#Mac mini memory upgrade guide full#
#Mac mini memory upgrade guide windows 10#

But it runs silently, and the desktop-class i3 processor is about as fast as the NUC's mobile i5 CPU. The Mac mini is larger and more expensive than the NUC and has less storage for the money. The base model, which we recommend for most people, has a quad-core Intel Core i3-8100 processor, 8 GB of memory, and a 128 GB SSD. If you prefer using macOS, get the Apple Mac mini (2018). Though the Chromebox does support Android apps, we found those clunky and unpleasant to use with a mouse.

In fact, the app you'll use for almost everything is the Chrome web browser, and you'll have to be connected to the internet for most tasks. Unlike a Windows or Mac computer, a Chrome OS device can't use desktop apps. Thanks to Google's Chrome OS, the Asus Chromebox 3-N017U is faster than a $250 Windows PC at browsing the web, basic word processing, and watching movies.

If you only need a computer for browsing the web and basic productivity work, the Asus Chromebox 3 is a good value. If you're comfortable installing your own memory, storage, and OS, you can save a decent chunk of money with the barebones version of this NUC, which we talk about below. You can easily upgrade the storage and memory through a removable panel, and while the NUC's fans are loud, we never found them distracting. A NUC is less powerful and upgradable than a full-sized desktop PC, but it takes up a tiny fraction of the space that size is why you buy a NUC. That amounts to the same power you'd get from something like an ultrabook or a comparable business laptop for about half the price (though you do need to provide a monitor, keyboard, and mouse). Every NUC has four USB ports, a Thunderbolt 3 port, a microSD port, and an HDMI port.

#Mac mini memory upgrade guide windows 10#

But for people who want a prebuilt PC with Windows 10 already installed, we recommend the model with a quad-core Intel Core i5-8259U processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB solid-state drive. Intel offers a few different NUC configurations, many of which don't come with memory, storage, or an OS.

The Intel NUC8i5BEKPA1 is the best because it strikes a balance of cost, processing power, and compact design. They're powerful enough for most people and take up much less space than a full-sized desktop computer. If you're shopping for a desktop computer rather than a laptop because you prefer to work at a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, consider a mini PC.

#Mac mini memory upgrade guide full#

Read the full mini desktop PCs guide here. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter.