Mini-PCs (sometimes called "small form factor PCS") are relatively small PCs that these days can be competing alternatives to full-size desktop PCs.
Mini-PCs can cost much less than similarly equipped laptops and offer even more power. While they tend not to be as powerful as desktop PCs for digital art they are more than sufficient.
These Mini-PCs typically use laptop component to deliver a compact and low-power-draw experience.
The prices below are from Sept 2024 and only include the cost for a Mini-PC
Brad Colbow - The Cheapest Drawing Tablet + PC Setup You Can Buy (That Doesn't Suck) 2024/08/30
Beelink S12 Pro ($160)
Brad Colbow - Best Budget PC + Drawing Tablet Combo - 2024/09/1
Minisforum UM690S ($410)
The MinisForum Neptune HX99G $1500
sometimes on sale for $1000
Tech tablets - review of Minisforum HX99G - 2023/03/03
As my primary desktop for "work" and for creating videos and doing art, I use a Minisforum Neptune HX99G that I bought in sale for $1,000 (normally is $1500).
These photos are from Minisforum. This is exactly how mine looks with one exception. Instead of 2 DisplayPort ports on the back, mine has two USB4 ports.
This PC is available in several configurations. Below is the configuration of the one I bought.
Model: HX99G
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
8 Cores/16 Threads
RAM: 64GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6600M
Back I/O:
2x HDMI ports
2x USB4 ports
Dome versions of the HX99G have 2x DisplayPort ports instead of USB4
3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports
1x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A port
RJ45 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port
Front I/O:
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C port
1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port
one USB4 port is connected to a 43" 4K monitor via thunderbolt 3 cable
one USB4 port is has an 2 foot UseBean USB-C Extension cable (amazon) that runs from the back to the front. This makes it very easy for me to try out different pen displays.
one of the USBA ports on the back leads to 8 port USB hub placed near . This makes it easy for me to try different tablets and other devices
One of the HDMI ports is connected to a 32" monitor
I have it connected to a Rode RODECaster Duo for audio recording
I typically have it connnected to 3 displays simultaneously (2 monitors, and 1 pen display).
Although it can handle 4 separate displays, I've only used it that way very rarely.
This is my every day “work” PC. All my major tasks are performed on this PC. These tasks include:
Creating my YouTube videos. This involves recording audio. Writing scripts. Creating PowerPoint slides. And audio and video editing.
Writing documents that I published my website
Creating artwork - mostly with clip studio paint and Krita
Photoediting - with Photoshop and Affinity Photo
Writing code using Visual Studio
I have not tried gaming on this PC.
VERY GOOD.
In the year I've been using it, there have been 2 times it froze up and required me to restart.
Occasionally when I am watching a YouTube video and I am doing something it can cause some stuttering for about 2 seconds and then goes back to normal. I don't know what the cause is, and it happens only about once a month.
For my needs has been excellent. I don't honestly feel like it has restricted me in any way to switch from a full desktop to this minipc.
Essentially silent. You would have to put your ear right next to the device to hear a slight hum.
Every now and then when I am exporting a video I might hear the fans ramp up loudly. But otherwise, I consider this mini-pc completely silent.
There were several reasons
I was looking for something quiet - silent if I can get it.
I wanted something more portable. I like rearranging my workspace a lot. The idea was to place a mini-pc on a desk that has casters. I keep the minipc on my desk and this lets me essentially roll the entire desk that carries my entire workspace into different places in my house.
I had tried a Microsoft Surface Pro 8 to serve the role of a Mini-PC. This worked overall well, however:
The Surface Pro - for no clear reason- would randomly start aggressively spinning its fans loudly.
The Surface Pro didn't support as many connected displays as I wanted.
The performance was OK but I felt it struggled when editing videos
Only a few I/O options - even when used with the Microsoft Surface Dock
I am looking forward to the possibility of ARM processors in mini-pcs. This might give me even more power with even less power consumption and fan noise.
I wish the stuttering I mentioned earlier did not happen. It's a minor irritation and only sometimes occurs for a few seconds, but it does mar an otherwise excellent experience.
