I bet this has been asked before, but I can't find any previous so I'll ask anew. About mini-PCs.

First, are they any good at all or just a throwaway?

I ask because my 10-year-old battle-scarred Dell XPS is at end-of-life – it''s not viable to repair any of the bits that are not falling off. And I wonder if I could replace it with such a mini, given I have no shortage of keyboards, a mouse, etc., and have no use for dragging it around with me cos I no longer need to go anywhere.

But the XPS does have a functioning screen and it's very good (4K) so I wonder if I could use that (at least pro tem) perhaps via a HDMI from the mini to avoid having to buy a new monitor – I do not want anything big. Anyone know if that would work? What about sound? And what about the touchscreen?

This will be for the basics – writing, some graphic design and watching stored movies. No games.

Do these mini-PCs come ready to roll, or would I have to build it (soundboards, graphics cards and stuff I don't want to know about)?

Bluetooth?

I would be ok with windows 10, a devil I at least know, but do I have a choice any more – or is it Win 11 regardless?

You'll gather I have no idea about all this, so any polite advice would be appreciated.

This explains them a little. Most newer ones come with Bluetooth installed. Many come ready to go. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-windows-mini-pcs

What is a Mini PC?

Unlike large traditional desktop towers, mini PCs are small enough to sit unobtrusively on a desk or mount directly behind a monitor using a VESA mounting plate. They operate like laptops without built-in screens, keyboards, or batteries, using mobile or low-power desktop parts to deliver high efficiency.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:

  • Space-saving: Reduces physical clutter and frees up desk space.

  • Energy-efficient: Consumes much less power than full-sized towers.

  • Quiet operation: Many models run silently or feature fanless designs.

• Cons:

  • Limited Upgradability: Restricted space limits internal component expansion mostly to RAM and SSD storage.

  • Graphics Limits: Most rely on integrated graphics, making high-end AAA gaming difficult without an external GPU.

  • Support Hurdles: Lesser-known brands may present challenges for warranty service or hardware stability. ..........https://www.geekompc.com/what-is-mini-pc/

2 minutes ago, BaronHardup said:

I bet this has been asked before, but I can't find any previous so I'll ask anew. About mini-PCs.

First, are they any good at all or just a throwaway?

I ask because my 10-year-old battle-scarred Dell XPS is at end-of-life – it''s not viable to repair any of the bits that are not falling off. And I wonder if I could replace it with such a mini, given I have no shortage of keyboards, a mouse, etc., and have no use for dragging it around with me cos I no longer need to go anywhere.

But the XPS does have a functioning screen and it's very good (4K) so I wonder if I could use that (at least pro tem) perhaps via a HDMI from the mini to avoid having to buy a new monitor – I do not want anything big. Anyone know if that would work? What about sound? And what about the touchscreen?

This will be for the basics – writing, some graphic design and watching stored movies. No games.

Do these mini-PCs come ready to roll, or would I have to build it (soundboards, graphics cards and stuff I don't want to know about)?

Bluetooth?

I would be ok with windows 10, a devil I at least know, but do I have a choice any more – or is it Win 11 regardless?

You'll gather I have no idea about all this, so any polite advice would be appreciated.

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I have had several mini-pcs over the last eight years.
Some have been dual-boot (android and Windows/Linux) but the most recent (purchased 2023) is installed with Windows 11.

They have all had:

current-generation Bluetooth

1000mps (1Gbs) ethernet port

Wi-Fi (but only to n,, not ax)

two USB2.0 ports and two USB3.0 ports (current one has 3.1)
a 3.5mm headphone jack; and

HDMI

There isn't the full punch of high end Intel chips but they operate perfectly well running movies (up to 4k) Microsoft Office, and YouTube, Music Apps, and streaming.

To the best of my knowledge, you can't use your latops screen for it. Howevere, you can go to one of the larger Lotuses or Big Cs and get yourself a 32"4k TV for next to nothing.

I travel with mine overseas and domestically. It's lighter than a notebook but, obviously, requires you to take your own wireless keyboard and mouse - and HDMI cable for plugging into the TVs in hotels.

They are also considerably cheaper - on account they don't have a screen, optical drive or battery.

Problems that arise come from the vendor; mostly saying it has Window installed but it's not registered.
Easy to fix; just change the registered device for your Windows Licence to your new device through your Microsoft account.

Things to check for so it lasts:

At least 16Gb RAM;
At least 512gb SSD
4k video

HDMI 2.1 or above (and buy a proper HDMI cablle)
USB 3,1 or above (USB 2.0 ports are for your kb/mouse wireless pickup)

double-check those system minimums, while Win12 isn't released yet, I think these are the minimum specs.

My main machine is a tower that I bought and built myself . I over-specced the bayjayzus out of it, but still the little box does its job in the bedroom, streaming from my NAS to my 43" 4k TV.

I bought all my miniPCs through Lazada.

EDIT: I didn't use AI.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by The Oracle
I didn't use AI

17 minutes ago, The Oracle said:

I have had several mini-pcs over the last eight years.
Some have been dual-boot (android and Windows/Linux) but the most recent (purchased 2023) is installed with Windows 11.

They have all had:

current-generation Bluetooth

1000mps (1Gbs) ethernet port

Wi-Fi (but only to n,, not ax)

two USB2.0 ports and two USB3.0 ports (current one has 3.1)
a 3.5mm headphone jack; and

HDMI

There isn't the full punch of high end Intel chips but they operate perfectly well running movies (up to 4k) Microsoft Office, and YouTube, Music Apps, and streaming.

To the best of my knowledge, you can't use your latops screen for it. Howevere, you can go to one of the larger Lotuses or Big Cs and get yourself a 32"4k TV for next to nothing.

I travel with mine overseas and domestically. It's lighter than a notebook but, obviously, requires you to take your own wireless keyboard and mouse - and HDMI cable for plugging into the TVs in hotels.

They are also considerably cheaper - on account they don't have a screen, optical drive or battery.

Problems that arise come from the vendor; mostly saying it has Window installed but it's not registered.
Easy to fix; just change the registered device for your Windows Licence to your new device through your Microsoft account.

Things to check for so it lasts:

At least 16Gb RAM;
At least 512gb SSD
4k video

HDMI 2.1 or above (and buy a proper HDMI cablle)
USB 3,1 or above (USB 2.0 ports are for your kb/mouse wireless pickup)

double-check those system minimums, while Win12 isn't released yet, I think these are the minimum specs.

My main machine is a tower that I bought and built myself . I over-specced the bayjayzus out of it, but still the little box does its job in the bedroom, streaming from my NAS to my 43" 4k TV.

I bought all my miniPCs through Lazada.

EDIT: I didn't use AI.

Agreed. They really should clamp down on those low value cut and pastes from AI. Anyone can do that. How is that useful?

Personally, I purchased a 2 litre ex business box, as I didn't need it to be mobile and use my 55" 4K TV as a monitor.

When working with docs, I may have a 4-way split screen open. Try doing that with a tiny laptop screen.

If they are thinking of graphic design then they should get one with a CPU that can handle it. No Celery processors. I guess if they have an XPS, they won't be going to the cheapest box anyway. Though they should be aware of relatively pricey RAM and storage these days.

56 minutes ago, BaronHardup said:

I would be ok with windows 10, a devil I at least know, but do I have a choice any more – or is it Win 11 regardless?

I think you would be lucky to find one with Win 10. Saying that I am not sure if you can go backwards but if you can and want to maybe have a read of this -

https://www.theregister.com/software/2025/04/22/windows-10-ltsc-the-version-that-wont-expire-for-years/1250901

Will give you Win 10 for the next 5 years with no changes other than security updates. Works great for me.

5 minutes ago, Mr Hands said:

Agreed. They really should clamp down on those low value cut and pastes from AI. Anyone can do that. How is that useful?

Personally, I purchased a 2 litre ex business box, as I didn't need it to be mobile and use my 55" 4K TV as a monitor.

When working with docs, I may have a 4-way split screen open. Try doing that with a tiny laptop screen.

If they are thinking of graphic design then they should get one with a CPU that can handle it. No Celery processors. I guess if they have an XPS, they won't be going to the cheapest box anyway. Though they should be aware of relatively pricey RAM and storage these days.

Spot on.
I used to do 1080p CCTV video editing years ago. What are now called "mini PCs" couldn't draw enough power through its AC adapter to run just the video card on that.
However, even with my current main PC, I'd struggle with 4k editing.
I have read a few posts about prices of RAM gong up recently, but as I'm fully fitted for my needs, it isn't an issue.

However, I didn't know storage prices were on the rise. I'm looking to replace my 4Tb HDD with a SSD. The lifespan over here on magnetic drives is half than in temperate climates.
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to bring forward my NAS upgrade before all the anuses running AI data centres make everything except a phone too expensive to buy.

One possible downside of a mini pc compared to a laptop is the absence of a battery. If there's a power cut (very common where I live) you could lose any unsaved docs, and not shutting down properly can cause issues, especially if there's one of MS's endless updates running.

I connect my PC via a UPS to give me time to save docs in case of a power cut.

8 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

One possible downside of a mini pc compared to a laptop is the absence of a battery. If there's a power cut (very common where I live) you could lose any unsaved docs, and not shutting down properly can cause issues, especially if there's one of MS's endless updates running.

I connect my PC via a UPS to give me time to save docs in case of a power cut.

Once again, good advice.
I have UPSes attached to all my devices. The lowest powered ones (900vA) for my modem/router, and for my two wifi APs. A 2000VA for my main machine, with the TV attached to it has its own 1200VA. The Mini PC in my bedroom has an old 700VA(?) UPS that gets the old batteries when I replace the ones in those that mean something. It and the TV (no UPS) inside also go through a power filter. If the power dies when I'm watching TV in bed - which is rare - it gives me time to just do a 3-second power down with the power button. My printer is also in the room. Which I use for Immigration printouts.

3 hours ago, BaronHardup said:

But the XPS does have a functioning screen and it's very good (4K) so I wonder if I could use that (at least pro tem) perhaps via a HDMI from the mini to avoid having to buy

I don't know of any way to use a laptop display with an external computer. It's connected to the internal motherboard with no connectors available. Better to use a TV via a hdmi cable.