“Mini-PCs” are compact desktop computers that pack much of the power of a tower in a much smaller footprint. Depending on what you need, there are great options for general use, light gaming, content creation, or workstation tasks. I can walk through what to look for, and show some good current models if you like. Here are some pointers + examples.
What to Consider
Before picking a mini-PC, think about:
| Spec | Why it matters in mini form |
| CPU / GPU power | Mini-PCs often use laptop/low-power chips. If you want gaming or video editing, you’ll need more powerful / higher TDP chips or ones with discrete graphics. |
| Memory & Storage | RAM can be harder/non-possible to upgrade in some models. Storage sometimes is fixed or only one M.2 slot. |
| Thermals | Smaller chassis = less room for airflow. High load tasks can get quite loud or thermal-throttle. |
| Port selection | Need HDMI/DisplayPort, USB-C, maybe multiple monitors, ethernet vs. WiFi, etc. |
| Power & Size | The smaller, the more constrained. Also consider power adapter size, wattage, weight. |
| Upgradeability | Some mini PCs are “barebones” (you supply RAM/SSD), others are fixed. If you want to upgrade later, pick one with that flexibility. |
Recent Mini-PC Trends (2025)
Some interesting recent developments:
- Apple’s Mac mini M4 is regularly called “best overall” in many reviews. Tom’s Guide+2TechRadar+2
- Budget Windows mini PCs like the Geekom A5 (2025) give good value below ~$300. Tom’s Guide+1
- On the higher end, there are very powerful, compact machines with laptop-class discrete GPUs. Eg. Minisforum’s models like the AtomMan G7 and others. TechRadar+1
- AI / “Copilot+ / Windows-on-ARM” mini PCs are emerging (e.g. Snapdragon X, Windows on ARM) with NPUs built in. Windows Central
Good Mini-PCs Today
Here are some good examples (newer 2025 models) across different price/performance tiers. If you tell me budget + use (gaming, editing, office, etc.), I can narrow to those that suit you best.
 |  |  |
| Apple Mac mini (M4) $599.00•Apple + others | Beelink SER8 Ryzen 7 8745HS Mini PC $499.00•Beelink | Geekom A6 Ryzen 7 6800H Mini PC $449.00•geekompc.com |
Here’s a breakdown:
Top Picks & Their Trade-Offs
- Apple Mac mini (M4)
Great for Mac ecosystem, creative work, video editing, etc. Strong efficiency, good ports. Downside: not very upgradeable. - Beelink SER8 Ryzen 7 8745HS Mini PC
Very good performance for price. Useful for multitasking, light gaming, etc. Might run hot under load. - Geekom A6 Ryzen 7 6800H Mini PC
Solid mid-upper tier. Ryzen 7 class CPU, nice GPU (integrated), good RAM & storage. Good “all-rounder.” - ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ (Intel Ultra 7)
More premium, more features/ports, likely better build, more future-proof. Higher cost. - Intel Twin Lake‑N150 Basic Mini PC
Very basic, good for light duties, media, maybe home server, etc. Not for heavy workloads. - Acemagic S3A Ryzen 7 5700U Mini PC
Decent performance in mid-budget range. Good value vs price. - Minisforum UM790 Pro Ryzen 9 7940HS
High performance. Great if doing demanding tasks (video editing, streaming, etc.). Larger power draw, price. - ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim Barebone
Barebones meaning you’ll supply RAM / storage. Good if you want to customize a bit or reuse parts. More work to set up, but flexible.