I know you have one in your pocket right now—that is, if you’re not reading this on it already. The smartphone proved that computers can be anything, and anything can be a computer. Even putting aside the smartphone and the laptop, desktops have been getting smaller and changing form over time.
The mini PC (sometimes also called a NUC) is a term that’s getting a lot of use lately, but it’s for something that’s more or less existed for decades: a small, prebuilt computer. Traditionally, a PC runs Windows, but you can find Linux-based and MacOS-based mini PCs too. Of course, Apple makes its own in the form of the Mac Mini, probably the most popular one on the market.
The original version debuted back in 2005, proving my point that these are nothing new, and has made its way into millions of homes without needing anyone to utter the words “mini PC.” Point is, if you’re looking for something with the capability of a desktop without wanting a space-hogging tower, this is what you need to be looking at. Whether you need a machine for school, work, or gaming, these are the most capable desktops that come in shockingly small packages. These four machines are the best mini PCs to buy right now.
Starting off, it’s the 2026 Mac Mini. For the average person, you can start and stop the shopping journey here. If you want a compact home computer and you’re already deeply embedded in MacOS and Apple’s ecosystem, it’s hard to resist the simple appeal of the Mac Mini M6.
It’s unassuming, smaller than a cable box and about the size of your internet modem. 90 percent of the time, it’s as quiet as either of those too, despite being a fast mid-range computer optimized for AI workloads (more so than any generation before it). In terms of connections, you get a full stack; three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port in the back, as well as two USB-C ports and a headphone jack in front. More than plenty for all your accessories.
Like I said, this is a mid-range Mac. It’s just as suited for a home office as the main family computer in the living room. For something with professional level capabilities (we are all professionals, but I’m talking video editing, software development, any 3D model rendering), you’ll want the one with the M5 Pro chip instead.
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