The best Windows based alternative to Mac Mini?

[AV2RY]

What is the best Windows based alternative to Mac Mini (https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fmac-mini%2F&token=N2jD8mnp) within the same price range and same form factor?

I'd like to not have the big system box, and never used all-in-one so idk how they perform. I've used Mac Mini for a few days at work for below workload. So far haven't seen any issues, lags but I don't like using it.

Workload will be

* Two monitors

* Emailing

* Word & Excel

* Little of Photoshop to fix scanned documents

* Foxit/Adobe for PDF creating & editing

 

[TechFreak1]

What is the best Windows based alternative to Mac Mini (https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fmac-mini%2F&token=-FIkG0zP) within the same price range and same form factor?

I'd like to not have the big system box, and never used all-in-one so idk how they perform. I've used Mac Mini for a few days at work for below workload. So far haven't seen any issues, lags but I don't like using it.

Workload will be

* Two monitors

* Emailing

* Word & Excel

* Little of Photoshop to fix scanned documents

* Foxit/Adobe for PDF creating & editing

Which price range are you looking at?

Personally, seems abit over kill if that is all you are going to be doing as you could get by with a $400 (even less) custom build.

Edit: A quick list through PC part picker.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/q6c4hy

 

[TechFreak1]

To add to the post above, this a typical build I am looking at to replace my current desktop over the course of a year and the reason I asked about the price range - the link you provided has two variants - one at $800 and the other at $1099:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/3QRy7W


For a thousand bucks, you can build something like this:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/dbC9pG

The GPU chosen is the RX580 (XFX - Radeon RX 580 8 GB GTR XXX Edition White Video Card) because right GPUs are absurdly priced and this card is alot more value for money at £212.

My point is to the OP and anyone else considering a mac mini or a something similiar - build it yourself and you will save alot more money / get alot more for your hard earned cash.

 

[ochhanz]

What is the best Windows based alternative to Mac Mini (https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fmac-mini%2F&token=spKKxpFB) within the same price range and same form factor?

I'd like to not have the big system box, and never used all-in-one so idk how they perform. I've used Mac Mini for a few days at work for below workload. So far haven't seen any issues, lags but I don't like using it.

Workload will be

* Two monitors

* Emailing

* Word & Excel

* Little of Photoshop to fix scanned documents

* Foxit/Adobe for PDF creating & editing

, what you want is either a small mini-itx pc or nano-itx pc. Nano is really small, for example Intel Nuc if you want something prebuild.
Mini-itx pc is still small and cheaper & easier to service/repair/upgrade. For a good mini itx pc I would suggest going to a good shop and make a list of the following components and let the shop build your pc:
- a small case (/mini itx case)
- mini itx motherboard
- processor
- memory/ram (8gb is enough for most people)
- ssd (what you need for storage, e.g. 256 gb)
- sfx psu (gold label, e.g. a Corsair one)
- monitors

Note that nowadays Intel (e.g. Intel Core i5-8500, 6 cores and an okay igpu) and AMD (e.g. AMD Ryzen 5 2400G, 4 cores and a very good igpu) both have good processors, but keep in mind that the processor has to fit in the motherboard and that the cooler of the processor has to fit in the case. When you have your list either let someone on this or an other forum check it and/or ask the store.

 

[AV2RY]

I didn't notice there were two options, I was on the phone when I posted this. I'm looking at $799 Mini. That's what my company uses (I just started there). I don't like that OS, and would like to have something as powerful, if not better but Windows. Already told my manager I want Windows PC

 

[TechFreak1]

I didn't notice there were two options, I was on the phone when I posted this. I'm looking at $799 Mini. That's what my company uses (I just started there). I don't like that OS, and would like to have something as powerful, if not better but Windows. Already told my manager I want Windows PC

I see, so it's going to be purchased by your place of employment - that changes things. Have a look at the small form factor PCs or the tiny series - links below. HP Elite desk G2 Mini were decent but specs wise... the latest models aren't that cheap for what you get.

www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops-and-a...m-series-tiny/ThinkCentre-M920q/p/11TC1MTM92Q

www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops-and-all-in-ones/thinkcentre/m-series-sff/ThinkCentre-M920s/p/11TC1MDM92S