One computer or a mini computer.

The demand from "lightweight" computers

With the price of PC hardware falling, the need for Home Office has increased, and more families are having the need to buy a second, low-cost computer. So, with a large vision, home appearance and price less than 3000 yuan in one computer has become a lot of users in the eyes of the second PC quality choice. Don't rush, because from the configuration and price will be a new generation of mini PCs have been compared to the same computer wire. For example, we can buy a mini PC that is similar to one computer with a 1/2~3/5 price. Of course, we can not only look at the price and configuration to buy, should be comprehensive consideration of extensibility, later hardware upgrades and aesthetics, the following small series from several aspects to detail the difference between the next one computer and the Mini PC.

Configure Price

One computer and the Mini PC are the most widely used baytrail processors, today, the vast majority of the 3000-yuan computer is armed with the BAYTRAIL-M architecture Celeron J1900 processor, and standard 4GB memory and 500GB hard drive combination, The screen section is mostly 19.5 inches (1600x900 pixels).

Mini PC, also using Celeron J1900 processor, 4GB memory and 500GB hard drive combination of products mostly within 1500 yuan, such as "Computer enthusiasts" in 2015 10 phase evaluation of Shenzhou MINIPC is only 1299 yuan (Figure 3). In addition, the current 19.5-inch display price is more than 600 yuan (Figure 4), the total cost of the Mini pc+ display can easily be controlled to less than 2000 yuan.

Extensibility

One large computer, mini PC lightweight Tiny, which gives a lot of users an illusion: the integration of the computer is certainly better than the Mini PC, the truth is it?

To Lenovo C260 Computer as an example, this 19.5-inch product provides 2 USB2.0 interface, 1 USB3.0 interface, RJ45 network cable interface and card reader, the built-in CD-ROM is limited to more than 3000 yuan of the high distribution version. Thankfully, the mini PC's interface is no less than an all-in-one computer, taking the Intel model Dn2820fykh NUC As an example, this mini PC with a slap size has 1 more HDMI interfaces and infrared receiver modules than Lenovo C260. And also between the square inch into the 4GB memory and 2.5-inch 500GB mechanical hard drive. In fact, the intel® Dn2820fykh is also a poor scalability, more mini PCs can add additional 1 VGA connector, and on the motherboard to reserve mSATA or m.2 slots, long can install 2 hard drives!

Hardware upgrades

When computer performance is not enough, many users can think of upgrades. Unfortunately, one computer because of the use of a very solid screen stent, so the difficulty is not low, often need to remove the stent, and then open the entire back of the shell to see the motherboard. The problem is that the Baytrail platform processor is soldered directly to the motherboard, and almost 100% of the All-in-one computer is equipped with only one memory slot and one hard drive interface. In other words, there is only memory or hard disk that we can "do" to upgrade the whole computer.

As mentioned earlier, the Mini PC in the scalability and even beyond the integration of computers, and this kind of product disassembly is extremely difficult, you can easily replace the memory hard drive upgrades.

In fact, the biggest disadvantage of one computer is that there is no HDMI interface (more high-end computer will be equipped with the HDMI Out/in interface), its display can only be used for their own use, once the hardware is damaged or insufficient performance can only be eliminated. and mini PC can with any display "marriage", as long as the monitor behind the VESA wall hanging interface, it usually can hide behind the monitor, from the visual also play "one computer"

In addition, the display field now has a 19.53-inch category, the resolution reached the 1080P level, such as AOC's M2060SWD, its price is only 599 yuan, but also has a 178-degree view, the best partner for the mini PC. On the other hand, the compact design of a mini PC can make it easy to "shift your position" and play a HTPC role when connected to the living room TV.

　Summary

The only advantage of the low price computer in the competition with the Mini PC is the integrated design and the more concise appearance, regardless of the connection of any cable, without difficulty, and the built-in speaker. However, the mini PC and display device connection is not difficult, 100 yuan to buy a notebook speaker voice performance is enough seconds to kill a computer built-in speaker. Therefore, the station in the price and the subsequent upgrade perspective, the author is more recommended home users choose a mini PC as a low-cost one of the replacement of the computer.