For most individuals, a laptop computer is the default possibility when looking for a brand new laptop. It could possibly work from home, it will possibly work on the go, and it has the whole lot constructed proper into it: a display, a keyboard, a trackpad, audio system, a webcam, and the pc itself.
However as handy as that could be, a laptop computer won’t be your best option relying on the way you’re going to make use of it. It’s possible you’ll not want the entire package and kaboodle. Plus, there’s a great little bit of engineering that goes into laptop computer designs — and that provides to the associated fee.
In case your laptop computer goes for use at residence on a regular basis, tethered to your desk with an exterior monitor and keyboard and mouse, and also you’re solely choosing a laptop computer since you don’t wish to spend tons for a cumbersome pre-built desktop PC… then think about a mini PC as an alternative.
Mini PCs supply a number of advantages over laptops which are completely price it when you don’t want the innate portability that laptops supply.
Associated: Why you shouldn’t purchase a laptop computer primarily based purely on its specs
Mini PCs are extra economical

Jared Newman / Foundry
Whereas there’s no assure {that a} mini PC will at all times be cheaper than an equal laptop computer, it’s usually true which you could get a strong mini PC for a cheaper price than you’d pay for a laptop computer with related {hardware}.
That’s as a result of the mini PC can forego the prices of different components that aren’t included: show, keyboard, mouse, audio system, battery, and so on. If you have already got all that stuff, or when you plan to equip your laptop computer with plenty of exterior peripherals, then you definitely’re losing cash with a laptop computer.
For an excessive instance that drives residence the purpose, evaluate the M2 Mac Mini with the M2 MacBook Air. By skipping out on all the opposite “laptop computer” components, the Mac Mini solely prices $599 — considerably lower than the MacBook Air’s $999 price ticket.
Which suggests when you’re out there for a selected vary (e.g., entry-level, mid-tier, high-end), then you definitely’ll probably pay much less for a similar choices when you go together with a mini PC as an alternative of a laptop computer.
Mini PCs have higher efficiency

Mattias Inghe
Mini PCs have a bonus that permits for even better efficiency than you’d get in related laptops: they aren’t constrained by the dimensions limitations that laptops require, so mini PCs have better freedom relating to their inner elements.
The bodily design of a laptop computer determines how air flows by the laptop computer, which impacts cooling. Laptops must stability warmth administration with efficiency. In the meantime, mini PCs can form themselves nonetheless they need — and with simpler cooling, they’ll push their elements additional and eke out extra efficiency.
For instance, the $429 Asus ExpertCenter PN53 mini PC (Amazon hyperlink) runs its Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU quick sufficient to attain 12,812 factors in Cinebench R23’s multi-core take a look at and 1,558 factors in its single-core take a look at.
That places it fairly near the $850 Asus Zenbook 14 OLED laptop computer (Amazon hyperlink), which scores 13,777 and 1,508 in the identical exams, respectively — and that’s with a Ryzen 7 8840HS CPU, which is an improve over the mini PC’s chip.
It’s the same story on the Mac facet of issues. Our associates over at MacWorld noticed the $699 M1 Mac Mini outperform the $999 M1 MacBook Air in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 5 exams. Discuss enormous financial savings!
Mini PCs don’t have batteries

Panos Sakalakis / Unsplash
Ignoring the associated fee and efficiency components that push mini PCs forward of laptops, right here’s one other massive one to contemplate: since mini PCs aren’t moveable, they don’t have any batteries.
Batteries might be problematic, not simply in laptops however in any moveable system. The fixed charging and discharging generates additional warmth that may hurt the opposite inner elements if pushed too arduous, and it additionally wears down on the battery’s lifespan.
Mini PCs have fewer elements to fret about so far as longevity is worried, which suggests they typically last more.
Associated: I switched my $1000 desktop for a $300 mini PC and remorse nothing
Mini PCs are simpler to improve

Jared Newman / Foundry
Most laptops don’t have sufficient inner house for upgrades. Possibly you may swap out a bit right here and there, however usually you’re caught with no matter configuration you purchase.
Mini PCs are a special story. The Beelink SER5 (Amazon hyperlink) could be a mini PC, but it surely’s spacious sufficient for an M.2 slot, a 2.5-inch SATA slot, and two SO-DIMM slots. So, regardless of coming with an M.2 drive, you may improve with an additional SATA drive if you wish to — and you may improve the RAM modules past the preliminary configuration.
The truth is, a fast seek for “mini PC” on Newegg reveals that the majority accessible mini PCs explicitly supply user-accessible RAM and assist a number of storage drives (i.e., each SATA and M.2 slots).
In the meantime, trendy laptops usually include a single M.2 slot with no room for an additional drive, and so they generally include RAM modules which are soldered on. This implies you may solely improve your knowledge drive by changing it and you may’t improve your RAM in any respect.
Additional studying: Killer PC upgrades which are shockingly low cost
Mini PCs have extra ports

Mattias Inghe
As laptops have gotten slimmer and smaller, sure points needed to be sacrificed to get there — like ports and connectivity.
Nowadays, you’d be fortunate to get two USB ports and a headset jack. Bonus factors when you additionally get an HDMI port. Excessive-end laptops particularly have nearly given up on ports, such because the Dell XPS 13 that solely gives two USB-C ports. This implies an excessive reliance on hubs and docks.
Mini PCs play to a special tune. The very first mini PC in my Newegg search contains 4 USB-A ports on one facet, after which two HDMI 2.0 ports, two Ethernet ports, and a headset jack on one other facet.
And that’s not even one of many extra spectacular mini PCs. The Minisforum UM690S has 4 10Gbps USB-A ports, two HDMI ports able to 4K@60Hz, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and a Kensington lock slot — and all of that’s simply on the rear. The entrance moreover has a 10Gbps USB-C port, a USB4 port, and a headset jack.
Mini PCs could be what you want
In brief, mini PCs supply extra bang to your buck than laptops, in a position to wring out extra efficiency from equal {hardware} and costing lower than laptops on the identical tier.
After all, you’re giving up the innate portability of a laptop computer by choosing a mini PC, however that’s positive when you’re at all times at residence anyway. You’ll even have to supply your personal keyboard, mouse, and monitor, however you will get them for affordable and nonetheless pay lower than you’ll for a laptop computer.
In case you’re out there for a brand new system and also you assume your solely selections are laptop computer, desktop, or pill, assume once more. The mini PC could be precisely the factor that serves you greatest for the worth.
Associated: I switched from a $1,000 desktop PC to a $300 mini PC and remorse completely nothing