Minicomputers are coming: 5 best nettops and sticks

ASUS VivoStick PC TS10 is the second iteration of computers in the "flash drive" form factor, made according to Intel Compute Stick patterns. The dimensions of the case are 16x3.6x1.4 cm, and the weight is only 80 grams. If desired, such a miniature device can be carried daily from home to work, so that both there and there can work comfortably with a fully customized operating system and not worry about the security of personal data.

Compared to the first generation Intel Compute Stick (for example Lenovo IdeaCentre Stick 300 (90F2000QUZ) ), the ASUS VivoStick PC TS10 has received a number of improvements. An energy-efficient 14-nanometer Atom X5-8350 processor with integrated Intel HD graphics with 16 executive modules is installed. But what remains the same is a damn noisy fan under load.

USB 3.0 and a mini-jack for the headset were added to the HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. At the same time, however, the card reader was abolished, but the loss is small. The wireless interfaces have been updated to high-speed versions of Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1.

However, due to the small amount of RAM and permanent memory (2 and 32 GB, respectively), it is impossible to call the ASUS VivoStick PC TS10 a universal PC. The relatively low price and pre-installed licensed Windows 10 OS makes it suitable for the role of a remote access terminal. It can also be used as a set-top box: the Intel Quick Sync hardware decoder handles with H264 video playback up to 4K resolution.

GIGABYTE GB-BPCE-3455 is a modified version of the reference nettop Intel NUC (BOXNUC6CAYH) , made with an emphasis on passive cooling and, as a result, completely silent operation. The only thing that can buzz a little is a hard drive, if you, of course, choose it, and not a silent solid-state drive. Fortunately, 2.5-inch HDDs, unlike 3.5-inch counterparts (see the article "TOP 5 internal hard drives for desktop PCs and laptops"), vibrate weakly.

The heart of GB-BPCE-3455 is the Intel Celeron J3455 processor with four cores of the latest energy-efficient Apollo Lake architecture (one and a half times faster than its predecessor Braswell) and Intel HD 500 graphics (12 executive modules). He can handle such popular multiplayer games as World of Tanks and League of Legends, as well as singleplayer hits until 2008.

RAM, by analogy with the disk, is not supplied in the kit — the buyer is invited to choose the desired volume independently (two SO-DIMM DDR3L slots are available, see the article"How to choose RAM for a computer or laptop?").

At the ends of the GB-BPCE-3455, there was a place for four USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI digital video output and an analogue VGA, an Ethernet socket, a paired 3.5mm audio connector and a card reader. The only internal miniPCIe slot is occupied by a Wi-Fi+Bluetooth card, and an additional miniPCIe M slot.2 (or mSATA) for the second disk is not. As a result, we get a PC that is not superfast, but absolutely silent, capable of becoming a reliable office worker or a set-top box with the functionality of an emulator of classic Dendy (NES), Sega Mega Drive and PlayStation One after completing with memory and disk.

ASRock DeskMini 110 is not a typical nettop, but rather the basis for assembling a compact desktop PC. The kit includes a housing, an external 120W power supply and a Mini-STX motherboard with an LGA1151 socket (see the article "TOP 5 compact Mini-ITX and Mini-STX motherboards"). The design turned out to be larger than Intel NUC and its followers, but much more variable.

Intel Skylake and Kaby Lake processors are supported (the latter require a BIOS update), and not low-frequency laptop, but full-fledged desktop ones with a TDP of up to 65 watts. That is, almost all chips from dual-core to eight-core are supported, with the exception of models with an unlocked multiplier (see the article "Intel Kaby Lake processors: from Celeron to Core i7").

The DeskMini 110 sound subsystem is thoughtfully implemented. There are two audio ports on the front panel: one is paired, the second is purely microphone. This allows you to connect a stereo headset with both one and two plugs. But there is no complete Wi-Fi module, or at least a laid antenna for it. In addition to the typical wired interfaces (HDMI, USB, Ethernet), there are relatively rare DisplayPort and VGA video outputs, as well as an archaic COM port (needed, for example, for computerized industrial machines). Also on the market is a slightly cheaper version of the ASRock DeskMini 110 without a COM port — ASRock DeskMini 110 (110/B/BB) .

HP ProDesk 260 G2 is a nettop equipped with a processor, memory and disk, along with which a simple wired mouse with a keyboard is also supplied. The only thing to do after the purchase is to install the Windows or Linux operating system, since the low-functional FreeDOS is preinstalled by default.

The X3K38ES model code implies the following configuration: an Intel Core i3-6100U processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard disk. In addition to it, there are modifications on the market HP ProDesk 260 G2 (X9D50ES) and HP ProDesk 260 G2 (X9D65ES) with 128 and 256 GB solid-state drives, respectively, as well as HP ProDesk 260 G2 (X3L01ES) with a Pentium 4405U processor (four-threaded, like Core i3, but with simplified integrated graphics). And only the latest modification has a Wi-Fi module.

HP ProDesk 260 G2 is aimed more at office than home use. In the office environment, for the sake of security, they still prefer the good old wired Ethernet instead of wireless Wi-Fi. And the opportunity to buy a fully ready-to-use computer workplace, especially when it comes to a wholesale order, is valued above all.

The latest generation of Apple Mac mini nettops came out already in 2014, but is in demand to this day. And all because even the younger configuration of the MGEM2 is equipped with a Core i5-4260U processor with Turbo Boost auto-acceleration up to 2.7 GHz and powerful, by the standards of integrated, Intel HD 5000 graphics (40 executive modules).

The Mac mini case is made of aluminium-magnesium alloy, because of this, the nettop not only looks stylish, but also cools efficiently and quietly. Among the interfaces, in addition to the widespread ones, it is worth noting the presence of two Thunderbolt (compatible with monitors, removable drives and even external video cards) and an IR sensor for remote control (the remote itself is purchased separately). And the Mac mini is a rare nettop with an internal, not external, power supply (less "junk" on the table).

The amount of RAM (4 GB) and the performance of the disk subsystem (HDD 500 GB) of the basic model MGEM2, of course, makes much to be desired. And if SSD M.2 can be installed without losing the HDD, then the RAM is soldered directly on the motherboard and is not subject to upgrade. Fortunately, the proprietary macOS operating system, thanks to careful optimization, smartly works even with 4 GB of RAM. We recommend buying first of all to those who already have an iPhone or iPad in order to automatically sync personal data with Mac mini via iTunes and iCloud.