Apple Mac Mini Alternatives: Best Windows based mini desktop PC Options

The old Mac Mini used to be the most affordable MacOS based machine one can buy. With the new 2018 Mac Mini however, Apple has pushed the price up by nearly double. It’s time to look elsewhere. We explore 5 rival mini PC options to go against the Apple Mac Mini

So what are we up against? The entry level Mac Mini now spots an 8th generation Intel Core i3 quad-core processor clocking 3.6GHz. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD storage, relying solely on embedded Intel UHD Graphics 630.

Apple Mac Mini on Amazon

Here’s what Apple will have you start with. You can customise the specifications below by choosing your starting point and configure to your heart’s content.

If you plan on using the Mini for more than just your standard everyday computing such as 3D rendering, photo and movie editing then you will need the higher model. One that is based on the 8th generation Intel Core i5 6-core processor 3.0GHz speed (Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz). This is configured with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage to start.

And, if that is now enough, and if you have a deep pocket, push up the specs to include an 8th generation Intel Core i7 hexa core processor with 3.2GHz speed (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz), up to 32GB RAM and up to 2TB SSD storage. You can even up the included Gigabit Ethernet adapter to a 10Gigabit Ethernet adapter. However, all that is going to cost up to a ridiculous $2999.00. That’s nearly four time the price of an entry level Mac Mini.

Budget conscious consumers looking for a mini desktop are left with the entry level Mac Mini based on Core i3 or the next model with Core i5, both of which are quite expensive to begin with.

Top 5 Best Mac Mini Alternatives

The mini desktop or small form factor segment has seen a decline as more people move to an all-in-one machine or a laptop. Dell used to offer the Inspiron Zino mini PC and Inspiron Micro Desktop. They have since ceased the lines in favour of conventional desktop PCs and all-in-ones. Still, if one looks hard enough, there are quite a few capable machine that will go against the Mac Mini.

1. Intel NUC Performance Mini PC series 10

The ultra small form factor PCs from Intel are offered as a ready to use or as a kit. The latter means you can get your hands into the configuration and assembly of your own mini PC. Choose from a range of Intel processors, add your own memory, storage and operating system to complete your system.

For most people, the ready-to-use option, configured and tuned by Intel with Windows 10 installed will be the better answer. Again, you get a choice of processors with the Intel NUC 10 Performance mini PC:

• Intel Core i3-10110U Processor (4M Cache, Up to 4.10GHz)
• Intel Core i5-10210U Processor (6M Cache, Up to 4.10GHz)
• Intel Core i7-10710U Processor (12M Cache, Up to 4.70GHz)

Beyond that, the series is available in two chassis measuring 117mm width and 112mm depth with varying height of 51mm or 38mm. The taller chassis allows for an extra 2.5-inch Hard Disk Drive on top of the standard 256GB NVMe SSD storage. Connectivity ports are the same across both variants, see image below.

For more storage options, M.2 and 2.5-inch internal drive, pick the taller option. There is also a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort 1.2 so you can connect up to two monitors. One over the HDMI 2.0a port and the other over the USB-C. Typical configurations of the ready-made Intel NUC 10 mini PCs are listed below

• Intel® Core™ i3-10110, Core i5-10210U or Core i7-10710 Processor
• 2 x 4GB DDR4-2666 (max 64GB supported)
• 16GB Intel® Optane™ Memory M.2 module + 1TB HDD or 256DB NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD*

NOTE: *smaller 38mm version does not come with 2.5-inch 1TB HDD.

2. ASUS VivoMini PC UN68

The UN68 is similar in design to the UN65 but features the 8th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. Don’t be deceived by its small foot print, the VivoMini UN68 is capable of supporting dual storage options. Use the NVE Express M.2 interface for super fast SSD data transfers of up to 32 GBps and the SATA interface for bigger 2.5-inch HDD or SSD storage. The unit can also be specified with Intel Optane memory for better system performance. The mini desktop supports up to 3 displays with one at 4K UHD resolution perfect for multitasking or as a home entertainment center. Even with all that power, the system runs silently with optimised low speed fan setting. A barebone model is also available where you add your own memory and storage.

ASUS VivoMini UN68 on Amazon

Gigabit Ethernet, 4-in-1 Card Reader, Kensington Lock, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 with Battery Charging 1.2 (Front) 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 DC-in and 1 Audio Jack. Dimensions and Weight: 131 x 131 x 52 mm (WxDxH), 700 grams. Also included (region dependent) are keyboard, mouse, power adapter and VESA mount kit.

3. HP Z2 Mini G3 workstation

A purpose built workstation, the HP Z2 Mini G3 machines are small enough to mount to the back of a monitor. As its name suggest, this is more of a workstation targeting the professional and business users. The specification starts with Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB RAM memory and 1TB HDD storage. Next, we have an Intel Core i7 model, 8GB RAM and 256 SSD storage with NVIDIA Quadro M620 2GB GPU. Then there is the Intel Core i7 model, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage with NVIDIA Quadro M620 2GB GPU.

HP Z2 Mini G3 on Amazon

If you are after even more power, consider the Intel® Xeon® E3-1225 v5 3.3GHz TB up to 3.7GHz with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD model or the Intel® Xeon® E3-1245 v5 3.5 GHz TB to 3.9 GHz with 16GB memory and 512GB SSD. Both uses the discrete NVIDIA Quadro M620 2GB GPU.

4. ASUS VivoMini PC UN65

The UN65 from Asus is an award winning quiet mini PC with a full range of processor options from Core i3 to Core i5 to Core i7 Kayby Lake. Like its newer counterpart, the UN65 also supports dual storage options with the high speed 10GBps M.2 SSD interface. The mini PC can be hooked up to 3 displays with one being 4K UHD resolution. Like the UN68, ASUS has included software to turn the system into a media center with ASUS Media Streamer and Remote Go! apps. The latter includes access to Cloud storage, remote desktop, files transfer and remote keyboard and mouse control.

ASUS VivoMini PC UN65 on Amazon

Gigabit Ethernet, 4-in-1 Card Reader, Kensington Lock, 2 USB 3.1 with Battery Charging 1.2 (Front) 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 DC-in and 1 Audio Jack. Dimensions and Weight: 131 x 131 x 52 mm (WxDxH), 700 grams. Also included (region dependent) are keyboard, mouse, power adapter and VESA mount kit.

5. HP Elite Slice

A modular platform, the HP Elite Slice is a premium mini desktop PC with a big ambition. There many modular add-on options, these include the Optical Disk Drive and the Bang & Olufsen Audio Module. The specifications start from the  Intel Core i3 processor with 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD storage to  Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage to Intel Core i7 with 8GB and 256GB SSD storage.

HP Elite Slice on Amazon

HP Elite Slice on Amazon

OTHERS:

ACEPC AK1 and GK1 Mini Desktop

Taking a leaf from the modular HP Elite Slice’s design book is ACEPC AK1 and GK1 Mini desktop. It even features the floating cover effect and air grill. And, no it’s not from Acer, the Taiwanese manufacturer but ACEPC. In fact, Acer also has a module desktop PC of their own called theAcer Revo Build. But, this is no modular machine, at least not yet.

ACEPC on Amazon

ACEPC has been able to keep the price ultra low using Intel’s Celeron J3455 CPU 1.5GHz that turbo boosts up to 2.3GHz speed, using only 4GB of RAM and 32GB eMMC storage. Other memory and storage options are available; 6GB+64GB and 8GB+120GB both are paired with the more powerful Intel Celeron J4105 Quad-core processor clocking at 1.5GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.5GHz).

PassMark CPU benchmark puts the two processors at 2146 and 2641 respectively. But what really caught our attention, apart from the small form factor are the ability to add your own 2.5-inch storage in the included hard disk enclosure module or mSATA SSD in the main unit and support for 4K Ultra HD output and playback. We recommend the mSATA route as the 2.5-inch storage route is more of an external storage solution via fixed USB Type-C socket, USB 3.0 bandwidth limitation applies.

Elsewhere, you get 802.11ac Dual band WiFi. Bluetooth 4.2, 1x Gigabit LAN, 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 2x HDMI for dual monitor support, 1x audio output, 1x Micro SD slot (for TF cards with up to 128GB).

Seriously, if you are considering a small desktop and don’t want to spend a bomb, the ACEPC is your answer but we strongly recommend adding a 128GB or 256GB mSATA Solid State Drive and move your Windows Installation there. Not only will your system run smoother and faster, you will have more room for apps and Windows super size updates. Plus, included in the price is Windows 10 64-bit Operating System.

ACEPC on Amazon

Chromeboxes as Mac Mini Alternatives in Education

We also considered the following Chrome OS based machines. Don’t forget, Chrome OS now fully supports Android apps on Google Play. This opens up the platform to thousands of apps were previously available on tablets and smartphones. If your desktop based tasks are based on the Internet, browsing the web, social media and emails, consuming streaming media and content as well as mobile apps then Chromebox may be your thing. Not only are these machines cheap, you never have to worry about viruses and malware with automatic system updates from Google.

The low total cost of ownership, great manageability, easy collaboration, Google Play for Education content and Google’s G Suite for Education makes the Chromebox and amazing option for the education sector. The device is perfect in a classroom or lab setting requiring little administration and support, saving the school time and money.

ASUS Chromebox 3 Mini PC

The latest Chrome OS based mini form factor machine from ASUS is powered by 8th generation Intel Core processor. The unit comes with a versatile USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port for fast data transfer and power delivery as well as DisplayPort functionality. The latter lets you connect up to two 4K UHD displays turning your Chromebox into a true multi-tasking setup with extended desktop. It works even better with a touchscreen especially when driving those mobile apps from Google Play store, perfect for games and apps that require touch control.

Front I/O:1 x 3 -in-1 Card Reader, 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x Audio jack. Back I/O: 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 LAN, 1 x DC-in

HP Chromebox G2

The chromebox as its name suggest is based on Chrome OS. It starts with an 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM and 32GB SSD storage and maxing out with Intel’s 8th generation Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and 64GB SSD storage.