Best Mini Desktop

The Beelink S12 Pro packs a lot of power into a tiny package. We were impressed by its 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake-N100 processor, which handled our everyday tasks with ease. The 16GB of RAM and 500GB SSD gave us plenty of room to work with multiple apps open.

We loved how small this PC is – it’s easy to tuck away behind a monitor or on a bookshelf. The two HDMI ports let us hook up dual 4K displays, which was great for multitasking. We found the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connections to be fast and reliable.

While it’s not meant for heavy gaming or video editing, we found the S12 Pro perfect for office work, web browsing, and streaming 4K videos. The fan can get a bit noisy under load, but it wasn’t too bothersome. For the price, we think this mini PC offers great value for basic computing needs.

We’ve been using the 2023 Mac Mini M2 for a few weeks now, and it’s clear that Apple has packed a lot of power into this tiny desktop. The M2 chip inside is a real workhorse, making quick work of everyday tasks and even handling more demanding jobs like video editing without breaking a sweat.

One thing we love about this Mac Mini is how small it is. It takes up barely any space on our desk, which is great for tight workspaces. Despite its size, it’s got a good selection of ports. We had no trouble connecting all our gear, from displays to external drives.

We did notice that you can’t upgrade the RAM or storage after purchase, so it’s important to choose wisely when buying. The base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD works well for most tasks, but power users might want to spring for more. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, we think the Mac Mini M2 offers great value for its performance and build quality.

The GMKtec G5 Mini PC grabbed our attention with its ultra-compact design. We were amazed at how such a tiny device could pack so much power. It fits perfectly on our crowded desk, taking up barely any space.

We put the G5 through its paces with everyday tasks. The 12th Gen Intel N97 processor handled web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without breaking a sweat. We even tried some light photo editing, and it performed admirably.

One thing we really appreciated was how quiet the G5 runs. The fan rarely kicks in, and when it does, it’s barely noticeable. This makes it great for use in quiet environments like bedrooms or small offices.

We did notice some limitations. The compact size means there’s not much room for upgrades. If you need more power down the line, you might need to replace the whole unit. Also, while it handled our everyday tasks well, we wouldn’t recommend it for heavy-duty work like video editing or gaming.

The dual HDMI ports let us set up a multi-monitor workspace, which we found super helpful for productivity. But we wished for more USB ports – with only three, we often had to unplug one device to connect another.

In our tests, the 4K video output looked crisp and smooth. We enjoyed watching high-res content on our big screen TV, making the G5 a nice option for a living room media PC.

We’ve been testing the GEEKOM AX8 Pro for a few weeks now, and we’re amazed at how much power is packed into such a small box. This mini PC packs a punch with its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and integrated Radeon graphics. We found it breezed through everyday tasks and even handled some light gaming without breaking a sweat.

The 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD make for snappy performance and quick boot times. We love that we can connect up to four displays, making it perfect for a multi-monitor setup. The 2.5Gbps LAN and WiFi 6E connectivity kept us online without any hiccups.

While it’s not cheap, we think the AX8 Pro offers good value for its specs. It did get a bit warm during intense workloads, but nothing too concerning. If you need a compact PC with serious power, this GEEKOM model is worth a look.

We’ve been testing the GEEKOM XT13 Pro mini PC, and we’re impressed by its performance. The 13th Gen Intel i9 processor flies through tasks, while 32GB of RAM lets us keep tons of apps and browser tabs open. The 2TB SSD gives us plenty of fast storage for our files and programs.

This little powerhouse supports up to four displays, which is great for multitasking. We hooked it up to two 4K monitors and had no issues with lag or stuttering, even when editing videos. The compact size is perfect for tight spaces – we mounted it behind our monitor to keep our desk clear.

We did notice the XT13 Pro can get warm during intensive tasks like gaming or video rendering. The fan noise isn’t too bad, but it’s noticeable in a quiet room. While it’s not cheap, we think it’s a good value for the performance you get in such a small package. If you need a tiny PC with big power, the GEEKOM XT13 Pro is worth a look.

The Intel NUC 12 packs a lot of power into a tiny package. We were impressed by how much performance it delivers in day-to-day use. The 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor zips through everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and light photo editing.

We love the compact size – at just 4.6 x 4.4 x 2 inches, it takes up hardly any desk space. Yet it still offers plenty of ports, including multiple USB 3.2 ports, HDMI, and even Thunderbolt 4. This makes it easy to connect all our peripherals.

The 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD provide snappy performance, but we like that both are upgradeable if needed. We had no issues running Windows 11 Pro smoothly. While not a gaming powerhouse, it handles casual games well thanks to the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics.

We did notice the NUC can get a bit warm when pushed hard, but the fan noise wasn’t too bothersome. For most home and office uses, this mini PC hits a sweet spot of performance and size. It’s pricier than some alternatives, but the quality and expandability make it worth considering for many users.

The MSI Cubi 5 Mini PC packs a lot of power into a tiny package. We were impressed by how much this little box could handle. It breezed through our usual workload of web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without breaking a sweat.

Setting up the Cubi 5 was a breeze. We had it up and running in minutes. The 12th Gen Intel i5 processor and 16GB of RAM kept things snappy, even when we had multiple apps open. We especially liked the fast 512GB SSD, which made booting up and loading programs quick.

We found the variety of ports really handy. The front USB and audio jacks were great for plugging in devices, while the rear ports let us connect multiple displays. Wi-Fi 6 gave us speedy internet, and we didn’t miss having an Ethernet cable. The Cubi 5’s tiny size let us tuck it away neatly on our desk, giving us more room to work.

We were amazed by the GEEKOM A8’s compact size when we unboxed it. Despite its small footprint, this mini PC packs a serious punch. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor handled everything we threw at it, from video editing to running multiple virtual machines.

The A8 really shines when it comes to connectivity. We connected four monitors with ease, turning our desk into a productivity powerhouse. The USB4 port is blazing fast, and Wi-Fi 6E kept us connected without a hitch. We appreciated the 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, which made multitasking a breeze.

While the A8 isn’t a dedicated gaming rig, we were pleasantly surprised by its ability to handle some lighter titles. The integrated Radeon graphics won’t replace a high-end GPU, but they’re more than capable for casual gaming and creative work. We did notice the fan kick in during intense tasks, but it wasn’t overly loud. For those needing a compact workhorse, the GEEKOM A8 is a solid choice.

The HP ProDesk 400 G9 Mini packs a lot of power into a tiny package. We were impressed by how much this little box can do. At just 7 inches wide and deep, it takes up barely any room on a desk. But don’t let the size fool you – this mini PC has some serious muscle.

Inside, there’s a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor that zips through tasks. We had no trouble running multiple apps and browser tabs at once. The 16GB of RAM and speedy 1TB SSD also helped keep things snappy. For everyday work and productivity, this mini desktop delivers desktop-class performance.

Connectivity is a strong point too. We counted 7 USB ports in total, including high-speed Type-C. There are also two DisplayPorts and HDMI, so you can easily hook up multiple monitors. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth are built-in for wireless convenience. The wired keyboard and mouse work well, though some may prefer to upgrade those.

The Beelink SER5 Pro packs a punch in a tiny package. We were impressed by its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, which handled our everyday tasks with ease. From web browsing to video editing, this mini PC kept up without breaking a sweat.

With 32GB of RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, we found the SER5 Pro to be snappy and responsive. Apps opened quickly, and multitasking was a breeze. We appreciated the option to add a 2.5-inch SSD for extra storage, though we didn’t need it during our testing.

The mini PC’s ability to drive three 4K displays caught our eye. We set it up with multiple monitors and enjoyed the extra screen real estate for work and play. The built-in Wi-Fi 6 kept us connected with fast, stable internet speeds.

While the SER5 Pro isn’t a gaming powerhouse, it handled some light gaming just fine. We played less demanding titles without issues, but don’t expect it to run the latest AAA games at high settings.

The compact size of this mini PC is a real space-saver. We tucked it behind our monitor using the included wall mount, freeing up valuable desk space. It runs quietly most of the time, only ramping up fan noise under heavy loads.