too small to accommodate a discrete graphics card and won’t have as many input ports as a full-sized PC. Thinking of them as a barebone PC helps to make the distinction. Generally speaking, a mini PC is less powerful than a full-sized PC, so it’s less suited to highly intensive computing tasks.

What can a mini PC be used for?

Mini PCs are designed for computing tasks that don’t require extreme processing power, and they excel when space is at a premium. They are popular for home use, as media servers and in a business environment where a computer is needed for basic tasks but desk space is limited.

For specialized use, there are high performance mini PCs equipped with Core i7 processors and even discrete video cards, made possible by employing advanced technology such as liquid cooling. Despite their diminutive size, these mini PCs are virtually miniaturized computer workstations.

Is there such a thing as a mini gaming PC?

Gaming computers are known for being big, with an enclosure, power supply and cooling system that can handle the fastest CPUs and latest graphics cards.

A miniaturized form factor makes all of this difficult. The best mini PC for gaming is likely a workstation-class mini PC, as it will have the most powerful CPU, more RAM and decent onboard graphics—possibly even a discrete graphics card. Virtually any mini PC with fast enough ports (typically Thunderbolt) can get its gaming capabilities seriously boosted by connecting to an external GPU.