Top 5 Best Mini PCs in 2024

Buying a desktop computer for Windows? If you’re willing to spend the money, obtaining a powerful power tower or a swift business box is simple. However, there are instances when the tiniest computer that can accomplish the task is all you need. Since the early days of the PC, we at thegadgetex have tested desktops of all sizes, and between our knowledgeable analysts and editors, we have hundreds of years of combined experience. Every year, we evaluate dozens of desktop computers by running exacting, standardized tests on them with industry-standard software to evaluate the subtleties of CPU and graphics performance. We also assess critical features like connectivity, design, usability, included software, and (of course!) price. Due to its impressive speed and connection for the price, Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Mini is now our top pick for a small PC for the majority of customers. Continue reading for more tested, vetted picks, followed by detailed buying advice and a spec comparison that will help you pinpoint the best mini desktop PC for how you compute.

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Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Mini PCs in 2024

1.Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (2023)

Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Over the years, Lenovo has entered and exited the desktop micro PC market with IdeaCentre models for consumers and ThinkCentres for enterprises with limited space. The IdeaCentre Mini 2023 edition, with its low-profile, small chassis suitable for both homes and small businesses, truly serves both purposes. PC manufacturers including Lenovo, Asus, HP, and MSI are stepping in to fill the void left in the market by Intel’s now-canceled NUC (Next Unit of Computing) initiative with pre-made solutions. The IdeaCentre Mini comes pre-configured with memory, storage, and Windows 11 Home, making it easier to operate than some other mini-models that require you to create, buy, and supply the RAM, boot drive, and operating system. Simply insert a monitor (or several, thanks to a host of outputs including Thunderbolt 4), a keyboard, and a mouse to get started. Consider this a smart, lower-slung alternative to the slightly more compelling Geekom AS6 we reviewed just before this model, if you’re unable to find one of those in its Ryzen 9 trim.

An Intel 13th Gen Core i7-13700H CPU with integrated Iris Xe Graphics powers our IdeaCentre Mini review unit. The i7-1300H features 14 cores (six Performance; eight Efficient), with a maximum turbo clock speed of 5.0GHz. This processor, like those found in the majority of tiny PCs, is essentially a mobile microprocessor designed primarily for laptop use. However, as opposed to the lower-power P and U series intended for thinner, lower-impact devices, the H-series CPUs are typically found in gaming and power-user notebooks.

There are two DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM slots on the IdeaCentre Mini. Both of these slots on our review computer have 8GB modules installed in them for a total of 16GB. You would need to take out the case, disassemble it, and bump up the RAM.one or both SO-DIMMs, and replace them with higher-capacity 16GB modules. Lenovo cites a maximum RAM capacity of 32GB, which should be enough for arduous tasks like video editing or intense multitasking.

For storage, the boot drive in our review unit was a 1TB M.2 SSD. (Lower-end configurations of the Mini come with a 512GB M.2 SSD.) The IdeaCentre Mini has two full-size M.2 slots that take up to 80mm-length SSDs, though Lenovo cites a peak capacity of 1TB per slot. The boot drive occupies one.

2.ECS Liva Z5 Plus

Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

In the last year, a threshold was crossed wherein Mini PC designs may now provide at least as much power as a desktop PC. Because of this, a lot of people and companies are selecting them over Mini Towers and other form factors.

The ECS EliteGroup Liva Z5 Plus, which uses Intel’s Raptor Lake-U mobile architecture to give a lot of speed in a package that uses a lot of power, is representative of the hardware we’ve seen since 2022. It can therefore be mounted on the back of a monitor for some discrete computing because it is compact and silent.

This design will be available from ECS in Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 variations, as well as with silicon that supports vPRO. There is a 3-year warranty and an MSRP of We checked out the all-rounder model, with Intel Core i5, 2x 8G RAM, 256G SSD, and Wi-Fi 6.

In particular, the evaluation system had an Intel Core i5 1335U with ten cores and twelve threads, 256GB of M.2 storage, and 16GB of Hynix DDR4 memory (2x8GB). There is an M.2 slot for user-implemented upgrades and memory slots that are accessible internally.

This computer can be upgraded if you’re willing to remove the pre-installed memory and storage, but it doesn’t offer any open slots or a SATA option.

This is a well-built system with the appropriate port selection to function as a firewall or to play media to many displays. We have examined a few of the best micro PCs. However, it doesn’t have the same visual impact as the most recent AMD Ryzen-powered computers.

The asking price fails to acknowledge that competing platforms, such as MinisForum, provide far more potent platforms for less.The LIVA Z5 Plus offers the unique advantage of having a mainly metal case, depending on where they will be utilized. Only the top of the chassis is plastic; the sides and bottom are made entirely of metal, not thick metal that was cut from a single block.

After passing over the motherboard and through the sides, air is pulled in and then expelled through a slot that crosses the back above the I/O section.

Three USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 ports and one USB-C port, which ECS claims to be USB 4.0 2×2, are located on the front face. Most users will utilize the 3.5mm universal audio connection on the front, which is located in addition to the power button, to connect headphones.

Unlikely, there are no USB connections on the back at all. Instead, the space is divided between three video ports (two HDMI and one DisplayPort) and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports. The specs of these video ports are HDMI 2.0b and DP1.4, and in theory, it is possible to get another display from the USB-C port using Alt DP mode.

3.Asus NUC 14 Pro

Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

As part of Intel’s commitment to “enable our ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth,” Asus has released the NUC 14 Pro in two variants: a fully functional model that comes preconfigured, and another that is a stripped-down kit that lacks RAM, storage, and an operating system. The small PC comes with a longer-than-average three-year warranty from the manufacturer.

The NUC 14 Pro has the processing power of a high-end laptop thanks to Intel Core Ultra H-class processors. A few of the new CPUs are compatible with Intel’s vPro Enterprise to make large-scale remote monitoring and deployment easier. One such CPU is the Core Ultra 7 165H in our test unit. That again, if you’re looking for a device for simple duties like digital signage or kiosk duty, you can also purchase the NUC 14 Pro with a cheap Core 3 100U. Only Core Ultra chips provide greater advanced Intel Arc integrated graphics and a built-in neural processing unit (NPU).

The NUC 14 Pro has a 4.6 by 4.4-inch footprint, making it compact enough to be held with one hand. With the exception of the absence of a 2.5-inch drive port, the Slim edition and the Tall version under evaluation are similar, standing 2.1 and 0.6 inches taller, respectively. The Asus measures 1.5 by 5.8 by 4.7 inches, making it even smaller than the ECS Liva Z5 Plus.The NUC 14 Pro is made mostly of durable plastic, however the baseplate is made of metal. The latter is screwed onto a VESA monitor mount that is included. The only decorative element on the bite-sized black box is the Asus logo, which detracts from its overall lackluster design.

The remarkable networking capabilities of the NUC 14 Pro begin with an Intel AX211 networking card that supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which doesn’t require an external antenna. The front panel offers one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and the power button. Around the back are two more USB-A ports (one 3.2 Gen 2 and one legacy USB 2.0), two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 video outputs, and a 2.5Gbps Intel Ethernet jack. Using the Thunderbolt ports for DisplayPort output, the NUC 14 Pro supports four monitors.

Other features on the back of the device are the jack for the external AC adapter in the laptop form and a cable lock slot, which is necessary for a device that may be used in a public place. The NUC 14 Pro, like the majority of mini PCs, is just too little to fit an internal power source. Depending on the CPU you select, the adapter delivers 90 or 120 watts. The 2.5-inch bay is hidden by a notch beneath the rear ports.

4.MSI Cubi NUC 1M

Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Cubi NUC 1M from MSI comes in a number of SKUs (15, to be exact) including CPUs from the Intel Core 3, 5, and 7 families. You have a selection of chips, ranging from the entry-level Core 3 120U (ideal for basic PC tasks and signage) to the powerful 10-core/12-thread Core 7 150U (which, in spite of the nomenclature, is a “Raptor Lake”-class chip, not one of the newest “Meteor Lake” Core Ultras). Rivals with more cores and threads, a neural processing unit, and Arc-based integrated graphics include the Asus NUC 14 Pro and the Core Ultra 165H. Options for the Cubi NUC 1M range from preconfigured, ready-to-use systems that come with an operating system to barebones configurations that allow you to add your own software higher capacity, memory (SO-DIMMS, up to 64GB) and storage. MSI stands behind the tiny cubes in both forms with a three-year warranty, comparable in length with Asus’; MSI’s plan offers advanced replacement in the event of a warranty incident.]

The Cubi NUC 1M from MSI was designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Reducing landfill waste, its black plastic shell comprises 42.9% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. The semi-gloss-finished case has MSI branding, but other than that, it’s just a black box. It is slightly larger than the Asus NUC 14 Pro and the ECS Liva Z5 Plus, measuring 5.3 by 5.2 by 1.9 inches, yet it still fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and is VESA mountable (100×100).

MSI accesses ambient air on the bottom via a perforated metal plate. A tiny fan circulates air within a CPU-attached heatsink and out the back. During benchmarking, the fan could be heard, but neither the tone nor the it get excessively loud. I can barely hear it sitting a few feet away on the desk for typical desktop functions (think Microsoft Office work, watching videos, and the like). It would be even harder to hear if mounted behind a monitor or under a desk.

The Cubi NUC 1M from MSI has a ton of connections packed inside. You receive built-in Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E for networking. There are two Intel-based 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the wired side. While MSI notes that the dual setup aids in redundancy and troubleshooting, including network segmentation and security, it makes no mention of the possibility of combining them for even faster speeds. (Does a NUC require that?)

It is a sub-liter box with six USB connections. In addition to the power button, the front of the device has a blue drive-activity light, a recessed circular power button, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A ports, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm combination microphone/headphone line.

5.HP Z2 Mini G9

Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Our favorite desktop workstations from HP are the little Z2 Mini models. Despite the fact that we didn’t find many issues with the previous model, HP chose to revamp it nonetheless, and the result is the best model to date: the Z2 Mini G9. This small workstation performs much better thanks to Intel’s 12th Generation “Alder Lake” hardware, and the updated edition even has space for an industry-standard removable graphics card. Expandability will naturally increase with tower chassis size, but the Z2 Mini G9 should still be your first choice if space conservation is your top priority. As a super-petite workstation, it easily wins Editors’ Choice.

Of course, the Mini G9’s body isn’t big enough to accommodate everything; computers this compact are forced to use external power bricks a la laptop, since there isn’t space for an internal power source. The 180- or 280-watt adaptor that comes with the workstation is available. The Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit, a tiny PC, is comparable in power to the HP but is much larger (7.4 by 4.7 by 14 inches, or almost 2.5 times the volume), and it only uses CPUs that consume 65 watts instead of the full capacity. The HP remarkably reaches 125-watt processors, such the flagship Intel Core i9-12900K in our test device, that are found in full-size towers.

The Z2 Mini G9 requires no desk because it can be mounted using an optional VESA mount to sit behind a monitor or beneath a desk space at all. For desk use, it can rest horizontally on its rubber feet or sit vertically in its included stand. Showing off HP’s attention to detail, the Z logo on the front can be rotated to match the orientation. The power button is on the opposite side.

Three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two DisplayPort video outputs (for the integrated graphics of the Intel CPU), and high-bandwidth 10Gbps Ethernet make up the backplane connectivity. Our unit’s 12GB Nvidia RTX A2000 graphics card has four mini-DisplayPort video outputs. Completing the piece are the power connector and a Kensington lock slot.

On the right side are the remaining ports. All configurations come with a headphone jack, however two of what HP refers to as “flex banks” include other ports that you can customize. Three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports—two Type-A and one Type-C—on the left bank of our device facilitate power delivery.

As an alternative, the left bank can accommodate more video outputs (DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA) or additional ports (serial, Ethernet, USB Type-A, or Thunderbolt). Although it is empty in this instance, the right flex bank can be customized with two more USB-A ports and a serial port. The Z2 Mini G9 has the ability to accommodate an astounding eight monitors, depending on the ports that you select. Even if the system wasn’t initially ordered with the flex banks, they can be altered after purchase because they are removable. The I/O on this small workstation is quite good overall.

It only takes a few seconds to access the all-metal chassis of the Z2 Mini G9; simply press the rear release tab and move the top half of the chassis backward. Owners who are concerned about security can use the Kensington lock slot to block access. The system also has a tamper lock, which uses sensors to detect if the chassis is opened and automatically locks the BIOS.

Not a millimeter is wasted in the neatly organized interior. The eye-catching copper CPU heatsink uses a vapor chamber to improve effectiveness. Its cooling fan is generally well behaved, though the noise can be noticeable; you might get some looks in a quiet office while stressing this system to the max. In general use, however, the workstation makes little noise.

Buying Guide: The Best Windows Mini PCs for 2024

There is a discernible segmentation in the market for small desktop computers. The tiniest PCs might be referred to as the “stick class,” which was led by the Intel Compute Stick with an Atom CPU, which we evaluated back in early 2015 (and later again in its upgraded Cherry Trail Atom and Core m3 versions). Similar sticks were also produced by Asus, Azulle, Lenovo, and other companies.

Stick PCs are still available, however they are best suited for very simple programs or use in display/signage settings. Despite a strong start those years ago, they have not really advanced or gained much traction. The form size is simply too small to expand beyond those use cases, which is why they haven’t made much of an effect.

Should You Buy a Bare-Bones or Fully Configured Mini PC?

Not every tiny PC comes with a full system. Certain models come with a small chassis that already has a motherboard installed, similar to a PC kit. (In certain instances, a soldered-on processor rather than a socketed one is present.) Furthermore, wireless connectivity is typically integrated. In order to finish the kit, you will need to purchase and set up RAM modules, a storage disk (hard or solid-state, depending on the model), and your operating system.

In reseller parlance, this setup is referred to as a “bare-bones PC.” Make sure you are aware of what you are obtaining. A particular micro system may occasionally be offered for sale both in pre-configured models with storage and in bare-bones form.