What’s the Best Low Budget Mini PC?
What is the best low budget mini PC? This article will compare several popular options. From Apple’s Mac Mini to Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M73, to Asus’ Chromebox 4 and HP’s Elite Slice, we’ve tried them all, and ranked them for you. Which one is right for you? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out our full reviews! These PCs are great for general productivity tasks, but if you’re looking to do intensive tasks, you’ll need a higher-end model.
Apple Mac Mini
The Apple Mac Mini is the company’s entry-level mini PC with affordable pricing. The computer can accommodate up to 16GB of RAM. Originally, it was designed with low-budget pricing in mind. Until March 2020, it was available with up to 256 GB of storage. It is now available with up to 512 GB of storage. Here’s how to get one for the lowest possible price.
The Apple Mac Mini weighs 2.9 pounds and is fully compatible with available peripherals. You won’t find the display, keyboard, or mouse when you buy the system, but they are available separately. If you’d prefer a keyboard and mouse, it may be worth it. However, there are a few things to consider before purchasing this computer. Make sure you have enough space to add the extras.
The M1 Mac mini can support a single display with full 6K resolution or one with 4K resolution over HDMI. The M1 Mac mini also features WiFi 6, Secure Enclave, two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, and Ethernet. The cheapest version of the M1 Mac mini can be purchased for as little as $699 for an 8GB RAM model with a 512GB SSD. The M1 Mac mini also offers high energy efficiency and instant wake-up.
The Apple Mac Mini is much larger than most Windows mini PCs. If you need more storage space, consider buying a portable SSD or external hard drive. These are much cheaper options than upgrading the computer’s internal storage. If you’re not interested in purchasing a second hard drive, consider buying a barebones mini PC and putting it into your backpack. You’ll be glad you did.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M73
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 is a low-cost, refurbished desktop PC with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit pre-installed and a WiFi dongle. This machine has four GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. It also offers three USB 2.0 ports and runs a fanless OS. Despite being priced at just under $1,000, this mini PC is designed for office use and is easy to use.
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 is a high-end desktop PC that offers advanced functionality in a compact form factor. It is equipped with an Intel Pentium G3240 dual-core processor that delivers 3.1 GHz of speed. This processor lets you run a variety of applications simultaneously. You can use it as an entry-level desktop or for professional work. Its 65W power supply makes it a good choice for anyone on a tight budget.
The ThinkCentre M73, M83, and M93p are excellent options for gamers on a budget. These mini PCs can run 1080p games with 60 FPS and are suitable for games like DOTA2. In addition, upgrading with a better GPU and more memory is easy. Unlike many other low-budget mini PCs, you can upgrade the CPU, GPU, and hard drive later.
Asus Chromebox 4
The ASUS Chromebox 4 low budget mini PC was announced in November 2020 and is set to be released in March 2021. Its price ranges from $486 for a Core i3/8GB/128GB model to $900 for a Core i7/16GB/256GB model. The Enterprise edition of Chrome is included, but most people won’t need this option. Besides these features, the Chromebox 4 has an excellent price point, which makes it a solid choice for anyone looking for a low-priced computer.
The ASUS Chromebox 4 has an impressive set of features. It features a 10th generation Intel processor and supports up to three 4K displays. It also has a lockable VESA mount that ensures secure attachment to a wide variety of surfaces. Its four GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6 (r) and Ethernet connections make it ideal for multitasking. A VESA mount also allows users to centrally manage up to 100 or more devices.
Other features of the ASUS Chromebox 4 include an Intel Core i3-10110U processor. It has two multi-threaded cores with a base speed of 2.1GHz and a boosted speed of 4.1GHz. The processor also has up to 16GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC flash. The Chromebox includes WiFi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and two HDMI 2.0 ports. The display is also supported via a DisplayPort alt mode.
Aside from its impressive price, the Asus Chromebox 4 also has a host of other features. For starters, it comes with a VESA mount that allows it to be attached to the back of a monitor. Unlike many other low-priced mini PCs, the Chromebox 4 is compatible with a wide range of monitors, making it the perfect choice for home use.
GEEKOM MiniAir 11
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 low-budget mini PC is designed for meeting rooms. The sleek and compact device features a full-size keyboard and a touch-screen display. Its audio module is tuned for Web conferencing and includes dual-array microphones. A collaboration cover with a backlit Start/Stop Conference button and volume touch controls is available. This PC can be used for video conferencing and is ideal for use in small-to-medium conference rooms.
The slim, 1.38-inch GEEKOM MiniAir 11 module functions as a standalone Windows mini PC, and can be expanded with optional modules. It has a proprietary USB Type-C connector and Vesa Plate security. The device can be fitted with dual microphones and an ODD module. This PC has a full range of connectivity options and comes in various colors. However, its price is still not very low, making it a great choice for many users on a tight budget.
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 is a low-budget mini PC with impressive performance. It is compact enough to be placed in conference rooms or on employees’ desks. It also has business-friendly features like built-in conference calling. The mini desktop PC segment is a longstanding one, with laptop-size RAM and storage. Compared to the traditional desktop PC, it offers the right amount of space, power and performance for small offices.
Despite its lower price tag, the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 mini PC offers good performance. Its quad-core processor and decent internal upgradeability make it a good option for those on a budget. However, it lacks big pools of storage and performance upgrades. Moreover, HP’s interface limits its future options. It has all the basic features and a decent design, but the lack of Thunderbolt is a detraction.
Intel NUC 11 Enthusiast kit
If you want a mini PC that can run a lot of applications but is still on a budget, consider the Intel NUC 11 Enthusiast Kit. This system features an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics. Its ultra-slim, super-portable design makes it ideal for small spaces and supports up to 64GB of memory. It also includes two high-performance M.2 solid-state drives and runs Windows 10 on a budget.
The first version of the Intel NUC had a tight layout and clunky power cables, but the updated model has a bigger chassis that’s easier to work with. You could get more room for your hands and access to the SSD and memory, and there’d be fewer screws. The newer version uses the latest Intel Jasper Lake 10nm silicon, so it’s more powerful than its predecessors.
The second generation of the NUC series features an upgraded CPU. The new CPU, dubbed the Intel NUC 11, is more powerful than previous models and is more energy-efficient. This latest model has a fan-style fan and a heatsink to cool down. The processor and graphics card are surprisingly well-suited for low-budget PCs, as they can fit behind a monitor.
The Intel NUC 11 Enthusiast Kit for gaming is the smallest consumer-grade Intel NUC to feature discrete graphics. The machine features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with up to 4 cores. It’s also compatible with four monitors. You’ll need a graphics card to make the most of the device, and a solid-state hard drive for the rest.