Can mini computers replace desktop computers? Actually, I have answered this question many times. For me, they can be a complete replacement. However, for some users, they still cannot replace desktops mainly due to weak graphics card performance. Unknowingly, I have been using a mini computer for over six months. To be honest, before I got in touch with mini computers, I was not optimistic about them. I always felt that their portability was not as good as laptops, and their performance could not compare to high-end desktop computers.
More importantly, I had previously used all-in-one PCs, netbooks, and ITX mini platforms, so I underestimated mini computers. I always thought these products were just gimmicks. But the reality has slapped me in the face; they are not comparable to all-in-one PCs or netbooks at all, and they have great potential for development. In my view, they can completely replace most home desktop computers and some laptops.
For the past six months, I have been using a mini computer, which has successfully replaced my desktop computer and TV box. I also discovered that mini computers can be portable. In some specific locations, they can replace laptops without any problem, and the performance is not bad. As a consumer who has been dealing with computers for nearly 25 years, I have some insights into the quality of products. Mini computers are not new products; they have existed for a long time. Lenovo, DELL, and Apple have all launched similar products, with Apple’s Mac mini series being the most famous. However, back then, mini computers were really expensive, and ordinary users could not afford them or felt they were not worth buying.
The mini computer I am currently using is a product under Zero刻, model SER6 MAX 7735HS, and the barebone system (without memory and hard drive) is now less than 2000 yuan, offering excellent cost performance. The product is well-made, and the design is quite thoughtful. It is said to be very popular abroad.
On it, you can see some elements of laptops and TV boxes. The interface variety is also very rich, but it does not have a dedicated graphics card, so it is relatively compact, about the size of a 3.5-inch hard drive.
Mini computers require users to provide their own monitors, keyboards, and mice. The cost of this investment is not high. For me, it is zero cost because I can directly use my desktop peripherals.
The monitor I am using is the MSI White Little King Kong, which has a white appearance and, relatively speaking, looks better. Currently, the popular color schemes for computers are two: black and white, with fewer other color options. The model of the monitor is MSI MAG 274QRFW, and its main features are 2K 180Hz high refresh rate.
It features a 27-inch Rapid IPS panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, three-sided ultra-narrow bezel design, larger display area, and enhanced gaming immersion. With a typical brightness of 400 nits, it has passed HDR 400 certification. It supports a 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms GTG gray-to-gray response, and Adaptive-Sync technology. It provides 10-bit color depth, 123% sRGB, 93% Adobe RGB, and 95% P3 wide color gamut. If your computer configuration is too poor, it cannot drive this monitor. I deeply felt this back in the day when integrated graphics were really terrible, far inferior to today’s integrated graphics.
Last year, a friend asked me to recommend a computer, and I recommended a desktop at that time. Now I regret it. I should have recommended a mini computer to him. The monitor I have supports multi-directional adjustments, including 13cm height adjustment, 45-degree horizontal rotation, -5 to 20-degree tilt angle adjustment, and supports vertical placement, plus it has RGB backlighting. Without a desktop host, this arrangement makes the desktop look cleaner.
This mini computer I have uses an AMD Ryzen7 7735HS processor, 16G DDR5 memory, and a 1T QLC solid-state drive. I tried playing a few games at 2560 x 1440 resolution and 180Hz refresh rate, and it was still very smooth, with no lag at all. Of course, the games I played are relatively old and do not require high graphics card performance. Using it to play the latest AAA games would definitely not work, and even at 1080P resolution, 60Hz, it would not be feasible. If you want to play games, I suggest you stick with desktop computers with dedicated graphics cards instead of buying a mini computer; otherwise, you will definitely regret it.
1: Today’s mini computers, although most have integrated graphics, their performance is not weak, and they are stronger than some entry-level graphics cards. I checked, and the integrated graphics performance of the AMD Ryzen7 7735HS is equivalent to that of a GTX 1050Ti dedicated graphics card. In practical testing, it works perfectly with a 2K 180Hz monitor. It can even play some older games at this level of monitor.
2: They are portable. I used to feel this way, but I thought it was inconvenient to carry the keyboard and mouse, and the monitor was also a problem. It seemed better to take a laptop. However, during a recent trip, I found it was completely feasible to carry them around. Nowadays, as long as the hotel is decent, the TVs inside basically have HDMI ports, so using it to replace a monitor is no problem. Then, just take a foldable keyboard and a mouse, and the mini computer can be used normally. Of course, if the conditions are very poor, like the hotel TV being very old, then it’s better not to bother. Especially for users who need to work in the office or at home, mini computers are more suitable.
3: Cooling is still a headache. The cooling performance does not seem to match that of laptops, as laptops have a larger volume and better cooling. My current solution is to use a small desktop fan to blow at it. Of course, in the north, I only need to use it in summer; for the rest of the three seasons, I hardly use it, especially in winter when the indoor temperature is around 17 degrees Celsius. Instead of using a fan, I am thinking of using it for heating.
4: Mini computers cannot be freely upgraded, similar to modern laptops. The CPU and motherboard are soldered, and you can only upgrade the memory and solid-state drive. This is something that cannot be helped; to achieve a mini size, you have to sacrifice expandability.
5: Energy-saving and space-saving. I value space-saving more, which is very suitable for families with limited space.
6: Mini computers can completely replace most home desktop computers, office computers, some laptops, and TV boxes. Note that they can only replace computers that do not have high graphics card performance requirements. If high performance is needed, it is better to stick with a desktop computer with a dedicated graphics card or a gaming laptop. Do not underestimate mini computers; their performance is limited, especially in terms of graphics cards. Of course, there are mini computers with dedicated graphics cards, like the Phantom Canyon, but they are larger. Unfortunately, in terms of graphics cards, they are still far inferior to desktop computers and gaming laptops.
This is my genuine experience after using a mini computer for half a year. For ordinary users, if the graphics card performance requirements are not high, then mini computers are indeed a good choice.