Don't Call Them "Small", Mini PCs Are Back to Stay

The personal computing landscape is undergoing a silent but profound transformation. Far from being relegated to specific niches, mini PCs are establishing themselves as protagonists in various market segments, riding the wave of miniaturization, energy efficiency and a renewed focus on essentiality. In this dynamic context, the evolution of models such as the Mac mini, powered by proprietary Apple Silicon technology, represents a beacon for the entire sector. According to the IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Small Form Factor PC Forecast, Q1 2025 report, the global mini PC market has recorded an average annual growth of 7.5% over the last three years. An expansion fueled by several key factors. First and foremost, the growing adoption of hybrid work models, which has encouraged the demand for compact and easily transportable solutions (even if they require external peripherals). Second, the continued evolution of low-power processors, such as Apple’s M-series and the latest generations of mobile processors from Intel and AMD, has made it possible to pack significant processing power into smaller volumes. The Mac mini, in particular, has played a key role in this trend. The move to the ARM architecture with the M-series chips has not only provided a significant performance leap over previous Intel-based models, but has also redefined the standards for energy efficiency and quietness.

In 2024, Apple successfully completed the transition to ARM architecture with its M-series chips, which offer an excellent balance between performance, power consumption and versatility. The Mac Mini M4, with a starting price of €729, made the Apple ecosystem accessible, revolutionizing the Mini PC market. Even the basic 256 GB configuration, sufficient for basic use, can also provide great satisfaction for professional activities. The Mac Mini M4 is in fact a powerful machine for operations such as graphic and video editing (even 4K), with good SSD speed. Many connectivity options and the possibility of attaching an external physical support to overcome Apple's storage limits.

The Geekom Mini IT13 is a compact mini PC equipped with a powerful Intel Core i9-13900H processor, usually found in high-end laptops. Despite its small size and a simple but solid design, the dissipation system limits the maximum performance of the processor. It even comes with a VESA mount for discreet installation behind a monitor. It remains an interesting option at 749 euros for its power in such a small format, in addition to the possibility of increasing the RAM to 64 GB in total. There is even an additional slot for the SSD. Its full potential is held back by the cooling and the absence of an NPU. In times when AI is everywhere, buying a computer today that cannot perform GenAI tasks locally is not a huge sin but something to think about.

The Dell OptiFlex MicroPlus 7020 (€602) is a compact and efficient solution, with the mid-range option being an Intel Core i5 14500 processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD. Connectivity includes Gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, as well as USB-A and USB-C ports for greater flexibility. Designed for energy efficiency and with a good cooling system, it supports expansion up to 64GB of RAM and the addition of up to a 2TB M.2 SSD for greater longevity. Integrated graphics drive up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz, making it a practical and long-lasting solution for small businesses. On the back, it has three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, for up to three 4K monitors at 60Hz, a key feature for multitasking.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (606 euros) is designed to smoothly handle everyday digital activities: email, documents, web browsing and multimedia playback. In the configuration with an Intel i5 13420H processor, 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD disk, it offers fast performance and ample storage space. The integrated graphics card is an Intel UHD Graphics 630, which guarantees good video and content viewing, although it is not suitable for professional graphics software or CAD that require more 3D power. In short, an efficient and discreet solution for those looking for a high-performance computer for everyday use without taking up too much space.