For most individuals, a laptop computer is the default possibility when looking for a brand new pc. It will probably work from home, it will possibly work on the go, and it has all the things constructed proper into it: a display screen, a keyboard, a trackpad, audio system, a webcam, and the pc itself.
However as handy as that is perhaps, a laptop computer won’t be your best option relying on the way you’re going to make use of it. You might not want the entire equipment and kaboodle. Plus, there’s a great little bit of engineering that goes into laptop computer designs — and that provides to the fee.
In case your laptop computer goes for use at residence on a regular basis, tethered to your desk with an exterior monitor and keyboard and mouse, and also you’re solely selecting a laptop computer since you don’t need to spend tons for a cumbersome pre-built desktop PC… then contemplate a mini PC as an alternative.
Mini PCs supply a number of advantages over laptops which can be completely price it in the event you don’t want the innate portability that laptops supply.
Associated: Why you shouldn’t purchase a laptop computer based mostly purely on its specs
Mini PCs are extra economical
Jared Newman / Foundry
Whereas there’s no assure {that a} mini PC will all the time be cheaper than an equal laptop computer, it’s usually true that you would be able to get a stable mini PC for a lower cost than you’d pay for a laptop computer with comparable {hardware}.
That’s as a result of the mini PC can forego the prices of different parts that aren’t included: show, keyboard, mouse, audio system, battery, and many others. If you have already got all that stuff, or in the event you plan to equip your laptop computer with numerous exterior peripherals, then you definately’re losing cash with a laptop computer.
For an excessive instance that drives residence the purpose, evaluate the M2 Mac Mini with the M2 MacBook Air. By skipping out on all the opposite “laptop” parts, the Mac Mini solely prices $599 — considerably lower than the MacBook Air’s $999 price ticket.
Which implies in the event you’re out there for a selected vary (e.g., entry-level, mid-tier, high-end), then you definately’ll doubtless pay much less for a similar choices in the event you go along with a mini PC as an alternative of a laptop computer.
Mini PCs have higher efficiency
Mattias Inghe
Mini PCs have a bonus that permits for even larger efficiency than you’d get in comparable laptops: they aren’t constrained by the dimensions limitations that laptops require, so mini PCs have larger freedom on the subject of their inner parts.
The bodily design of a laptop computer determines how air flows by the laptop computer, which impacts cooling. Laptops should stability warmth administration with efficiency. In the meantime, mini PCs can form themselves nevertheless they need — and with simpler cooling, they will push their parts additional and eke out extra efficiency.
For instance, the $429 Asus ExpertCenter PN53 mini PC (Amazon hyperlink) runs its Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU quick sufficient to attain 12,812 factors in Cinebench R23’s multi-core take a look at and 1,558 factors in its single-core take a look at.
That places it fairly near the $850 Asus Zenbook 14 OLED laptop computer (Amazon hyperlink), which scores 13,777 and 1,508 in the identical assessments, respectively — and that’s with a Ryzen 7 8840HS CPU, which is an improve over the mini PC’s chip.
It’s an analogous story on the Mac aspect of issues. Our pals over at MacWorld noticed the $699 M1 Mac Mini outperform the $999 M1 MacBook Air in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 5 assessments. Discuss big financial savings!
Mini PCs don’t have batteries
Panos Sakalakis / Unsplash
Ignoring the fee and efficiency elements that push mini PCs forward of laptops, right here’s one other massive one to contemplate: since mini PCs aren’t moveable, they don’t have any batteries.
Batteries will be problematic, not simply in laptops however in any moveable machine. The fixed charging and discharging generates further warmth that may hurt the opposite inner parts if pushed too exhausting, and it additionally wears down on the battery’s lifespan.
Mini PCs have fewer elements to fret about so far as longevity is worried, which suggests they often last more.
Associated: I switched my $1000 desktop for a $300 mini PC and remorse nothing
Mini PCs are simpler to improve
Jared Newman / Foundry
Most laptops don’t have sufficient inner area for upgrades. Possibly you possibly can swap out a bit right here and there, however typically you’re caught with no matter configuration you purchase.
Mini PCs are a special story. The Beelink SER5 (Amazon hyperlink) is perhaps a mini PC, however it’s spacious sufficient for an M.2 slot, a 2.5-inch SATA slot, and two SO-DIMM slots. So, regardless of coming with an M.2 drive, you possibly can improve with an additional SATA drive if you wish to — and you may improve the RAM modules past the preliminary configuration.
Actually, a fast seek for “mini PC” on Newegg exhibits that the majority accessible mini PCs explicitly supply user-accessible RAM and assist a number of storage drives (i.e., each SATA and M.2 slots).
In the meantime, trendy laptops usually include a single M.2 slot with no room for an additional drive, they usually generally include RAM modules which can be soldered on. This implies you possibly can solely improve your information drive by changing it and you may’t improve your RAM in any respect.
Additional studying: Killer PC upgrades which can be shockingly low cost
Mini PCs have extra ports
Mattias Inghe
As laptops have gotten slimmer and smaller, sure elements needed to be sacrificed to get there — like ports and connectivity.
Today, you’d be fortunate to get two USB ports and a headset jack. Bonus factors in the event you additionally get an HDMI port. Excessive-end laptops specifically have nearly given up on ports, such because the Dell XPS 13 that solely provides two USB-C ports. This implies an excessive reliance on hubs and docks.
Mini PCs play to a special tune. The very first mini PC in my Newegg search consists of 4 USB-A ports on one aspect, after which two HDMI 2.0 ports, two Ethernet ports, and a headset jack on one other aspect.
And that’s not even one of many extra spectacular mini PCs. The Minisforum UM690S has 4 10Gbps USB-A ports, two HDMI ports able to 4K@60Hz, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and a Kensington lock slot — and all of that’s simply on the rear. The entrance moreover has a 10Gbps USB-C port, a USB4 port, and a headset jack.
Mini PCs is perhaps what you want
In brief, mini PCs supply extra bang in your buck than laptops, in a position to wring out extra efficiency from equal {hardware} and costing lower than laptops on the identical tier.
In fact, you’re giving up the innate portability of a laptop computer by choosing a mini PC, however that’s wonderful in the event you’re all the time at residence anyway. You’ll even have to offer your individual keyboard, mouse, and monitor, however you will get them for reasonable and nonetheless pay lower than you’d for a laptop computer.
In case you’re out there for a brand new machine and also you suppose your solely selections are laptop computer, desktop, or pill, suppose once more. The mini PC is perhaps precisely the factor that serves you greatest for the worth.
Associated: I switched from a $1,000 desktop PC to a $300 mini PC and remorse completely nothing
