6 best nettops

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The best mid-range nettops

Asus VivoPC VM40B

Asus’ entire line of VivoPCs can boast of an incredibly elegant and stylish case. The elegant nettop, comparable in size to a large optical disc box, will easily fit into the most sophisticated interior of a home or a successful office. Even such simple models of Asus VivoPC nettops as VM40B are equipped with built-in speakers and are capable of reproducing high-quality sound, support the latest wireless standards, and the software allows you to control them using a smartphone or tablet. It is noteworthy that such a tiny case houses a standard 3.5-inch hard drive. The rosy picture is spoiled only by an incomprehensible hardware limitation that does not allow using a drive larger than 1 TB in the device.

Main advantages:

  • convenient collapsible body with easy access to all major components;
  • full set of audio interfaces, including optical S/PDIF;
  • two slots for memory sticks.
Minuses:
  • does not support drives larger than one terabyte;
  • no VESA mount;
  • You can clearly hear the sound of the HDD.

9.3
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

The best nettop for everyday use as a multimedia PC. Its attractive design means it can’t be hidden behind a TV or monitor, and the latest Wi-Fi specification ensures it’s fast, wireless networking.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q190

The body of the Q190 is associated with a paperback book, and its thickness is only 22 mm. Soft rubber feet allow you to lay the device on its side, with a special stand it is installed vertically, and a VESA mounting bracket provides a third placement option for the nettop. Thanks to a high-quality audio path and an optical S / PDIF connector, the mini-PC is suitable for building a modern multimedia center with seven-channel sound. The IdeaCentre Q190 lineup is wide and includes both simple and productive solutions, including those that allow them to be used as entry-level gaming PCs.

Main advantages:

  • small body thickness;
  • support for multi-channel audio;
  • complete VESA mount.
Minuses:
  • no support for the latest wireless specification.

9.2
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

Bought on the advice of friends and have no regrets. A very thin body, nice appearance and almost silent operation of the nettop now impress my guests.

Best Premium Nettops

Intel NUC

The founder of the ultra-compact form factor somewhat revised his own concept, according to which any system built on the Next Unit of Computer platform should not have storage devices with moving nodes. The next generation of Intel NUC (to which the model under consideration also belongs), along with M.2 solid-state drives, allows the use of traditional 2.5 «hard drives or SSDs connected via a SATA port. The seat for such a device is provided by the updated case design. The model is built based on a Core i3-5010U processor with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 5500. The performance filling allows you to use the nettop to build an entry-level gaming system or a compact multimedia center.Hardware support for the latest wireless specifications allows you to watch streaming video even in 4K resolution.

Main advantages:

  • good performance;
  • the ability to install drives with SATA or M.2 interface;
  • support for the latest wireless specification;
  • the presence of a USB connector with the ability to quickly charge mobile devices;
  • support for Wireless Display technology.
Minuses:
  • second generation PCIe bus;
  • no USB 3.1.

9.6
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

Not cheap stuff, of course, but I needed smaller dimensions and decent performance. While I installed a SATA SSD, in a year I will buy a fast one for the system, and this one will be the second.

Apple Mac mini

Apple has not updated its Mac mini lineup for a long time, so the main advantage of nettops of this brand is the OS X operating system. However, it is not correct to talk about obsolescence of the hardware stuffing: its performance is enough for modern games with medium quality settings and watching videos in high resolution . Claims can be made except for the increased power consumption and low frame rate in 4K mode. Otherwise, it’s still the same elegant Mac mini, the appearance of which has not changed for several generations. Note that in configurations without the Fusion Drive storage subsystem installed, it is impossible to add such functionality through a subsequent upgrade, so immediately focus on the required modification.

Main advantages:

  • stylish appearance;
  • built-in power supply;
  • high performance;
  • Easy integration with other Apple hardware.
Minuses:
  • high price;
  • HDMI video output provides 4K picture at 24Hz.

9.5
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

The best nettop for the home, unless gaming performance is required at any cost. Expensive, but Apple does not have budget offers.

Zotac ZBOX

The junior model of the ZBOX NANO line is based on the fifth generation processor with extremely low power consumption Core i3-5010U. The performance of the processor and the capabilities of the integrated graphics core are enough to comfortably watch 4K video or build an entry-level gaming station. The manufacturer leaves the choice of using the nettop to the user, especially since the basic package is offered without a drive and installed memory. However, in addition to the recommended and older model MI542, the family also includes fully equipped PLUS modifications. Feature line — the presence of two gigabit network cards, which allows you to use the nettop as an Internet gateway. The remote antenna of the Wi-Fi module, which supports the latest wireless exchange specification, also suggests such an application.

Main advantages:

  • two gigabit network cards;
  • remote Wi-Fi antenna;
  • support for 802.11ac protocol;
  • decent performance.
Minuses:
  • There are fingerprints on the glossy cover.

9.5
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

Cool little media center, functional and with good performance. As a purely gaming computer, it is impractical to use it, but this mini-PC pulls the same tanks easily.

Best Inexpensive Nettops

Pegatron Amis L6 SAISHIAT 2+

A well-known OEM / ODM manufacturer in narrow circles has brought to the retail market several lines of ultra-compact system blocks under its own name. Almost all of them come without a memory bar and a hard drive, allowing a qualified user to complete the nettop according to their needs. The recommended nettop model is equipped with one of the best processors in the budget category, on the basis of which it will be possible to build an entry-level multimedia system. It will be uncomfortable to play on it, but other tasks can be handled by such a device. Nettop can be assembled both on a stand and for mounting to the back of some monitors.

Main advantages:

  • the ability to assemble the system in the required configuration;
  • VESA mount included.
Minuses:
  • high accuracy is required when disassembling the plastic case on snaps;
  • only one USB 3 connector;
  • Wi-Fi does not support 802.11ac;
  • Relatively noisy fan in normal mode.

9.1
/ ten
Rating

Reviews

An inexpensive workhorse for the home or office, packaged in an extremely compact package. For games, complex mathematical calculations or modeling, a nettop is not suitable, but watching movies, working with documents or surfing the Internet is the best option.

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