DroiX looks at the very best Office Mini PC’s
Having access to a functional computer is essential to any modern office environment in this day and age. More and more services are moving online, and communications via physical documents alone are becoming increasingly slow and insecure in comparison to digital technologies.
With that in mind, not every type of computer is suitable for an office environment. If you work a sit-down, white-collar job, you’ll probably be looking for something that is lightweight and does not require much setup, particularly so if you regularly work with physical documents (forms, tools, etc.) so that your desk is not too cluttered.
This is why you should consider an Office Mini PC, and why we at DroiX have put together this buying guide containing some of the best Office Mini PCs we currently have available.
Need a mini PC that’s for something other than the office? Check out our broader selection here!
The Benefits of an Office Mini PC
The benefits of opting for a mini PC as your office computer are numerous, including the following.
Affordability
Prices for office-friendly mini PC’s have never been more affordable. Years ago a powerful yet compact PC may have cost you easily within the thousands for a unit that wasn’t much more powerful than a model twice the size at a third of the price.
Nowadays you can get mini PC’s with performance comparable to that of a full-sized desktop easily from around £300 to £500. This includes, RAM, storage (via SSD) and the operating system too!
The savings don’t end at the up-front costs either. Many office-friendly mini PCs feature energy-efficient processors that operate at a much lower TDP than a traditional desktop PC. Meaning if you tend to leave your office computer running for long periods of time, you will save slightly on electricity costs.
Space-Saving
Because of their small size, mini PCs are naturally very space-efficient.
If you want to get an immediate idea of how small one is. Splay out your hand wide, then make a claw with the tips of your fingers. You would be able to comfortably hold an office mini PC with this hand.
This makes them perfect for saving space when your desk is full of assorted documents, files, ornaments and gizmos.
No-Fuss
One of the most appealing parts of mini PCs is the reduced overhead in setting them up when compared to a full-sized desktop PC.
The reduced size means there’s less to lug about. And there’s very little in the way of tools required. It’s like buying a prebuilt PC, but even more manageable.
Uniform
This is an understated benefit that may not be of use to the home user, but is invaluable in enterprise setups with tens upon hundreds of computers (large financial institutions, schools, etc.).
Each unit from a model line is near identical to the next, so it is very easy to re-apply tried-and-true troubleshooting techniques across your entire inventory, as well as ensure that users are getting similar performance out of their unit, provided they are following any guidelines you may have defined.
What is the best Office Mini PC?
The best office mini PC is, as with all PCs, entirely dependent on your environment and use cases.
For example, if you (or your employees/colleagues) will be required to perform CPU-heavy tasks such as video rendering, you will want to opt for expensive models with high-performing CPUs.
Do you have a receptionist who needs a simple point-of-service device to book in appointments and other similar administrative tasks? Then a lower-end model running an i3 processor may be all that is needed.
If your PC is going to serve as a hub to many different peripherals, it may be prudent to get a model with a large number of USB ports too (most mid range models and above usually come with 4 to 6 USB ports).
What can an Office Mini PC do?
An office mini PC can in essence, do anything a standard PC can, but here are a few ideas as to what you can use a mini PC for:
- As a regular desk computer for general office work
- As a small, easy-to-set-up computer for video meetings.
- As a controller for an on-site server
- As a temporary PC for when someone’s primary model is undergoing repair/replacement
…and many more!
Our List Of The Best Office Mini PCs
Below is a list of the best office mini PCs that we have gathered from all the models we sell.
1) Beelink T34-M
The Beelink T34-M is a highly lightweight, low-profile, energy-efficient Intel-powered mini PC that makes an excellent economical addition to the home office, an enterprise solution, or digital signage operation.
What we like!
- Low price
- Low-profile; discreet
- Whisper-quiet
What we don’t like…
- Lacks raw power
- VGA output sees limited use in 2021
2) Beelink GK Mini
Tired of how much space your old tower PC is taking up? Want something more energy-efficient in order to save on your electricity bill? In this case, look no further than the Beelink GK Mini, the newest mini-PC from Beelink, creators of popular models like the GT-R, SEi 10, and the GT King.
What we like!
- Affordable
- Energy-efficient
What we don’t like…
- Raw power isn’t all that high
3) DroiX CK1
The CK1 Mini PC (version NVISEN Y-MU01) features a choice of processors with the Intel Whiskey Lake i7 and i5 processors, and RAM and Storage configurations. Both configurations have the Intel UHD Graphics 620 for fast up to 4K processing.
What we like!
- Good number of interfaces
- Good balance of power and performance
What we don’t like…
- USB ports are cramped
- Lid can be difficult to remove; awkward to upgrade
4) DroiX PROTEUS & DroiX Proteus 10S
The DroiX Proteus 10 is a highly versatile Intel-powered mini PC that makes a perfect solution for a myriad of situations, such as a home office PC, a digital signage PC, a remote kiosk PC, and many more.
The DroiX Proteus 10S is a higher-spec variant of the DroiX Proteus 10. It is a great solution for those looking for a steadfast home office PC, enterprise PC solution, digital kiosk, and more.
Want to learn more? Check out our review.
What we like!
- Modern, high-performance CPU
- Antennae boost Wi-Fi range and stability
- Many interfaces
What we don’t like…
- Cramped interfaces
- Antennae can be awkward in very tight spaces; mandatory for wireless connection
Conclusion
Office mini PCs are great for the office. They’re small, affordable and they don’t require too much desk space or electricity to power them on. If you work at home, then it’s time that you invest in an office mini PC for your workplace. One of these powerful machines will make managing emails, browsing the internet etc more efficient than ever before!
What do you think about Office Mini PCs? Let us know in the comments section below!
