Mini PC - which is the better buy and unit
BOSEGAME Mini PC Ryzen 9 6900HX 16GB RAM 512GB SDD $468
vs
Mini PC Which Is Better Buy
Comments
which would be more suited as a proxmox host to run Frigate. home assistant. openwrt. win 11. and win10 vms
the win vms are for "office like use"
Just looking for a mini pic for home for general internet use and using Microsoft office use
Why is OS needing reinstall
Why is OS needing reinstall
Malware/Spyware have been reported to be preinstalled on several Mini PCs in the past, this is just a safety precaution
Just looking for a mini pic for home for general internet use and using Microsoft office use
Then you could pay half (or less) and get a n97/100/150
Why is OS needing reinstall
Reviewers have discovered spyware installed on some of these "modified" windows installs.
Beelink MINI-S12 Mini PC, 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake-N95 Processor $249
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C1N4VYBX
So this more suited .. will it need fresh OS too
This has no Win 11 preinstalled :(
You can install W11 unactivated for free and pay $10 to activate it if so desired.
or activate it for free with massgravel
So this one would be OK
GMKtec Mini PC Intel N150 16GB DDR4 1TB $295
https://www.amazon.com.au/GMKtec-16GB-1TB-Nucbox-G3/dp/B0D5C…
So how does this compare to the other two above are they worth the $173-184 difference ???
Yep that one is great, or the n97 is also perfectly acceptable
EDIT - given the price difference (n97 for $200 with coupon) I would definitely recommend the n97 over the n150
This being OzB, the best value mini-PC is an ex-lease govt/corporate box like an Optiplex Micro. Perfect for Proxmox, Frigate, Plex or general desktop use. Includes genuine Win 11 Pro license.
If you want micro, with a more powerful GPU, the the new Apple Mac Mini gets a special mention, so long as 16GB is enough. Only $900 discounted, less with education store. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/mac-mini-m4-2024
The Ryzen boxes are better for Windows gaming, I guess, if you insist on micro form factor rather than SFF.
Regarding doing a fresh install of the OS, my Minisforum included win 11 and I set it up as local account only. If I now want to reinstall it to be safe, how can I make sure I don't lose the licence?
You won't, assuming the license is legit, it is tied to the BIOS. And installing Windows from USB image is quite easy these days.
So for peace of mind with malware on these mini PCs would a fresh install of Windows on a bootable USB be enough or should I reformat the boot drive as well?
I'm no expert, but I think Windows will do that normally.
But you are never 100% safe. Malware could be embedded in the firmware, or deep in the microcode by NSA.or deep in the microcode by NSA.
But that's the spyware from the "good" guys. It's essential to keep us safe…
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions OZB a great helpful community
You can find in-depth reviews of most mini pcs on YouTube.
Based on what criteria? Of course the 6900HX is more powerful than the 5825U with much better on-board graphics, but at thrice the TDP. It also has faster DDR5 RAM.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/AMD-Ryzen-9-6900HX-vs-A…
BOSGAME is also more prominent than whatever GMKTec is, but neither are as well known as Minisforum. Regardless, make sure you completely wipe any pre-installed OS and install your own fresh clean copy.