The only hardware we’ve seen that is roughly comparable with the AK2 Plus is the GMKtec NucBox G1, which uses the Intel N95 CPU and comes with only 8GB of memory. However, the AK2 Plus fails to reach even the level of the G1, being especially poor at anything that involves processing or graphics. When choosing which mini PC is best for you, there are several factors to consider - but first, it's important to be sure a mini PC is right for your needs. Its critical feature is the low TPD of just 6W, making this an ideal computer for those who leave systems powered 24/7 or throughout a working day. However, most monitors will use considerably more power than 6W, so the power consumption of the AK2 Plus might not be a critical factor in power saving.

With dual memory modules installed, the K1 is easily fast enough to blood the nose of the Intel NUC 13 Pro and trounce any Core i5 or Celeron-powered machines. Access for memory or storage changes is remarkably easy and doesn’t even require the removal of screws. For simple office tasks, web surfing and making notes, the AK2 Plus is fine, and it also might be useful as a hardware firewall with a USB to Ethernet adapter. But it’s unsuitable for applications that need graphics processing or number crunching. This NUC doesn’t have many ports, but those soon get used up when considering the internal M.2, SATA port, Gigabit LAN and USB ports. However, there should have been enough to make the M.2 port NVMe spec, and that never happened.The Beelink U59 is easily one of the better NUC-sized machines we’ve seen, and it’s cheap enough for even the tightest budgets. If you're running a modern version of Linux such as Ubuntu, you may be able to get to the BIOS by typing "sudo systemctl reboot --firmware" at the command prompt. What if you can't boot your OS or hit a BIOS key? This isn’t a cheap NUC solution, but it does offer the potential for enhanced performance in the future for those who like to gamble a little.

The NPB7 is the flagship of the Venus series and features the incredible Intel Core i7-13700H (14 cores, 20 threads) mobile CPU and up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM. However, it can be bought barebones with the processor installed by the RAM and M.2 NVMe storage provided by the customer. Price is always a consideration. Depending on how you use it, the most expensive mini PC you can buy may not offer genuine value for money. We've curated a selection of mini PCs here, from premium machines to the cheapest mini PC with great performance. The highlights of this design are its metal case, easy access to the interior and relatively straightforward upgrades to memory and storage. It even has a spare M.2 2042 slot for adding additional space above that available through the main M.2 2280 slot.For smooth performance. a good CPU, GPU, and RAM are essential. We've included a selection of AMD- and Intel-powered thin clients here, all capable of delivering speed and performance for a range of uses. We've tested thousands of devices, from the best laptops for photo editing to best business computers, alongside small-form PCs. If your computer can't load an operating system, because it doesn't detect a bootable drive, it will usually pause, beep and give you the option to enter the BIOS, which it will often call "setup."

If a mini PC is best, consider how you'll be using your machine. In addition to general computer usage, Mini PCs have been used as media servers, games emulators, and much more. Despite their name, mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from tiny machines like the Acemagician T8 Plus to the Apple Mac mini, which on the larger size. But they're all considerably smaller than a desktop, so if you're looking for a space-saver, they're ideal. You'll find plenty that even include a VESA mount for attaching the device to monitors to de-clutter the desk. Here's a list of common BIOS keys by brand. Depending on the age of your model, the key may be different.As with desktop computers and laptops, the best RAM is a lot of RAM - as much as you can get. Especially if you’re using the mini PC for a lot of tasks. We recommend a bare minimum of 8GB memory, although 16GB and above is better. Are mini PCs good for gaming? With the new Intel N95, the NiPoGi GK3 Plus N95 offers an efficient SoC with good performance for everyday use. The AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor in this tiny computer has eight cores and can process sixteen threads, making it one of the most powerful small system platforms. Combined with 32GB of DDR5-4800, a Gen 4 NVMe drive and a chipset that includes Thunderbolt, a 2.5GbE LAN port and Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX2111, expect a very positive user experience. Laptops serve as a great all-in-one solution with everything you need to work and play. Accessories like keyboards and a dual monitor set-up are optional. They also come with a range of tech specs, with options for everyday computing tasks right up to high-powered gaming laptops.

There is a lot of variety when it comes to Mini PCs: various sizes are available and they are designed for various use cases. Mini PCs, sometimes known as think clients or NUCs, are ideal for light use, such as web browsing and video streaming. Some can even handle casual gaming sessions. But you won't find the raw power offered by the likes of the best mobile workstations. The UHD Graphics with only 24 Execution Units is very poor at just 750MHz, and many of the more challenging tests resulted in slideshows where the PC would take longer than a second to render a single frame.GMKtec has a reputation for making good quality small systems that won’t break the bank, and the NucBox M2 is a prime example of precisely that. That they included dual HDMI ports is illogical since the integrated GPU doesn’t have the power to drive one 4K screen smoothly in rendered graphics, so giving it two outputs seems mildly crazy. The AD08 is built around an 11thGen Intel Core-i9 processor and integrated UHD Graphics GPU to provide a platform that, in theory, has an eight-core and sixteen-thread capability.