In the past two years, mini computers have become popular again. In fact, mini computers have been around for over a decade. For instance, Apple’s mini computer, known as the Mac mini, has been famous for nearly twenty years. Additionally, brands like Lenovo and DELL have also released multiple models of mini computers. In recent years, while the size of mini computers has not changed much, their performance has significantly improved, and more importantly, their prices have become increasingly affordable.

Many netizens believe that mini computers cannot replace desktop computers, but in reality, they can absolutely replace most desktop computers. A small portion cannot be replaced, such as high-end dedicated graphics computers and server computers. The size of a dedicated graphics card far exceeds that of a mini computer, so for now, replacement is not possible, but it may change in the future.

I only started using mini computers last year because a friend of mine bought a second-hand desktop for over 3200, asking me if it was worth it. After looking at it, I felt completely cheated; even selling it for 2000 would be a bit expensive. While helping him search for information, I accidentally discovered that the prices of mini computers are very low, and their performance is much stronger than that of my friend’s second-hand computer.

The mini computer I purchased is a product from Zero刻, model SER6 MAX 7735HS. The barebone system (without memory and hard drive) costs around 2000, which is very cost-effective. If you don’t have RAM and a hard drive, you can choose the 16G+1T version or the 32G+1T version. I personally recommend the barebone system, as you can customize the RAM and SSD yourself, which not only saves some money but also ensures better quality. The RAM and SSD provided by Zero刻 are all low-end Micron products, which do not perform very well.

Upon receiving the product, I did a quick teardown. The design of this mini computer from Zero刻 is quite thoughtful. Both the SSD and CPU have good heat dissipation designs, and there is also an active cooling fan. However, under high load conditions, its heat generation is still somewhat excessive.

The CPU cooler used in the product is basically the same as that used in laptops, and it employs a VC heat spreader.

The only user-upgradable components are the RAM and SSD, which is why I recommend getting a barebone mini computer. The included hardware is somewhat subpar. Firstly, the default frequency of the RAM is low, and secondly, the SSD uses QLC NAND, which has a small capacity.

The configuration information and scores measured by the Lu Master for the Zero刻 SER6 MAX 7735HS can still meet the needs of most users.

It can even handle many games; of course, it can’t run the latest AAA titles, but older games are no problem. However, if you want to do professional 3D design, animation rendering, or play large AAA games, you should buy a desktop with a dedicated graphics card, as mini computers are not suitable at all.

I have been using this mini computer for over five months now, and here are my real experiences.

1: The performance can fully meet the needs of most users; it can definitely replace most desktop computers, but to say it can replace all is impossible. Before purchasing, be sure to determine how high your performance needs are, especially regarding the graphics card.

2: It is portable, but you must have a monitor or TV at your workplace. In this regard, it is not as good as a laptop, as laptops come with built-in displays.

3: Upgrading is limited to replacing the RAM and SSD; other hardware cannot be changed. Don’t think about replacing the CPU or adding a dedicated graphics card.

4: It generates a lot of heat. Due to its small size, there are still cooling issues. Compared to laptops, it even generates slightly more heat. I placed a small fan on my desk to blow air onto the mini computer to solve the overheating issue.

5: Mini computers really save desktop space; they are very effective for daily office work and entertainment. During this time, I even feel that they are much better than laptops and desktops. I directly paired it with a 27-inch monitor, which is much more comfortable to use than the monitor built into a laptop.