bertilak wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 1:32 pmquantAndHold wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 1:25 pmPrice, primarily. I watched a YouTube video the opposite day the place a the man was attempting to provide you with the most cost effective doable setup to run drawing apps. He used a $169 mini, a $200 drawing pill, and a $30 mouse/keyboard combo. It labored fantastically. For that utility, the drawing pill doubles because the monitor. You would possibly be capable of get a laptop computer for $350, however you’d nonetheless must spend $200 on the drawing pill.
Most of them additionally include VESA mounts, so you’ll be able to mount them to the again of your present monitor, and create an all-in-one, if that’s what you need.
I am getting the image. Mini-PCs are good for constructing in to (or including on to) units needing compute energy. If what you are attempting to do is construct an precise laptop, then maybe an precise laptop (laptop computer) is what it’s best to get!
That was my unique thought, to get a laptop computer. My 10 yr previous Acer semi-mini-PC (which has been nice!) continues to be doing what I want, however it may die at any time now and I do not need to be caught up in an emergency. Plus it is simply time to improve.
So for some time I used to be taking a look at an HP 2in1 (16 or 17″) the place you’ll be able to detach the contact display screen and use it as a pill. Then I used to be going to purchase a dock and hook up my parts (desktop monitor, scanner, printer, audio system, and so forth) to this “screen-less laptop computer.” Which might price much more than a Mini-PC, be extra difficult, and take up more room on my desk.
So after I discovered these Mini-PCs and noticed that this may meet my wants higher, and cheaper, with much better specs for the value, plus I have already got the monitor (which can be changed some day), printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, and so forth., I dropped the laptop computer thought.
That kind of explains why I wrote this in my OP: Had been contemplating a laptop computer, however then was simply going to purchase a dock and 99% of the time use it as a desktop, so sort of a waste.
So in my case it is a number of issues that say the Mini-PC is that they method to go (for me).
Type of jogs my memory of after I was a child we had a big wood TV console with a (primitive) in-built tuner and turntable, and my brother and I might crank it up with the Beatles and every thing else well-liked on the time.
However then within the 70s it appeared element sound methods grew to become the way in which to go whenever you wished to take heed to music. You can get particular person parts, like large audio system!
For issues like Hendrix, Chicago, Santana, (edit: ooops, cannot omit Led Zepplin! 
) and so forth, and numerous nice Motown too. Was only a lot higher than an
all-in-one TV-sound-system combo.
So since I have already got all of the parts I want, all I want is the principle mind of all of it, a compact PC that I can mount behind my monitor on the wall, out of sight, however straightforward to entry. (Determine it would warmth up much less on the wall than again of monitor however perhaps does not matter).
Anyway that is sort of my reasoning for the Mini PC.
However I am nonetheless on the fence with all this. As a result of, will I get 10 years out of one in every of these Mini PCs? Like I’ve with this Acer. I positive do not need to go via an emergency scenario in 3 or 4 years (perhaps much less?) the place the factor blows up and I lose knowledge (even tho I again as much as a number of EX-HDs, nonetheless going to lose most up-to-date stuff, plus the effort concerned and so forth).
So for now I am at the least contemplating what is likely to be a greater model, Beelink?
I do not know. I simply found this stuff so must look into it additional.
Good factor is there isn’t any rush. I have been working software program checking my current 1 TB HD within the Acer the previous couple of years, and it says it is good. And every thing seems to be cool on the within (actually, as in temps).
However no ensures proper. So after the cleansing (when my compressed air will get delivered) will see if it runs quieter, and presumably cooler too. I will report again, particularly if I discover Jimmy Hoffa in there! .
In the meantime I search on for a Mini PC (I believe?)
“We maintain you alive to serve this ship. Row properly…and dwell.” Ben Hur…and The Taxman! hahaha (a George Harrison track)
