Purchasing a mini PC is not a daunting task. Depending on your usage, you just have to find the right mini PC that meets your end-user needs. Simple, right? But isn’t it better to know a little more about the device before spending the bucks?
This is why we have curated this simple and succinct mini PC guide to help you out. The guide provides an overview of mini PCs and covers the introduction of the mini PC, its variants, as well as the pros and cons of a mini PC.
Let’s get to know the mini PC to understand its increasing appeal amongst tech enthusiasts.
What is a Mini PC?
A mini PC, as the name suggests, refers to a computer that is exceedingly small compared to a desktop PC. This overtly simple definition might give rise to an important question: is a mini PC worth it? The answer lies with you. The tiny form factor and lightweight body of the mini PC make it a popular choice as it is readily portable. You can carry it anywhere with you with great ease. Furthermore, mini PCs are very cost-effective and some even pack as much power and performance as their desktop counterparts. Because of these and various other advantages of mini PCs, many people are now picking mini PCs over desktop PCs.
Which Different Variants of a Mini PC are there?
There are two variants of mini PCs available in the market: barebones and ready-to-go. You can choose from different variants of mini PCs according to your needs.
Barebone PCs
Barebone systems are the cheaper out of the two variants mainly because they are composed only of the case, the motherboard, and a processor. This means that you would have to install a hard drive and RAM. If you are fond of customizing PCs, the barebones would be your choice as they can be customized and upgraded.
Ready-to-go PCs
Ready-to-go mini PCs are ready to be used as you receive them. They feature a hard drive, RAM, and an operating system. Quite naturally, they are pricier than the barebones as they are a lot more convenient.
Advantages of a Mini PC
Portability
Mini PCs are ultra-portable because of their small sizes and lightweight bodies. Some mini PCs like Dot 1 Mini PC can even fit in your back pocket. They are easy to carry around and most of the time you won’t even notice their weight. Because of their portability, mini PCs are perfect for travel enthusiasts who can travel with their PC.
Space-saving Devices
Because of their compact sizes, mini PCs are great space-savers. You can mount a mini PC to a wall or the back of your monitor and save all the desk space. It helps you maintain a tidy space and use it more efficiently. Dot 1 Mini PC comes with a screen mount in the box so you can attach it to the back of your monitor.
Cost-effective
A mini PC is a great investment because compared to laptops and desktop PCs, it is very cost-effective. Mini PCs pack all the functionality and performance of a traditional computer in small size and less price. There are three variants of Dot 1 available at prices ranging from $220-$289 only.
Energy-efficiency
Less power consumption is one of the biggest advantages of a mini PC. Mini PCs consume 10x less power than desktop PCs. Dot 1 mini PC is the most energy-efficient mini PC as it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. It is highly energy-efficient and requires only 5 Watts of power.
Variety of Operating Systems
Various operating systems can be found in different mini PCs. Apple’s Mac mini runs on macOS. Other than that, you can easily find Linux-based mini PCs, Android mini PCs, and Windows mini PCs as well. Dot 1 mini PC is the first-ever Windows-based ARM mini PC. It comes with an activated Windows 11 Pro.
Disadvantages of a Mini PC
Limited Upgradability
Most of the mini PCs offer little to no room for upgrading the device. A mini PC comes with fixed hardware, so if you want to upgrade your mini PC later, you are unable to do it. You would have to purchase a new device if you wish to upgrade the specs.
Missing Physical Interface
It is not really a disadvantage that the physical interface is missing from the mini PCs since it is common knowledge. You would have to purchase a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse separately or just save the money and use the old ones.
Overheating issues
Many mini PC consumers complain about overheating issues in mini PCs. If the device does not overheat, then the loud fans can be hard to deal with. Fanless mini PCs present the solution to this issue. Dot 1 Mini PC is a fanless, ARM-based mini PC. It does not overheat and consequently does not require fans to cool down, hence reducing the heat and noise.