The best mini computer of 2024: Small footprint, big impact

Though not technically a PC, Apple's Mac Mini is a slick, stellar option for office workers in need of some compact computing power.

An excellent mini PC that packs a performance punch, the Mac Mini is equipped with an excellent M2 Bionic chip, offering enormous power in a mini case. Though the Mini M2 is particularly small, its 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD certainly make up for its stature. If that isn't enough for you, there are other models with more storage, more RAM or even a better processor like the M2 Pro are available.

Solidly designed, polished and adorned with the iconic Apple logo - the Mac Mini looks stunning.

Cheap, simple, and the perfect solution to your snug desk needs, the NiPoGi Mini PC is a breath of fresh air in an absurdly affordable mini PC design.

Out of the box, the NiPoGi mini PC has some surprisingly decent tech under the hood, able to support 4K video right out of the box, something that is largely unheard of amongst budget PCs, let alone mini PCs.

While NiPoGi's RAM is undoubtedly something to garner buzz amongst tech enthusiasts, its onboard Intel Alder Lake-Ν95 CPU leaves a bit to be desired. A twelfth-generation Intel CPU with a top clock speed of 3.4GHz – this CPU isn't breaking many records for performance.

Yet, what else is to be expected from its price? Forgoing the low-end CPU, the NiPoGi mini PC has enough RAM for some intensive multitasking and while it may have some lacklustre internal storage, NiPoGi's Mini PC is an undeniable bargain with some roughness around its edges.

The perfect mini office PC at a competitive price, the Minisforum UM690Pro is a small yet mighty mini PC worth investing in for that extra desk space you've dreamed of.

Visually subtle and stealthy for those who'd prefer to avoid the blinking and flashing of a fully RGB gaming PC – you'll barely notice that the Minisforum UM690Pro is even there, lending to a seamless modern desktop aesthetic.

As for hardware, the UM690Pro packs a punch thanks to its 32GB of RAM and AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU which is simply spectacular. Where storage is concerned, you've also got 1TB of SSD, which seems unfathomable for the size of the desktop. This monstrous storage space lends itself well to large creative projects or heaps of data from your day job.

Mighty as the Minisforum UM690Pro's hardware may be, its case certainly is not. The overall feel is somewhat flimsy, with a design that lacks refinement and is instead practical. That being said, the UM690Pro has enough going for it in terms of performance to almost entirely outweigh its setbacks, but it's certainly something to consider before investing.

Another entry from NiPoGi, this is one of the most reviewed (and highly-rated) mini PCs on Amazon. Featuring an array of eye-catching RGB lights all across the small case, this packs in the features on the inside as well as the outside. The AMD CPU and integrated graphics are more than enough to handle 4K gameplay at 60Hz, and even support VR gaming. This outpaces many other desktop PCs, and to do so in such a small footprint is very impressive.

Though the storage is a little underwhelming, there is the possibility of upgrading internal storage with an SSD later in the lifespan of the mini-computer. But with the 32GB of DDR5 memory, you won't be needing more RAM anytime soon.

As for anything outside of gaming, it can handle anything from spreadsheets to CAD files. There's no task too big for this tiny PC.

For those in need of slick aesthetics and reliable build quality, Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro has some of the best build quality amongst mini PCs on the market. A simple, glossy and smart design that exudes a solid feel, the Venus UM790 is cut from a different cloth compared to the droves of cheap-feeling mini PCs available.

But its quality doesn't end there, under the hood there are some truly brilliant tech specs – 32GB of DDR5 RAM, an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and even its own dedicated AMD Radeon 780M graphics card – performance on the Venus UM790 Pro is impressive.

A great mini PC for video editing, despite its less than £700 price, there are really very few holes to poke in the UM790 Pro's almost flawless design. If we were to nitpick, however, the Venus UM790's components, much like most laptops, are soldered on. Consequently, you're not given the option to swap and upgrade once the mini PC begins to gather dust.

While this is normal for many mini PCs, it's certainly an option that would take the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro to the next level.

Not the most exciting option considering visuals and value, this reliable Intel Mini PC does exactly what it says on the tin. A standard PC with 16GB of RAM with good connectivity for a range of USB sticks and peripherals, and most importantly, a wonderful 11th-generation Intel i7 processor, The Intel Mini PC is everything you will need for a productive, lag-free workday.

Design-wise, its exterior certainly leaves much to be desired – its thin plastic shell does little in the way of protecting its hardware, nor does it give a premium feel that other mini PC cases do. When you buy this PC, you're buying the security the Intel brand provides, and the reassurance you'll be able to RMA it should something go wrong.

While it may be designed for gaming, the ASUS ROG Ally uses the Windows 11 operating system, making this a PC you can fit in your pocket, equipped with an HD 120Hz touchscreen, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and an AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor with a whopping 8 cores. ASUS pack the features into this tiny package, supporting AAA-level gaming or just regular internet browsing. However, with the limited ports that this device can support, working on spreadsheets on the go may be a little trickier.

The ROG Ally acts almost like a PC version of the Nintendo Switch, packing everything into something that can be used on a plane, train, or on your desktop just as easily. The power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor, ensuring whatever you do on it will be protected from prying eyes. While it comes with integrated speakers (and a mic) there is also a 3.5mm headphone jack for keeping your noise to a minimum on a crowded bus ride.

Somehow they manage to fit all of this into such a small item, but there aren't concessions to be made. There are a lack of ports available on the back, so playing and charging at the same time might be tricky (though they've learned from the Switch and made sure it wasn't on the bottom, at least). There are also other options in the portable gaming scene, such as the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go, both have their own upsides and downsides.

Overall, with some compromises for the standard PC experience, you'll not find a more compact PC experience than this.