Mini PC Advice Please

vegemite2008 on 04/04/2025 - 17:42

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a mini pc for study purposes etc.

Word, watching youtube, checking emails.

My concern is that a mini pc from amazon might come preinstalled with malware. I know it is the same concern with pc's in general.

Would a factory reset and a deep scan with an Internet security program be able to detect any malware etc?

Also, would 16gb RAM on a mini pc be the same as on a normal pc when it comes to faster speed etc?

I have experience with normal pc's but not mini pcs.

How about heat?

My budget is around $350.

Many thanks in advance.

Computing Computer Mini PC

Comments

  • jv on 04/04/2025 - 17:54
    +5

    might come preinstalled with malware

    Just reinstall Windows when you get it…

    #Threadclosed

    • vegemite2008 on 04/04/2025 - 17:57

      That's what I was thinking.

      Would that be enough?

      ThreadNOTclosed :-)

      • jv on 04/04/2025 - 18:07

        Would that be enough?

        Yes, that will delete everthing on the disk.

      • BoltThrower on 04/04/2025 - 18:07
        +7

        That's fine most of the time. Unfortunately BIOS malware exists. Read some forums on the model you're planning on buying and see if there's any occurrences of hardware-level viruses.
        Have you considered getting a refurbished Dell Optiplex for half your budget?

        • GordonD on 04/04/2025 - 20:49

          Who needs to worry about BIOS malware.

          ASRock BIOSs are bad enough even without any malware in them.

          HardWired has 120 documented cases of 9800X3Ds dying prematurely, most of them on ASRock motherboards due to BIOS issues. And I've had a serious of problems with my expensive ASRock 850 chipset ITX motherboard BIOS, including that instant flash doesn't actually work, which I discovered when I tried to upgrade to the most recent BIOS when EXPO didn't work. How the heck could they have done any testing and not discovered that the feature in the BIOS to upgrade to the next/fixed release doesn't work.

          • BoltThrower on 04/04/2025 - 21:12

            @GordonD: Damn, that sucks. I had an early version of the Samsung Galaxy S9 which had the "Sudden death bug". Samsung charged me $400 to fix it due to "water damage"

  • jv on 04/04/2025 - 17:56
    +3

    Also, would 16gb RAM on a mini pc be the same as on a normal pc

    😲

    It will still be 16Gb RAM

    • vegemite2008 on 04/04/2025 - 18:05

      Ok, I was thinking that the performance would be less on a tiny tiny mini pc (compared to a PC) even though it is 16gb.

      • jv on 04/04/2025 - 18:08

        performance would be less on a tiny tiny mini pc

        that would be due to the CPU and motherboard, not the memory.

      • FoxJump on 04/04/2025 - 18:25
        +1

        yes it would be slower but you may not notice
        a pc might have 4 sticks of 4gb 6000mt ram
        vs a mini pc with two sticks of 8gb at 5600mt

        • jv on 04/04/2025 - 20:18

          That would be because of differences with the motherboard.

  • spackbace on 04/04/2025 - 18:07
    +8

    Word, watching youtube, checking emails.

    Jees just get any of the ~$200 used ones posted on here

    These guys are recommended

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/194418579363

    • jv on 04/04/2025 - 18:15
      +4

      I've always had good experiences with Australian Computer Traders.
      If there's been a problem with what I received, it's always been resolved quickly.

      • spackbace on 04/04/2025 - 18:16

        Same, had one of them have a power supply issue after about 8 months. Shipped it back and they shipped back a fixed unit, no questions

      • Zuelly on 04/04/2025 - 19:04
        +2

        JV and good experience… two things that never thought i’d hear together…

        • jv on 04/04/2025 - 20:16

          Why?

    • spackbace on 04/04/2025 - 18:51
      +1

      Side note, that one I linked to is the last one left, and only $210.80 with code REFRB15 ($205.84 with eBay Plus)

  • Mechz on 04/04/2025 - 20:52

    Definitely just get a refurb Lenovo mini from ebay.

  • shadyscab on 04/04/2025 - 22:17
    +1

    Chinese n100/n150 mini pc from AliExpress can be had for under $200, plenty capable daily driver for simple shit, uses bugger all power.

    Otherwise check out marketplace for a usff Lenovo, dell or hp (in that order)

    Some of the Lenovos can take a little gpu - https://n3rdware.com/using-gpu-your-lenovo-thinkcentre-or-th…

  • oscargamer on 05/04/2025 - 07:39

    I bought this one from the manufacturer

    Amazing tiny pc

    No malware

    https://www.amazon.com.au/GMKtec-Computer-Business-Nucbox-G5…

    • Eduardo on 05/04/2025 - 14:30

      Bought same from Amazon. Works very well

  • BigBirdy on 05/04/2025 - 10:22
    +1

    Minipcs are basically a small box version of a laptop without screen or battery, ie they use smaller, lower power consuming components typically designed for laptops. Performance, like with all computer types, is based on those components.

    As for malware, there was an instance of one supplier coming with a malware infected Chrome browser. That sh*t is rare, but if you’re concerned, then reinstall Windows on any computer you buy, regardless of minipc, laptop, desktop, new, used or refurbished. But backup your drivers first, in case you need them. I’ve got a Trigkey minipc, very happy, no issues.

  • TurnipHead on 05/04/2025 - 17:05

    Bar the listed CPU, RAM and SSD specs is there anything to look out for with tiny PCs?
    I assume USB 4 support is unlikely but Wifi 6 support would be standard?
    What sort of HDDs do they run (presumably NVMEs)? I assume they'd have an additional slot for expansion (and a spare RAM slot too)?

    The refurb Lenovo/Dell/HP for ~$250 look interesting…

    • BigBirdy on 05/04/2025 - 18:15

      Minipcs are as different as desktops or laptops. Mostly they use M.2 drives, some are SATA (typically cheaper), some NVME, some also take a 2.5" SSD, some have a second M.2 interface (not necessarily the same length), Wifi 6 is common, many have USB-C, some built-in speaker, some headset plug.

      What to look for?
      Look for what you need to suit your budget. As you've referred to, USB ports (type & qty), drive interfaces (type & qty), drives, CPU, RAM, Wifi, BT, power requirement & source, video interface, mounting (VESA) if required. And check reviews for any issues, noise, etc.

      • TurnipHead on 06/04/2025 - 10:52
        +1

        Sounds like i need to some research then, thanks!

  • gizmomelb on 08/05/2025 - 15:34

    I've been using an n100 with 12GB RAM for well almost 2 YEARS now as my daily email, youtube (1440p), web browsing and usenet/torrenting pc. the only time there's a slowdown is when a 30+GB file is PAR2 parity checked and then unpacked. Slowdown as in it doesn't interrupt youtube video playback but slowdown that it is noticeable if I'm moving files from the onboard NVME to the NAS at the same time. The mini pc is almost silent at less than 1m away from my head - sitting on top of my gaming desktop, which is on my desk next to me (only gets switched on now for gaming). Cost me $180 AUD from aliexpress and I did do a full format and Windows 11 (actually tiny 11 - which is a severely cut down version of windows as I didn't want to include MS Edge browser, or printer handling etc.) installation.

  • vegemite2008 on 08/05/2025 - 17:33

    I just purchased the following.

    $369 - seems to have good reviews and specs. Time will tell :-)

    Mini PC, AMD Ryzen7 5700U(Up to 4.3GHz) TRIGKEY Mini Desktop Computer, 16G DDR4 500G SSD, Mini desktops Support DP/HDMI/Type-C/Triple-Screen 4K Display/ WiFi6/ BT5.2/ 1000M LAN

    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CGZZVG3V?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_f…

    • BigBirdy on 08/05/2025 - 17:56
      +1

      Good choice. I bought the same Trigkey S5, but with Ryzen7 5800H, a year ago. It's been a good machine.

      • vegemite2008 on 08/05/2025 - 20:36

        Thanks.

        Did it come with win 11?

      • Tater on 08/05/2025 - 21:38

        I bought this same one in October 2023, it's been solid so far. The only neg (if you can call it that) is there's no BIOS updates or anything since it was released, so missing out on any improvements via that path.
        I know Boswel and Beelink have provided updates for various PCs over time. Beelink support staff are very active in their subreddit as well

        • BigBirdy on 08/05/2025 - 21:55

          I haven’t looked into bios updates. There’s a Beelink that looks the same as the S5, Ser5? from memory … possibly has a compatible bios, but may be risky to try.

          • Tater on 08/05/2025 - 22:52

            @BigBirdy: Yeah I'm not going there either, just in case

        • gizmomelb on 09/05/2025 - 13:21

          just as an aside.. not every motherboard gets or needs bios updates. BIOS updates are more frequent on AMD CPU systems as they add the updated microcode and support for more RAM sticks - neither of which are applicable to intel mini PCs as they frequently have the RAM soldered to the mothterboard and cannot be upgraded, and if they can - well the chipset only supports one RAM stick anyway. So imo this seems to be a worry over an issue that isn't there.

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