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As such, they can be a fantastic option for budget-conscious students.
But what are the pros and cons of using a mini PC?
Some mini PCs are powerful enough to run creative programs.
Which mini PCs are best for students?
Is a mini PC better than a laptop?
What accessories do you’re gonna wanna purchase with them?
Mini PCs come in different shapes, sizes, and configurations. You can find some that cost a lot less than laptops and desktops.
And what other things do you oughta keep in mind with mini PCs?
I’ve answered all of this and more.
Let’s dive in.
We’ve tested quite a few Geekom mini PCs and have found this company produces really good products.
Are mini PCs good for students?
Let’s start by answering some broader questions about mini PCs.
Is a mini PC worth buying?
Overall, mini PCs can be excellent littleWindows 11devices that can cost less than full-blown desktops and laptops.
They don’t take up as much room, either.
As long as you go with a trustworthy brand, these small computers can be very powerful and handy.
Laptops vs mini PCs: Which is a better choice for students?
This really depends on your specific scenario.
and then continue to access those files when you get back to your mini PC at home.
This was especially true in scenarios where I didn’t want to intrude on a roommate’s area.
That’s where mini PCs can be especially handy, since they’re so compact.
They’re also far more affordable options for people who are attending school remotely via online classes.
This, in turn, provides more space than a full desktop computer or a laptop might afford.
If, however, you want the freedom to work anywhere, a laptop might serve you better.
you might find some relatively powerful mini PCs that cost a decent deal less than similar laptops or desktops.
During testing, I found that both of them had come with malware installed.
As such, you’ll want to stick with trusted mini PCs companies likeASUS,Lenovo, andGeekom.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 add to the mini PC’s convenient connectivity.
This latest unit features a 13th Gen Core i5-1340P processor with an Iris Xe graphics card.
In all, it offers mid-grade processing power for easy multitasking between programs.
It comes with Windows 11 Home, an Intel Core i5-13400, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
Gaming handhelds can also be a good choice for students.
Plus, there are a good number of ports for connecting various accessories or other connections.
There are also several ports, which make it easy to connect the right kind of monitor or accessory.
The relatively large 8.8-inch display is easier to see than the typical 7-inch displays on most other gaming handhelds.
You’ll need to purchase essential mini PC accessories in order to use your new device.
This configuration features an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
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Which mini PC is best for students?
This really depends on what kind of work you need the mini PC to do.
The ASUS ROG NUC 970 is a very powerful gaming mini PC with an RTX 4070 GPU inside of it.
Some mini PC companies you’ve got the option to trust are Lenovo, ASUS, or Geekom.
It’s rather inexpensive, but still comes with useful processors and storage capacities in various configuration options.
Choose one with mid-grade to high-end processors, and you’ll be set.
I was able to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01, but it was a pretty choppy experience.
It’s expensive, but it has a small form factor compared to gaming desktops and laptops.
Can a gaming handheld be used for school?
Yes, depending on the situation.
These devices come with Windows 11 installed on them and can run any program a laptop can.
Moreover, they tend to have higher graphical abilities than most mini PCs.
The 8.8-inch display is larger and easier to view than the Ally’s 7-inch display.
What is the disadvantage of a mini PC?
While some specialty mini PCs can have high-end specs, the majority of Mini PCs aren’t super powerful.
They usually cost less than similarly configured laptops and PCs, but might not offer as many ports.
But, you’ll have to purchase all of these accessories in addition to your mini PC.
Are mini PCs bad for gaming?
That depends on the configuration.
These mini PCs can easily handle modern gaming, but they can be rather expensive.
What are the best gaming mini PCs?
Right now, arguably, the best gaming mini PC is the ASUS ROG NUC 970.
It features an AI-boosted Intel Core Ultra 9-185H processor alongside a very powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card.
To handle faster game loading and large libraries, it also comes with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Can you connect a mini PC to a laptop?
It depends on what you mean by this.
Is a mini PC as good as a normal PC, desktop, or laptop?
Yes, but this depends on the computer configurations being compared.
Some mini PCs are just a step up from a Chromebook.
A mini PC can be a great alternative to a laptop or desktop, depending on your scholarly needs.
Basically, consider your school situation and then decide if a mini PC fits within your scenario.
