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Best mini PCs

Updated on: 25 April,2021 08:35 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Jaison Lewis |

If you don't have the space for a full-sized computer, there are lots of options to swap your behemoth for a discreet mini-PC. Here is a list of the best

Best mini PCs

Representation pic

Asus Mini PC PN-50




If you are looking for a mini powerhouse, the PN50 it is. While it might not be right for extreme gaming like some of the other choices here, but it is more than ready for a light gaming session and some 8K entertainment. Under the hood, this tiny PC packs AMD Ryzen 4000 series processor. The robust processor along with the built-in graphic card can support up to four 4k displays or even an 8K display at 60hz. For storage, there is space for a 2.5-inch hard drive and an M.2 SSD drive. The dimensions of this PC are 1.9 x 4.52 x 4.52 inches, it weighs in at around a kilo. This is a barebones PC, which means you have to add storage and RAM. 
Price: Rs 66,000


Intel NUC 9 Extreme Kit

The NUC 9 is an interesting product—it is a barebones gaming PC that is upgradable. The entire PC fits in a box that 9.37 x 8.50 x 3.78 inches. The actual PC components are housed on a card that goes in a slot in the NUC 9 box right next to the graphic card slot. This card PC can come  with a variety of processors—the one we have the price for is the i7-9750. This can be upgraded easily by replacing the entire CPU card unit with a faster newer CPU card in the future. The computer has two M.2 slots, slots for two DDR4 RAM chips totalling up to 64 GB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4 USB 3 ports, 2 USB C ports, dual LAN ports, headphone jack and HDMI. This PC is bare bones and you will have to add a graphic card that fits the dimensions of the case, a hard drive and RAM. You are essentially paying for innovation and the size here.
Price: Rs 1,29,999

Asus Chromebit CS10

While the rest of the computers have full-fledged components, there are also minimalist computers like this Asus Chromebit that weighs in at just 75 grams. The Chromebit CS10 runs Chrome OS and uses Google services to simulate a computer on pretty much any screen as long as it has a free HDMI port. You can connect your keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth and the built-in Wi-Fi lets you connect to the Internet. Chrome OS uses Google Docs, Chrome Browser, YouTube and other services to form a versatile entertainment and work computer. The only downside is that you need the Internet to connect to most of those services. There is a USB port at the back of the device which you can use for the storage of the offline file. Additionally, Google also offers 100GB of free cloud storage with the device. Like the Mac Mini, this is ready to plug and play; not bad for a device that costs a fraction of most of the computers on this list. 
Price: Rs 11,000

Magnus One

Just as the Intel NUC, demonstrated gaming PCs don’t need to be monstrous in size. The Zotac Magnus One is yet another example of a great gaming PC in its tiniest form. Measuring at just 9.8 x 10.45 x 4.96 inches, this computer houses a 10th generation i7 Intel processor and the latest 3070 Nvidia graphics card. The other specs include two DDR4 RAM slots that can be upgraded to 64GB, 8 M.2 PCIe slots for storage, space for a 2.5inch SSD hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. At the back, it has two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, Dual LAN connections a 1Gigabit and a 2.5 Gigabit. The entire unit is AIR cooled. Due to global chip shortages, you might find it difficult to locate one of these. They have been sold out on Amazon for weeks now. This is a barebones PC which means you have to add storage and RAM, however, the graphic card is included.
Price: Rs 1,35,000

Mac Mini M1

The Mac Mini, by far, is Apple’s smallest computer. If you are looking to get a Mac on a budget, you need to pick this one up. Of course, you will have to get your own keyboard, mouse and screen, but you are not forced to buy them from Apple. Instead, you can use pretty much any component you have lying at home. The new M1 chip lets this mini-computer edit video, produce content, play games and work. Unlike Apple’s other offerings, this one comes with lots of ports, including an Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt/ USB C ports, two USB ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Mac mini is just 1.4 inches thick and has a width of 7.7 inches. In true Apple fashion, everything works right out of the box. 
Price: Rs 64,900

Apple rolls out new products


iMac will be available in India in the second half of May

Apple launched a bunch of new products, including an updated iMac featuring their M1 chipset. The new iMac comes in seven different colours and features an improved camera and sound system. The 24-inch iMac will start at Rs 1,19,900. Apple also revealed a brand-new iPad Pro again, featuring Apple Silicon’s M1 chip. There will be two versions of the iPad Pro—the bigger more expensive one will feature a pro screen upgrade called Liquid Retina XDR. The new XDR display features Micro LED backlighting. The iPad Pro 11-inch will start at Rs 71,900, while the 12.9-inch version will start at Rs 99,900. Apple also updated the Apple TV 4k with a chipset upgrade and a brand new remote. The new 4k Apple TV will start at Rs 18,900. Apple also introduced a completely new product called AirTag. The AirTag leverages Apple’s network of devices to find objects. Air tags cost Rs 10,900 for a pack of four. They have user-replaceable batteries. These are available to buy right now. The iPad Pro and iMac will be available in India in the second half of May, but preorders begin on April 30. While the availability for Apple TV 4k has not yet been specified.

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