Sales of computers plunged in the first three months of 2023, falling by 29 per cent – and that followed a similar drop in the final quarter of 2022. It’s clear that the pandemic boom in home technology – and computers in particular – has ended. However, some analysts expect one sector to buck this trend: mini PCs.
More people are realising that size really does matter after all. It’s not hard to see why. Continuing improvements in memory and processing strength are allowing manufacturers to cram power and speed into a box not much bigger than a wallet. If you configure these micro machines correctly and add the right peripherals, you’ll have a device every bit as useful as your existing tower PC.
But which model is best for your needs? And how should you configure it? We’ll explain everything you need to know in this feature, recommending the machines that have impressed us in recent months, and revealing how much memory, storage and speed you need for particular tasks.
You’re going to need all the information you can get because as mini PCs become more popular the range of devices on offer will expand greatly. We’ve gone far beyond the days when the concept of pocket-sized computers brought to mind the intriguing but limited abilities of the Raspberry Pi. In fact, mini PCs are now so versatile that people are buying them both as permanent replacements for desktop machines and to use as alternatives around the home where space is at a premium.
However you use your mini PC, you’ll find all the advice you need over the next seven pages.
How big are the mini PCs in our feature?
Listed in the order they appear – all measurements are in millimetres, height x width x depth (HxWxD)
• Geekom Mini IT11 45.6x117x112
• Intel NUC 12 Pro 33.4x117x112
• GMKtec NucBox G1 44x113x105
• Beelink U59 N5105 40x126x113
• Geekom Mini IT8 45.6x117x112
• Geekom MiniAir 11 34.2x117x112
• Dell OptiPlex 7000 36x182x178
CHOOSE THE BEST MINI PC FOR YOUR NEEDS
BEST MINI PCs FOR STREAMING TV
TV-streaming sticks are great – but aren’t always ideal. They have relatively limited storage designed only for hosting apps and an operating system. They’re also locked down to limit what you can do with them. So, if you want to use them to play your own music and movies, you’ll need to first set up a server using a program like Plex (), install the Plex app on the stick, then stream your media
