We believe everyone has seen the recent CFan article titled “The Smallest Comparable to USB Drives! It Turns Out PCs Come in Many Forms?!” After re-understanding the current PC categories, we need to make a choice:
Which one is more suitable for you? Which can meet your expectations regarding budget, performance, and functionality? Considering the many subdivided PC categories, let’s first do some subtraction: which types of PCs are not suitable for you in the current environment?
Computer Sticks vs. Smartphones
If it were two years ago, computer sticks were still a very novel device. This PC that can fit in a wallet is unmatched in mobility and also features ultra-low noise and ultra-low power consumption. However, computer sticks lack screens and must be paired with display devices for use.
The internal structure of computer sticks has no upgrade options. If you must buy one, it’s advisable to choose a version with a built-in fan to reduce the risk of overheating and throttling.
Moreover, computer sticks equipped with Atom processors have weak performance, while those armed with Core M processors are too expensive, severely limiting their survival. Nowadays, the threat to computer sticks is no longer other PCs but the ever-present smartphones.
The reason is simple: high-end models represented by Huawei/Glory, Samsung, and Smartisan have introduced a “PC mode” feature. With just a USB Type-C to HDMI/DP cable, you can display a Windows 10 or Mac OS-style interface on an external monitor and achieve a PC-like experience using a mouse and keyboard.
It can be said that besides not being able to play PC games, most tasks that computer sticks can perform can also be done by smartphones running in PC mode, with the added benefits of zero noise and better power efficiency.
Since a smartphone plus a cable can solve the problem, why buy and carry a computer stick separately? Once similar features are widely adopted by smartphones, computer sticks will have no chance.
Therefore, if you have ever fantasized about buying a computer stick to experience the convenience of putting a PC in your pocket for tasks like word processing, email, media playback, or online entertainment, it would be better to choose a smartphone that supports PC mode.
Ignore AIO for Performance
All-in-one (AIO) computers have an elegant and grand appearance and provide stunning visuals (mostly with 72% NTSC color gamut, better color performance), and they also have some mobility, at least moving from the living room to the bedroom is not too difficult.
However, AIOs have a fatal flaw: they have a serious performance ceiling. The higher the price of an AIO, the larger the performance gap with other PCs.
For home users, 6000 yuan is basically the best budget limit for AIOs, as AIOs in this price range mostly come equipped with Core i5 processors (with mobile and desktop versions) and also feature mainstream-level discrete graphics cards, providing a balanced performance for both office work and gaming.
From the user experience and overall cost perspective, a combination of a thin and light laptop/mini PC and a monitor does not perform much worse than this type of AIO.
However, to maintain a sexy design, AIOs mostly use 15W TDP U-series mobile Core processors (like i5-8250U) or 35W TDP T-series desktop Core processors (like i5-8400T). Moreover, even high-end AIOs with a price tag of 10,000 yuan generally only feature NVIDIA GTX1050 (mobile version) as their built-in discrete graphics card.
These mid to high-end AIOs max out at the level of GTX1050 graphics cards.
The question arises: nowadays, gaming laptops priced around 6000 yuan have transitioned to 45W TDP eighth-generation Core processors (like i5-8300H) and NVIDIA GTX1050Ti discrete graphics cards, providing gaming performance that can easily surpass that of AIOs at the same or higher price points. Additionally, the expansion capabilities of AIOs are not as good as many users imagine.
First, let’s look at the interface design. AIOs are characterized by having plenty of USB ports, but card readers are a rarity.
It should be noted that the vast majority of AIOs come standard with HDMI as a video output interface, which means you can use an HDMI cable to transmit the display to a 55-inch LCD TV in the living room. However, the AIO’s screen is already stunning; what it truly needs is an HDMI input interface that can display images from laptops, smartphones, or other devices, temporarily acting as a monitor. Therefore, when the configuration and price are similar, AIOs with HDMI input interfaces are more worth choosing.
Next, let’s examine the internal expansion potential. AIOs adopt very compact chassis and customized motherboard designs, making disassembly more challenging than laptops. The only hardware we can replace and upgrade are the memory and hard drive, with very few products providing additional M.2 or SATA slots for DIY upgrades.
Therefore, the most suitable user group for AIOs is those who prefer a simple design with a homey appearance, have high requirements for screen color and visual area, and adopt a “good enough” principle for performance. If you have high expectations for performance, especially gaming performance, AIOs are definitely not for you, even if your budget is ample.
However, if you really like the “overall feeling” of an all-in-one computer and dislike the cumbersome connection methods of laptops/mini PCs/desktop PCs plus monitors, PIOs in the all-in-one category may be more suitable for you.
PIOs Emerging from Internet Cafes
As a DIY all-in-one computer, the best stage for PIOs is in internet cafes, where they can provide stunning visuals and powerful performance in a compact space, and their integrated design eliminates concerns about losing parts. With the concept of PIO becoming more popular, these devices are no longer limited to internet cafes and are gradually being accepted by ordinary home users.
The most suitable consumer group for PIOs is gamers who love a tidy desk and are not satisfied with the visual experience of laptops or the rigidity of desktop PCs. Compared to AIO brands, PIOs are mostly internet brands participating in the gaming segment and are sold through e-commerce platforms like JD and Taobao. Although PIOs may lack the elegance of AIOs, they generally outperform AIOs in configuration and performance at the same price point.
For example, at the 5000 yuan price point, you can buy a PIO equipped with a seventh-generation Core i7 and GTX1050Ti discrete graphics card, while at the 6000 yuan price point, you can even find models armed with GTX1060 discrete graphics cards, surpassing gaming laptops in terms of visuals, performance, and expansion capabilities, with overall costs only second to DIY desktop computers.
The biggest advantage of PIOs is their strong DIY potential. However, the stronger the DIY potential, the more “impressive” the size of the PIO will be.
There’s no way around it; PIOs are essentially monitors with a case. To support GTX1060 or higher discrete graphics cards, they must retain enough space to accommodate them. Therefore, you will find that high-end PIOs often have a noticeably protruding “spine” at the back.
So, are there any “sexy contenders” among PIOs? The answer is yes, and there are quite a few.
However, such PIOs will adopt two compromise designs for the placement of graphics cards: one is to place the PCI-E slot on the motherboard horizontally, allowing the graphics card to lie inside the back cover of the PIO, significantly reducing its height requirements;
The second is to use an onboard graphics card, where the GPU and memory are directly packaged on a specially customized motherboard, and the cooling module is designed similarly to laptops to save space.
In summary, as an important supplement in the all-in-one computer field, PIOs are more suitable for playing the role of “gaming all-in-one machines”. However, they are not suitable for ordinary users who care about after-sales service (no on-site repairs, quality issues mostly require shipping to designated addresses) as they rely on e-commerce platforms. But if you have some DIY experience, you might consider PIOs as a replacement for your desktop computer.
Tip: Although PIOs have DIY potential, they have very strict requirements for the processor cooler, as well as the length and height of the graphics card. If you choose to DIY or upgrade later, you may easily encounter compatibility issues. Therefore, ordinary users are advised to “go all in” and directly choose a version with higher specifications provided by the vendor.
Mini Computers Bound by Scenarios
Mini computers are as portable as laptops, but they have not become mainstream in the market. The reason is that they must be paired with additional display devices (such as monitors or projectors) to be used, making them just a “hunk of metal” outdoors.
Mini computers are limited to fixed locations, and their main competitor is branded AIOs. In similar price ranges, the overall performance of mini computers plus monitors can often surpass AIOs but fall behind PIOs.
Therefore, mini computers may be more suitable for users who are indecisive between AIOs and PIOs.
Mini Computers with Monitors are All-in-One Computers
If you really want to “get into it”, I only recommend three mini computers with unique features. The first is Intel’s NUC8i5BEK, a quasi-system priced at 2999 yuan, equipped with an eighth-generation Core i5-859U processor and integrated Iris Plus 655 graphics, with 3D performance between NVIDIA MX110 and MX130. Its competitor is AIOs priced around 4500 yuan.
The quasi-system requires users to purchase memory and hard drives themselves and pair it with a monitor. The NUC8i5BEH, which has the same configuration/price, just has increased thickness to accommodate an additional 2.5-inch hard drive.
The second model, also from Intel, is the NUC8i7HNK4, codenamed “Canyon Lake”, which is equipped with an eighth-generation Core i7-8705G processor and integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, with 3D performance equivalent to NVIDIA GTX1050, priced at 4999 yuan. Its competitor is AIOs around 7000 yuan.
Comparison of Canyon Lake and Full Tower Cases
The third model is MSI’s “Gaming Trident”, currently equipped with an eighth-generation Core i5-8400 processor, 8GB of memory, a combination of 128GB SSD and 1TB hard drive, and a model with GTX1060 (3GB) discrete graphics priced at 6499 yuan. Its competitors can rise to AIOs priced at 10,000 yuan.
The Gaming Trident is not the cheapest or smallest mini computer with GTX1060 discrete graphics, but it offers better cooling, lower noise (only up to 36 decibels), and the discrete graphics card can be replaced.
Trident only supports single-fan ITX short cards
For mini computers, I do not recommend choosing overly cheap internet e-commerce brand products, as mini computers may be the only PC in our home and must have sufficiently strong performance.
Additionally, the cramped internal space of mini computers requires even higher cooling environment standards than gaming laptops. If you do not want to be disturbed by noise when playing games or face the awkward situation of CPU/GPU overheating and throttling, you should be cautious with high-performance models that are too mini (less than 3L).
Desktop Computers Achieve Extreme Cost-Performance Ratio
For users who do not need to carry their PCs outdoors, desktop computers are always the first choice among PCs. With various sizes and styles of cases, users can freely choose between Intel and AMD platforms, and the brands and models of motherboards, memory, and hard drives are extremely rich, allowing for easy construction of the most cost-effective platform.
The question arises: nowadays, many traditional markets, including Zhongguancun and Baimaohui, have faded from our view, and the purchase of hardware has gradually shifted from offline to online, which raises higher demands on users’ DIY capabilities.
Relatively speaking, I do not recommend ordinary users to buy components like cases, power supplies, processors, motherboards, etc., for DIY assembly (logistics risks, cumbersome return and exchange processes), because the cost-performance ratio of brand PCs has significantly improved compared to the past, and you can buy a system with an eighth-generation Core + GTX1060 discrete graphics for under 5000 yuan, with overall expenses only a few hundred yuan higher than DIY assembly.
Of course, brand PCs may not choose the best components in the same price range, but as long as you do not have overclocking needs, they offer better stability and after-sales support. If your budget is higher, I strongly recommend systems armed with GTX1070 or RX2060 graphics cards, as they will not be surpassed by gaming laptops in the same price range.
Awkward Position of 2-in-1 Devices
Similar to computer sticks, PC tablet 2-in-1 devices also find themselves in an awkward situation today. Limited by portability, such devices can only embrace ultra-low power processors and are insulated from discrete graphics cards (except for a few cases, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book).
Therefore, 2-in-1 devices are only suitable as the “second PC” at home, dedicated to users who need touch screens for professional graphic design, frequent travelers, and students who are not interested in gaming.
What makes 2-in-1 devices particularly helpless is that their lightweight advantage is being surpassed by the new generation of thin and light laptops, which also possess more powerful computing capabilities.
In summary, unless the 2-in-1 device you desire is sufficiently affordable, or you cannot do without the assistance of a touch screen, it may be worth shifting your focus to the thin and light laptop camp before purchasing a 2-in-1 device; you might discover “there are so many good options?!”
Thin and Light Laptops or Gaming Laptops
In today’s PC market, laptops have gradually become the absolute mainstream, as they come with screens and batteries, ready to use at any time. Furthermore, the portability of laptops continues to evolve, combined with performance innovations brought about by the latest hardware technologies, allowing these PCs to unleash sufficient productivity in a compact space.
The question arises: what is the difference between thin and light laptops and gaming laptops, and which one is more suitable for you?
For thin and light laptops, their typical characteristic is a thickness of less than 18mm and a weight of no more than 2kg (15.6 inches), and they are equipped with 15W TDP low-power processors, with discrete graphics mainly consisting of NVIDIA MX110 to MX150 (now upgraded to MX230 and MX250, but they are rebadged cards).
The main competitors of thin and light laptops are desktop computers in the 4000 yuan (with monitor) range, mini computers at the 5000 yuan level, and AIOs at the 6000 yuan level. If you are not interested in games at the level of “PUBG” and often need to carry your PC around, thin and light laptops are your best choice.
As for which thin and light laptop is worth choosing? My suggestion is to look for models equipped with the new “Whiskey Lake” eighth-generation Core platform (like i5-8265U) and a full-blooded MX150 discrete graphics combination. Their prices are generally around 5000 yuan and are considered “all-in-one” configurations in the thin and light laptop field.
For gaming laptops, their typical feature is to be equipped with 45W performance-level processors, with discrete graphics starting from NVIDIA GTX1050. Due to the small performance gap between mobile and desktop versions of Intel’s eighth-generation Core and NVIDIA GTX10 series graphics cards, this has given the new generation of gaming laptops an opportunity to counterattack desktop computers.
For instance, nowadays you can buy a gaming laptop with a Core i5-8300H and GTX1060 discrete graphics for 6500 yuan, and its actual performance is not necessarily much worse than that of a desktop with an i5-8400 + GTX1060 configuration priced at 5000 yuan.
In other words, the primary competitors for gaming laptops have risen to desktop computers and PIOs priced around 6000 yuan (with monitor). If you want a mobile “professional gaming machine”, a gaming laptop armed with GTX1060 discrete graphics will definitely not disappoint you.
The reason I emphasize “GTX1060” is that this is the upper limit of discrete graphics that mainstream-priced gaming laptops can support. Those equipped with GTX1070, RTX2060, or higher-end discrete graphics often start at around 10,000 yuan, and GTX1070/RTX2060 also impose stricter requirements on cooling modules.
If your budget is limited but you want to experience near-top performance, a desktop computer equipped with a GTX1070 discrete graphics card can help you save more expenses.
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