The Best Mini PC Choices for 2023

Mini PCs are ideal for those who do most of their work in the same location, allowing the use of full-sized monitors, keyboards, and mice without the need for a bulky desktop tower. After researching over 70 mini computers and testing six, we believe the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 is the best choice for most people, as it strikes the optimal balance between cost, processing power, and compact design.

Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 Tiny Desktop

Lenovo offers various processor, memory, storage, and port options for the ThinkCentre M710 Tiny Desktop. Our recommended configuration includes an Intel Core i5-7500T processor, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid-state drive, a 500GB hard drive, six USB ports, and two DisplayPort connections, allowing you to connect to multiple monitors. This results in slightly more power consumption than an Ultrabook or similar business laptop, but it is cheaper since you do not have to pay for a screen or battery. You can easily upgrade storage and memory through a detachable bottom panel, and the M710 runs cooler and quieter than all other mini PCs we tested.

HP ProDesk 400 G3 Desktop Mini PC

If the price of the ThinkCentre M710 rises or it becomes hard to find, the HP ProDesk 400 G3 is a decent alternative. However, it typically costs a bit more and performs slightly worse than our top choice. The fan is louder, the SSD speed is not very fast, and you do not get the extra 500GB hard drive like with the Lenovo system. The three-year warranty is much better than the ThinkCentre M710’s warranty, but HP has installed a lot of bloatware that you will need to spend time uninstalling.

Zotac Zbox CI325 Nano

If you only need a small computer for basic tasks like email, text editing, and light web browsing and want something inexpensive, the Zotac Zbox CI325 Nano may meet your needs. This could be the cheapest mini PC available, costing less than 2000 yuan, although it is only suitable for web browsing and watching videos; do not expect to play games on it, at most you can play something like “Minecraft” at low settings. The Zbox CI325 Nano uses passive cooling instead of a fan, so it runs quietly, but the lack of a fan means the CPU cannot run at full speed due to excessive heat generation.

Intel NUC7i5BNH

If you want to DIY your hardware choices and do not need Windows, purchasing a barebones mini PC where you can select your own storage, memory, and operating system is the best choice. The Intel NUC7i5BNH is your best option. Intel offers several NUC models, but the NUC7i5BNH may provide the best value, including an Intel Core i5-7260U processor, costing around $350. Upgrading is easy, with multiple ports (including Thunderbolt 3), and Intel offers a three-year warranty.

How We Chose

We researched over 70 different models of mini PCs, comparing their differences and

Price: Mini PCs may be smaller than desktop computers, but they are not cheap – rather, packing everything into a small box is an engineering challenge, and you usually pay a little extra.

Performance

Processor: Mini PCs need a powerful enough processor to handle basic web browsing, photo editing, and running office software. All PCs in our testing group were equipped with at least a seventh-generation Intel Core i5 processor or better, which is sufficient.

Memory: We recommend at least 8GB of RAM for web browsing and basic tasks. If you decide you need more memory, you can upgrade. For budget mini PCs, we relaxed this requirement, but at least 4GB of memory is necessary. With 4GB of memory, the computer’s operation is already quite slow.

Storage: Traditional hard drives can be the biggest bottleneck for PC speed, so we considered the need for solid-state drives here. At least a 128GB or 256GB drive is needed.

Size: Mini PCs do not have specific size requirements, so we established our own selection criteria. After looking at the mainstream sizes for general mini PCs, we decided to choose those that fit within 8 inches x 8 inches, with a height no greater than 3 inches. If you exceed this size, you can opt for a mini-ITX computer, which offers more expansion space. If it is smaller than this size, you will encounter fan noise and temperature issues.

Wireless Features: Every mini PC should come with 802.11ac wireless networking and Bluetooth, so you do not take up USB ports unnecessarily.

Expansion Ports: An excellent mini PC should have at least four USB ports, one USB Type-C port, and one SD card reader. These ports should be arranged on the front and back of the PC so that plugging in various devices or cables does not look messy. A mini PC should have at least one DisplayPort output, allowing your 4K monitor to be utilized (HDMI 2.0 is not common in integrated graphics PCs), but ideally, it should have two DisplayPort outputs or one DisplayPort and one HDMI output, allowing for dual monitor setups.

Easy Upgrades: Upgrading memory and storage should be convenient, without requiring too much technical knowledge to remove or install multiple components.

Warranty: Most mini PCs offer at least a one-year warranty, but two or three years of warranty is preferable. Manufacturers should also provide convenient technical support channels.

We also considered other features that may not be of concern to everyone.

Installation Options: Since mini PCs can fit almost anywhere, they offer many clever mounting options. If the model has a VESA mount, you can hide the mini PC behind the monitor or under the desk.

Heat and Noise: Like laptops, mini PCs pack hardware tightly into a small space. Therefore, mini PCs should have excellent cooling systems. Due to the size of the system, you may hear the computer produce noise more frequently compared to other computers, so whether the noise is bothersome is also important.

Power Consumption: Since these mini PCs use low-power versions of processors, they do not consume much power, so even at full speed, mini PCs should not use too much electricity.

Best Choice: Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny Desktop

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 is likely the best mini PC for most people. It not only offers a wide range of configuration options but is also reasonably priced. When customized with the components we want, it meets our size requirements. Six USB 3.0 ports are abundant, and dual DisplayPort (or optional HDMI) connections are ideal for users wishing to use two or three monitors. The bottom of the chassis is very easy to remove, making it convenient to upgrade storage and memory. Lenovo’s one-year warranty is not as long as HP or Dell’s, but you can choose an additional three-year warranty card when purchasing. The M710 supports VESA mount installation, and the fan noise and heat generation are also well controlled.

You can choose the configuration of the M710 according to your needs, but we recommend a model that includes a quad-core Intel Core i5-7500T processor, Intel HD 630 integrated graphics, 8GB DDR4 memory, a 256GB M.2 PCIe solid-state drive, and a 500GB hard drive (Lenovo includes the hard drive regardless of whether you add SSD, and extra storage is useful for large files, such as storing more videos and photos) and supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

When making configuration choices, we recommend adding an HDMI port (if you need it) and skipping Lenovo’s mouse and keyboard; you can use your existing or better ones. Lenovo installs Windows 10 Home by default, but offers an option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro during the configuration stage, depending on your needs; Windows 10 Home is sufficient for most people’s basic requirements.

We found similar configurations on Tmall, adding a three-year warranty, but we found that ordering directly from Lenovo’s website is usually more affordable. Lenovo’s customization page is quite straightforward, offering the most custom options compared to other brands we tested. The ThinkCentre M710 is the only mini PC equipped with a 500GB hard drive without extra charges when adding an M.2 SSD. The M710 also falls within our size range, measuring 7.2×7.0 inches, with a height of 1.36 inches.

Lower-demand games may run at lower resolutions, but users of this machine are certainly not looking to play games on it.

In our real-world tests, the M710 opened dozens of tabs in Chrome without any noticeable slowdown. It was also able to perform some simple photo editing in GIMP and scroll through a larger Excel sheet very smoothly. We also tried some games like “League of Legends,” “Hearthstone,” and “Minecraft.” It can run at lower resolutions.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 does not include wireless functionality by default, but you can add an Intel wireless card with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

The six USB 3.0 ports (including two front ports that can charge any connected device even when the computer is off) are sufficient for most people. The system also includes two front audio jacks for headphones and microphones. By default, you will receive two DisplayPort 1.3 ports, which are excellent for dual monitor setups; if needed, you can add an optional HDMI 1.4 port or a third DisplayPort. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port for wired network access. The number of ports on the M710 is similar to other mini PCs we tested, but it is the only system that includes dual DisplayPort outputs by default.

Of all the mini computers we reviewed, the M710 is the easiest to upgrade. The bottom of the chassis has a removable panel where you can see the M.2 slot and memory; the M710 is the only mini PC with this type of bottom removable panel. This design makes it convenient for users to upgrade storage or memory without having to disassemble any extra hardware. You can also remove the top of the chassis to see the 2.5-inch SATA drive, fan, and even the CPU (though upgrading the processor may be difficult).

The M710 also comes with a stand, making it easy to place the mini computer vertically, and a separate VESA mount is available. Once the M710 is inserted into the dock, it can be secured to the back of a compatible VESA mount monitor or hidden under the desk.

Lenovo has built two applications into the system: Lenovo Companion for handling system updates and support information and system health information, and Lenovo Account, a program for registering an optional Lenovo ID through which you will receive any warranty or security update notifications. These do not launch at system startup, so they are not bothersome. Lenovo Companion performed well in our testing, scanning and installing driver updates effectively.

In our tests, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 did a good job controlling heat; it never exceeded 32°C on top and 37°C on the bottom. This is lower than the temperatures measured for the HP, Intel, and Dell systems we tested. We hardly noticed any sound from the fan, although we did not measure decibels, but the fan seemed quieter than other mini PCs, especially the loudest Intel NUC we tested.

Lenovo’s power consumption is similar to other mini personal computers we considered. At idle on the Windows 10 desktop, it consumes between 11 and 13 watts. When playing 1080p video on YouTube, it bounces between 25 and 30 watts. In our CPU benchmark tests, it fluctuated between 17 and 24 watts, while in graphics benchmark tests, it varied between 30 and 40 watts.

Drawbacks

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 has plenty of USB 3.0 ports, but lacks USB-C ports or an SD card reader. While this may be a trend, considering that other mini computers we tested offered both, Lenovo’s omission is a shortcoming.

The biggest design flaw of this PC may be the power adapter, which is ugly; Lenovo’s designers should have considered this when designing a better-looking power adapter should not be difficult.

By default, the M710 comes with a one-year warranty. You can purchase additional warranty coverage – ranging from two to five years – but Lenovo’s various options can be confusing. Be sure to read carefully when purchasing to avoid any warranty issues!

Runner-Up: HP ProDesk 400 G3 Desktop Mini PC

If the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 is unavailable (note: it is basically impossible to find in China), then the HP ProDesk 400 G3 Desktop Mini PC is the next best choice. You can get a configuration similar to our Lenovo choice at an acceptable price and similar size. However, the upgrades on the ProDesk 400 G3 are not as easy as on the M710, and HP also offers a three-year warranty. However, we prefer Lenovo’s model because, in our tests, the ProDesk 400 G3 was louder than the M710. We can configure the ProDesk 400 G3 with the same basic options as the M710, including the same CPU, integrated graphics, and memory. We chose a 2.5-inch solid-state drive for its lower cost, but HP offers a slightly more expensive 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD. If you need more storage space, choose an M.2 SSD to free up the 2.5-inch SATA bay for additional drives. HP does offer some configuration options that Lenovo does not, such as a wider range of storage options, including self-encrypting drives of various sizes, optional Intel Optane memory, and the choice of one or two memory sticks. You can also choose to install Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro, but the cost of the Pro upgrade is far higher than the same upgrade on the Lenovo computer. Adding an 802.11ac and Bluetooth interface is also more expensive than Lenovo. Our HP configuration is still better and cheaper than Dell’s option, although HP’s configuration website is not as intuitive or flexible as Lenovo’s, we were still able to customize most of the components we needed.

Our real-world tests of the ProDesk 400 G3 yielded similar results to the ThinkCentre M710; opening dozens of tabs in Chrome posed no issues, and it could play music or YouTube videos smoothly. The HP system, like the Lenovo computer, has the same issues with gaming. The integrated graphics cannot handle modern games that require more than what “Heroes of the Storm” or “Minecraft” demand.

The size of the HP ProDesk 400 G3 is similar to the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710, measuring 6.97 x 6.88 inches and 1.35 inches high. On the front panel, you will find audio jacks for headphones and a microphone, as well as two USB 3.0 Type-A ports (including a charging port that can charge smartphones and tablets even when the computer is off). The back of the system has two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports. It comes with one DisplayPort by default, but during configuration, you can add a second DisplayPort or HDMI connection. It also comes with a standard serial port for connecting older printers or network devices, or if you are running a point-of-sale terminal. Like the Lenovo system, this HP has a brick-like external power supply that is the same size as Lenovo’s version.

The RAM and storage of the ProDesk 400 G3 are not as easy to access as the M710. The 2.5-inch storage bay is beneath a sliding top cover, but you have to lift the fan to insert memory. HP’s three-year warranty far exceeds Lenovo’s default warranty and includes various support options.

The chassis of this HP machine has rounded corners, making it difficult to stand it upright. Unlike the Lenovo PC, you cannot add a VESA mount option during the configuration.

HP pre-installs a lot of default applications, including several software to download, update, and register HP services. We counted ten applications, including an enterprise-level encryption driver download tool called HP SoftPaq Download Manager (we prefer to use HP Support Assistant for driver updates, but it is also pre-installed) and a malware protection program called HP Sure Click.

The fan on this HP machine is much louder than Lenovo and Dell’s fans, and the temperature is also 3 degrees higher than Lenovo’s when running at full speed. While these two issues are not major problems, they were quite noticeable in our testing compared to other machines. The power consumption of the HP system is very close to Lenovo’s overall, but in our CPU tests, it averaged around 23 to 26 watts, compared to Lenovo’s 17 to 24 watts.

Budget Choice: Zotac Zbox CI325 Nano

If you are on a tight budget, consider the Zotac Zbox CI325 Nano. It can handle basic computing tasks like web browsing and video playback, just do not expect it to replace your main computer. In our tests, opening more than two tabs in Chrome felt sluggish, and with too little memory and storage, the processor could not handle many applications or games. But this is the best low-budget choice we found – if you want a more powerful computer, you will have to spend more money. The CI325 is more suitable as a media server or retro gaming machine. It has various ports and a certain amount of memory, and you can add storage and memory to extend its usability, but at that point, the Intel NUC may better meet your needs.

The CI325 has built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, with audio and microphone ports, a card reader, one USB 3.0 Type-A port, and one USB Type-C port on the front. On the back, there is another USB 3.0 Type-A port and two USB 2.0 ports. It also includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, along with HDMI 1.4b, DisplayPort 1.1a, and VGA ports. Additionally, if you want to use the CI325 as a TV box, you can pair an infrared receiver with a remote control. It comes with a VESA mount and four screws packaged in the box. This personal computer has lower performance: hence it does not require a fan. In our tests, the Zbox CI325 Nano ran completely silently, and we never heard any noise from it, although the external temperature of the case never exceeded 35°C.

The CI325’s power consumption is the lowest of any mini PC we tested. The standby temperature averages 9 to 11 watts, while playing 1080p video on YouTube, it only reaches 13 watts. Due to storage requirements and the small internal storage space of the system, we had to run PCMark from an SD card to conduct our power consumption tests, but the CI325 never exceeded 15 watts.

DIY Enthusiast’s Choice: Intel NUC7i5BNH

If you do not mind sourcing storage and memory separately and installing Windows yourself, and loud fans are not an issue for you, then the Intel NUC7i5BNH is a perfect alternative to Lenovo’s personal computer, offering modern ports and better graphics performance. This is the best barebones mini computer because it is one of the cheapest options with the specifications we want, featuring an M.2 solid-state drive and expansion space for a 2.5-inch drive, and it provides built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports, excellent support from Intel, including a three-year warranty and ongoing driver updates. It is smaller than Lenovo and Dell’s machines, although it runs a bit hotter and the fan is a little louder. The NUC7i5BNH is equipped with an Intel Core i5-7260U processor and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, which is the most powerful integrated graphics of any mini PC we tested. You will need to install memory and storage – all options in our SSD guide can be used in the 2.5-inch drive bay or M.2 slot, along with an operating system, but the NUC7i5BNH includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. When we configured the NUC7i5BNH with a 250GB SATA SSD, 8GB of memory, and a copy of Windows 10 Home (it also supports Linux if you prefer), its cost was around $600, which is $70 less than the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710. At around $750, you could install a 500GB SATA SSD and 16GB of memory in the NUC7i5BNH; the total cost would be about $130 lower than the cost of adding similar components to the Lenovo M710 and about $180 cheaper than the HP ProDesk 400 G3 (adding a PCIe SSD instead of an M.2 SATA version would add about $100 to the price, but most people would not notice the extra speed). The NUC7i5BNH is about 4.5 inches smaller than all other mini PCs we tested and approximately 2 inches high.

In our real-world tests, this Intel machine performed as well as Lenovo and HP. It has fewer CPU cores, so if you are doing processor-intensive work, you may notice a speed difference, but this impact is not significant for most daily tasks. We ran dozens of tabs on Chrome without encountering any sluggishness or issues, even with Spotify playing music all day. It played HD and 4K videos without stuttering. We hoped this integrated graphics would allow us to play some demanding modern games, but we encountered the same issues on the NUC7i5BNH as we did on the M710 and ProDesk 400 G3. These machines cannot handle any modern 3D games beyond minimum graphics settings, even less demanding games like “Overwatch,” but this Intel system can at least provide higher resolutions and quality settings than Lenovo or HP.

The NUC7i5BNH features a variety of ports, including an HDMI 2.0a port, SATA 3, a microSD slot, four USB 3.0 ports, and a microphone/headphone jack. It is the only mini PC we tested that has a Thunderbolt 3 port by default, which can increase data transfer speeds for high-speed external storage (and can act as a DisplayPort connection via an adapter cable); theoretically, it allows you to use external GPU devices like the Razer Core, enabling you to play modern games. We could not test this functionality, and there is currently no further information about it, but the Razer Core is compatible with Intel’s gaming-focused Skull Canyon NUC. However, when you add a large external graphics card and its casing, you lose the point of having a mini PC, so if you are only interested in gaming, you should choose a dedicated gaming platform instead.

The NUC7i5BNH is also the only mini PC we tested with a built-in microphone. In our tests, the microphone worked well, making it great for occasional Skype calls with family, but if you plan to use the system for regular meetings, it is worth investing in a better microphone. Additionally, it has a front-facing infrared receiver, allowing you to pair it with a remote control, making it convenient to use the NUC7i5BNH as a media player.

Upgrading the system’s hardware requires removing four screws from the bottom. While not very convenient, it is still possible to upgrade the hardware overall.

We like this Intel personal computer over other barebones options from Gigabyte and MSI mainly because of the warranty and support. Intel offers a three-year warranty, but throughout the system’s lifecycle, you will receive plenty of driver updates and ongoing support from Intel, which most other barebones mini PC manufacturers do not provide. This is the only barebones mini computer in our price range that offers a three-year warranty. And since Intel does not pre-install an operating system, you do not have to worry about pre-installed Intel® software.

The NUC7i5BNH is the loudest and hottest mini PC we tested. The fan is much louder than Lenovo and HP’s, and it generated a lot of heat in our tests, occasionally reaching 43°C. We suspect this heating issue is due to the small size of the machine and the small fan inside the case.

However, this amount of heat does not affect the testing performance and is within Intel’s specifications. If the fan noise becomes too loud, Intel includes a quiet mode in the BIOS. Enabling quiet mode reduces the fan speed slightly from the default setting but increases heat a bit. Like the Zotac Zbox CI325 Nano, the NUC7i5BNH comes with a VESA mount in the package. As for the power consumption of this Intel personal computer, it is similar to Lenovo and HP, although in our video tests and at idle, its power consumption tends to drop one or two watts.

Because the NUC7i5BNH does not include an operating system, you will need to install one yourself. If you already have a Windows license (or plan to install Linux), this is also a good way to save money.

After the above evaluations, we ultimately chose the Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 as the best option for most people, as it achieves the best balance of cost, processing power, and compact design.