In order for you a compact pc, then the Mac mini is among the finest choices that yow will discover. For a Mac, it’s totally, very well-priced, and comes with some tremendous highly effective chip choices, together with a really small desk footprint. However what for those who don’t need the wonderful aluminum slab, what if you wish to store round and see if yow will discover something higher?
We’ve had a play with a number of different choices to see what sort of competitors the Mac mini is up in opposition to. We’ve acquired a compact, Intel gaming monster that munches something that will get shut, an AMD-powered mini PC that is acquired a knob on the entrance, and somewhat field operating an unconventional working system.
How do these machines stack up in opposition to the Mac mini, and must you go for one thing somewhat completely different that may not be powered by macOS? Or must you persist with considered one of Apple’s finest Macs, and neglect that there have been ever another micro PCs in any respect?
Mini PCs are a few of the coolest units on the market and I’ve examined a few of the finest to search out out which ones are price your time. These Mac mini opponents have all been on my check bench, and I’ve labored with Gerald, Editor-in-Chief and Mac mini professional to guarantee that they seem to be a good guess.
Mac mini
Earlier than we have a look at the contenders, we must always most likely remind ourselves of what the Mac mini has to supply in addition to, you realize. Being a Mac. There’s the apparent newest model of macOS on board, with all of the bells and whistles that include it, powered by your alternative of M2 or M2 Professional chip. That latter one is fairly highly effective, however you’ll must pay a hefty chunk to get it.
In actual fact, whereas the bottom mannequin begins at an amazing worth of $599, when you begin popping upgrades on, you’ll quickly see that worth burgeon past affordable affordability. It’s by no means an costly machine, nevertheless it does transfer past low-cost fairly rapidly. RAM upgrades are round $200 for each further step you are taking, and bigger SSDs are much more. In order for you the M2 Professional choice that we talked about earlier than you then’ll be paying north of a grand – which is some huge cash.
The bottom mannequin, nevertheless, if taken as a standalone choice, stays a superb funding for those who’re searching for a strong desktop companion. Its numbers are even tremendous spectacular:
| Cinebench | GeekBench |
| Multi-core: 8761 | CPU multi-core: 9970 |
| Single-core: 1621 | CPU Single-core: 2621 |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | GPU: 26986 |
These stack up nicely in opposition to much more costly {hardware} – particularly when you think about that we benchmarked the bottom mannequin with M2 and 8GB RAM. So we have jogged our reminiscences now – let’s examine the competitors.
AceMagician AMR5
This weird-looking little obelisk is the AceMagician AMR5, and it is a very attention-grabbing little pc. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600U, a fairly snazzy little processor. It’s what’s referred to as an APU, or an AMD Accelerated Processing Unit – this has a CPU and graphics processor multi function little chip, that means {that a} highly effective pc could be made in a a lot smaller bundle. In actual fact, that makes it extra related than anything on this listing to Apple Silicon, which even have each CPU cores and GPU cores in a single chip.
Clearly, the AMR5 is smaller than a Mac mini, with its upright stance and tiny footprint. It’s additionally a reasonably potent pc, packing in that AMD APU, in addition to a 512GB SSD, and 16GB of RAM. Even higher is that it’s tremendous simple to improve, with a magnetically hooked up aspect panel that permits you to entry an additional PCIE drive slot in addition to the reminiscence modules. For one thing so small, it’s very spectacular.
One in every of my favourite options of the AMR5 is the facility button – a knob that turns round, clicking into place in three intervals.
One in every of my favourite options of the AMR5 is the facility button – a knob that turns round, clicking into place in three intervals. These intervals allow you to select an influence mode, from Eco, Auto, and Efficiency. Eco makes positive that the AMR5 is operating as effectively as attainable in order that it isn’t utilizing as a lot energy. Wish to play some video games? Flip the knob to the efficiency setting and revel in all of the juice you’ll have to play some video games.
Don’t count on these video games to run such as you’re utilizing a custom-built gaming PC, or like a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X, and also you’ll discover the expertise fully acceptable. Framerates are good for those who crank down the small print, and for such a tiny little field, it is spectacular the graphics it will probably pump out.
| Cinebench | GeekBench | 3DMark (Time Spy) |
| Multi-core: 6875 | CPU multi-core: 6127 | Whole: 1270 |
| Single-core: 1257 | CPU Single-core: 1787 | Graphics: 1122 |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | GPU: 13947 | CPU: 5049 |
We should always point out that for the Home windows machines, we’ve used 3dMark as nicely to get an thought of the graphics efficiency of the machines. It additionally permits you to evaluate them with one another. The AMR5 right here places up some robust numbers, and whereas they may not be fairly pretty much as good as these on the Mac Mini, they’re loads to get some gentle gaming achieved.
It runs on Home windows 11, which does have some enhancements over earlier variations of the OS. When you’re searching for MacOS, nevertheless, it’s not going to scratch that Apple-shaped itch, however for these prepared to tinker somewhat it is tremendous simple to get Linux put in if you wish to attempt one thing somewhat completely different.
How a lot does this potent little bundle price? $499. That’s a good sum lower than the Mac mini, and it comes with technically extra specs than the bottom mannequin Mac – double the RAM, and double the SSD storage.
All in all, the AMR5 is a beautiful little gaming mini PC that boasts plenty of energy, a funky-looking design (replete with RGB lighting for players), and an amazing worth.
Intel NUC 12 Fanatic
This monster is for these wanting on the extra readily geared up Mac mini. An Intel NUC, or ‘Subsequent Unit of Computing’, is what Intel makes use of to point out off all of its most interesting {hardware}. That might be becoming an excellent environment friendly PC in a tiny kind issue, or an absolute monster of a gaming PC in a smaller, desk-friendly footprint. This one is especially potent and comes loaded with some critical {hardware}.
The core of the NUC 12 Fanatic that we have now right here incorporates an Intel i7-12700H, with 14 cores, 20 threads, and a brand new Intel Arc A770M Graphics card inside it. It additionally has all the pieces else you may want from a mini PC, together with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. It’s constructed from the bottom up for one factor, and the glowing cranium on the aspect offers you a good suggestion of what that’s – gaming.
It’s constructed from the bottom up for one factor, and the glowing cranium on the aspect offers you a good suggestion of what that’s – gaming.
It’s additionally fairly upgradeable – you may pop new RAM modules in there with the intention to do extra multitasking and you may add extra M.2 storage drives to essentially up the capability of your NUC. This, as with a few of the different choices on the listing, is one thing that the Mac mini completely can not do. Upgradeability merely isn’t one thing that fashionable Macs are able to.
While you purchase your NUC, it curiously doesn’t include an OS, and it’s a must to select one for your self. Alas, one of many choices isn’t MacOS, however you may go for any of the Home windows choices or a Linux system. For players, nevertheless, Home windows would be the strategy to go.
It’s not low-cost. This one prices $1899 as a substitute of the $1400 of the M2 Professional Mac mini, however for that cash, you get one thing that is the identical dimension however that may smash by means of a few of the newest video games with ease. No, it’s not going to match a equally priced {custom} gaming PC, however it’s going to get remarkably shut. We performed some video games, and acquired these numbers:
We additionally ran some benchmarks to get an thought of the efficiency of the machine, in comparison with the Mac mini:
| Cinebench | GeekBench | 3DMark (Time Spy) |
| Multi-core: 16376 | CPU multi-core: 11299 | Whole: 11227 |
| Single-core: 1758 | CPU Single-core: 2318 | Graphics: 10985 |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | GPU: 88823 | CPU: 12830 |
These are the best numbers you’ll discover on the listing, and it implies that the Intel will buzz by means of something you throw at it with ease.
This PC proves that small kind issue doesn’t imply low-cost, or pokey – as a substitute displaying that for those who spend the cash on one thing somewhat extra spectacular, you get one thing that may blow you away. For players, that is going to be your finest guess.
Equally, this machine isn’t only for players. All that processing and graphics grunt makes it excellent for these searching for a wickedly highly effective small kind issue desktop for workloads like video enhancing, picture enhancing, or programming – that places it somewhat additional into the ballpark of the Mac mini. It’s an attention-grabbing various for positive, and one that ought to have your consideration. It does stretch the definition of mini PC, nevertheless – this factor is massive. Greater than a Mac Mini, that’s for positive.
Acer ChromeBox
This Mini PC is a ChromeBox, so referred to as as a result of it doesn’t run Home windows or MacOS – it runs Chrome OS. ChromeOS is Google’s light-weight working system that started off as successfully a devoted internet browser that you possibly can use on low-power machines that remained tremendous speedy and responsive. Since then issues have moved right into a Chromium-based, Linux-esque desktop atmosphere that customers of each Home windows and MacOS can rapidly turn out to be accustomed to.
The ChromeBox in query is the Acer CX14, and it’s really one of many extra highly effective choices that comes with ChomeOS on board. Historically, you’d discover it on laptops or ‘Chromebooks’, however ChromeBoxes enable for extra highly effective {hardware} with out the necessity to add a display and keyboard.
The Acer has an Intel Core i5 10210U processor, much more highly effective than the traditional Celeron choices, and paired with 8GB of RAM it’s going to smash its means by means of ChromeOS. Throughout my time with the ChromeBox, I observed no slowdown in any respect even when operating a number of Chrome tabs. Is the facility overkill for a low-power working system like ChromeOS?
The little field is able to enjoying Android video games with out challenge, and opening loads of Chrome tabs.
Maybe barely, nevertheless it implies that the little field is able to enjoying Android video games with out challenge, opening loads of Chrome tabs, and even doing another barely heavier workloads.
When you’re searching for one thing that is somewhat cheaper than this one for a youthful child, then one thing just like the ChromeBox with a Celeron processor can be excellent. For a teen that wants one thing to do greater than just a bit work on, nevertheless, or for a household pc, that is excellent.
In actual fact, the concept that this pc must be for youths appears baked in from the beginning. Setting the pc up you’ll spot a youngsters’ setup mode with the intention to determine on safety and security settings to guarantee that it is protected for youths to make use of. It’s going to even play the Android model of PubG, or Minecraft – and do it fairly nicely too. Getting homework achieved on the machine might be no drawback in any respect both except they must be doing complicated video rendering duties. Which is unlikely.
It comes within the field with a full-size keyboard and mouse in order that it’s able to go, and all you’ll have to hook up is a monitor – one thing not one of the different entries on this listing characteristic. Sadly, there’s no strategy to run benchmarks right here, so we will’t get an thought of the numbers, however the ChromeBox greater than makes up for it with the efficiency. It’s not the most affordable on the listing, nevertheless it’s an excellent choice for youths and even the aged.
Geekom IT11
The Geekom IT11 is tiny – however very well-built, and really highly effective. It’s smaller than just about each different PC on this listing, and but nonetheless has a superb collection of outputs and inputs on the again. It’s additionally, for the value, very nicely appointed.
The IT11 is provided with an i7-11390H processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It’s round $899 with out one of many reductions you’ll generally discover for it, making it somewhat dearer than the Mac mini. For the value, it’s a lot smaller, nevertheless, and there’s loads of energy on board. You may even improve the M.2 SSD and the RAM, and add in a 2.5 exhausting drive so as to add extra storage, which is at all times a bonus.
| Cinebench | GeekBench | 3DMark (Time Spy) |
| Multi-core: 5097 | CPU multi-core: 5537 | Whole: 1450 |
| Single-core: 1401 | CPU Single-core: 1937 | Graphics: 1296 |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | GPU: 10783 | CPU: 4497 |
Single-core efficiency is a specific power right here, the place it retains up with many of the competitors. For on a regular basis computing and light-weight workloads, this little machine goes to be exemplary.
The really large factor right here is the dimensions – it is rather small, even when in comparison with the opposite mini PCs on the listing. When you’ve acquired a tiny desk, then this may simply be the PC for you.
AceMagician CK10
One other from AceMagician, this time the CK10. The CK10 is a extra professional-looking machine, with a extra workload-oriented setup. Whereas its chassis isn’t fairly as thrilling because the AMR5, it is nonetheless a properly formed little field, with a cool sample on the highest that the fan blows chilly air on the Intel i7-10810U inside. That’s a top-shelf laptop computer processor, with its personal Intel graphics on board.
Contained in the comparatively non-descript enclosure, you’ll discover extra of the identical sort of internals because the AMR5. There’s 16GB RAM inside, together with a 512GB SSD. As with the AMR5, you may add one other SSD, or plug in a SATA drive as much as 2TB to present it loads of cupboard space. Sadly, the RAM is soldered onto the board so no upgrading there – very like the Mac mini in query.
Contained in the comparatively non-descript enclosure, you’ll discover extra of the identical sort of internals because the AMR5.
As a extra conventionally formed mini PC, CK10 could be hooked up to the again of a monitor with a Vesa mount, with the intention to hold it hidden away from view, and make your desk look somewhat tidier. It even comes with a bracket within the field, so that you don’t have to purchase one individually. Very good.
Once more, just like the AMR5, the CK10 runs Home windows 11, so that you’re not going to get macOS. You may after all substitute it with Linux for those who’re searching for one thing to tinker with somewhat extra, in order that might be fairly enjoyable. In order for you it to be dependable, nevertheless, just be sure you persist with Home windows 11 Professional.
This machine is usually going for use for gentle workloads, so we’ve appeared somewhat at the way it compares to the Mac mini in that regard.
| Cinebench | GeekBench | 3DMark (Time Spy) |
| Multi-core: 3673 | CPU multi-core: 3673 | Whole: 421 |
| Single-core: 1048 | CPU Single-core: 1048 | Graphics: 366 |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | GPU: 4698 | CPU: 3085 |
As we will see, the little machine is just not fairly as highly effective because the Mac mini, nevertheless it nonetheless holds up for the value.
It additionally prices lower than the Mac mini, at $499 from the AceMagician web site. For that, you get extra RAM, an Intel chip, and a Vesa mount, and whereas numbers don’t imply all the pieces, it’s nonetheless a compelling choice to have to select from. This might be the right little film or music server to tuck away behind a shelf for instance.
Closing Ideas
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There are some nice choices on the market that take the battle to the Mac mini, however the littlest Mac places up an unimaginable protection. That M2 chip is potent, and for the value is an excellently highly effective choice.
In fact, if you would like one thing with Home windows on, then there are some nice choices. Our favourite is the AMR5 from AceMagic when it comes to worth to efficiency, and its enjoyable kind issue helps as nicely.
On the lookout for one thing tremendous highly effective to go up in opposition to the Mac Mini with M2 Professional? Then the Intel NUC Fanatic goes to be an epic choice. It’s tremendous highly effective and smashes its means by means of a great deal of completely different workloads and duties. It does price heaps although. As in heaps.
Lastly, the ChromeBox proves that there are alternatives past the Home windows and macOS ecosystems. It’s not fairly as highly effective because the Mac mini, however the ChromeOS on board implies that might be slick and useable for a very long time and for a great deal of completely different generations of customers.
Ultimately, for those who’re searching for a small kind issue machine with macOS on it, you then’re principally caught with the Mac mini. When you’re seeking to department out, nevertheless, there are another implausible choices.
