Mini PC's... Anyone have one?

[Hokie]

I have a 10 year old HP laptop I need to replace. Since I rarely use it for travel and use it mostly connected to a TV with a wireless mouse and keyboard it appears a mini PC would be a good choice for my application. Does anyone have one of these? The price range seems to run anywhere from $100 to $900.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

1. I have a Lenovo Think Centre

I have a big external drive hooked up to it, and I needed an additional USB hub, but it does everything I need it to, quickly. I don't PC game anymore so I don't need a big flashy, powerful tower.

[Hokie]

3. I have heard good things about Lenovo PC's

Yes that's along the lines of what I was looking at getting. I can see why you added the external drive. A 128 GB or 256 GB SSD would not be large enough.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Snark warning!!

Yes, I have a cell phone.
No, I do not, but there are some really good ones out there if you don't need any HEAVY processing done. Youtube is your friend here.

[usonian]

4. My two cents worth.

I am traveling and I took a mac mini with me.

The latest is $600 and has 256GB SSD, and the latest M2 CPU.

Windows looks like it will need Parallels to run.
https://machow2.com/windows-on-m1-mac/

Windows 11 runs incredibly fast on M1 and M2 Macs using Parallels. In fact, it’s so fast that it’s arguably better at running Windows than any PC laptops.

This older intel mini does everything except for niche windows apps that I don't use, and it can boot windows directly with boot camp. No Parallels software needed.

I'd have gotten a new mini already but since I edit photos a lot, the monitor means a ton, and a really good one costs more than the computer. I am still looking. The imac is tempting, but is one "M" behind the mini at this time.

Note: I am using a cheap 27" Dell monitor, (but not for photo editing. That demands top sharpness and brightness)
Get something better than a TV. Do your eyes a favor.

[canetoad]

5. Yes. I have one

Can't find a picture because it's so old; it has run almost continuously for eight or nine years. It's hooked up to a TV and it has one job - to play digital videos over wireless network. Cost $135 Au. from Aldi.

Intel Atom 1.33 ghz
30 gig SSD drive
2 gig RAM
Ports: Ethernet, 2xUSB, HDMI, audio.

32 bit Windows 8.1 but it's a 64 bit system.

OMG I would never have know how bad win 8 was if I didn't buy this system. I stripped the OS right down, uninstalled everything I didn't need for networking or running VLC player and installed Open Shell. Works like a charm.

No video port but I use HDMI and a couple of USB hubs. I would say the only issue is with the GPU. It can't really handle really HD (1080p) video - but 720p plays like a dream. Networking is solid. Wireless mouse and KB work well.

It sounds like you and I have similar applications for a mini-pc. I am very happy with mine, just get one with a better GPU. I also believe letting it run continuously - do a periodic restart, usually when the wireless adapter needs a reset.

[IbogaProject]

6. good idea

I'd suggest looking for refurbished and I'd want to avoid windows 11, and look for windows 10 pro or go older intel mac mini. I think You need pro to run older apps, but that might not be an issue for you, as there is some issue with lower bit size apps running on the modern for awhile now 64 bit machines. I've always felt Home Editions of windows to be much slower, I don't know if that comes up with the hardware that ends up with the Home version or if the OS version is actually slower. On the Mac Mini front look at the late 2014 and late 2018 models. there are still new in the box 2018 ones available. As to the PC side, Lenovo has decent support for their stuff. I'm not familiar enough too make recommendations on that side. I have a 2010 Mac Mini attached to my tv using Plex to make my media collection available to the Roku, some roku's have a headphone output on the remote so we can watch at night without bothering our school kid. I'm starting to consider upgrading the Mini to a newer generation. I use a keyboard trackpad combo to use the Mac, I've never gotten it together to have it controlled with a smart remote or an "air mouse".