Mini PC

For the NSA project, see NetTop.
This article is about Mini PC. Not to be confused with microcomputer or microcontroller.

The Acer AspireRevo nettop

A mini PC (or miniature PC, nettop, or Smart Micro PC) is a small-sized, inexpensive, low-power,[citation needed] legacy-free desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as web browsing, accessing web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback.[1][2][3]

The word nettop is a portmanteau of network and desktop. It is the desktop counterpart of the netbook. Modern (c. 2020) mini PCs or small form factor PCs can be much more powerful, being equipped with high-end laptop components or mid-range desktop components.[4][5]

Compared with ordinary desktop computers, nettops are not only smaller and less expensive,[6] but they also consume much less power. For example, CompuLab's fit-PC2 consumes no more than 8 watts of power[7] whereas a typical desktop would easily consume more than 100 watts of power; consequently, nettops require significantly less cooling and may even be completely fanless. Some do not have an optical disk drive and use a solid-state drive, making them completely silent. The tradeoff is that the hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced[8] and hence make nettops less appropriate for running complex or resource-intensive applications.

Hardware

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Mac Mini 2020 (M1)

There are several platforms that are primarily intended for nettops and netbooks:

  • Intel's Atom platform[9]
  • Nvidia's Ion platform[10]
  • Intel's Core platform
  • AMD's APU platform
  • Apple's Mac Mini
  • VIA's Trinity Platform[11]

Some nettops have also adopted system-on-a-chip designs. Although many major parts such as chipsets, video cards and storage devices can also be found on desktops, the CPUs that are put inside nettops are the fundamental component that differentiate them from normal desktops. The list below contains a range of hardware components that a typical nettop may be assembled from.

Intel's Atom processor has been adopted by several hardware manufacturers, such as ASUS, MSI, and Sony, for nettops. Nvidia has also released its first generation ION platform, which puts GeForce 9400M Motherboard GPU alongside the Atom processor to provide better high definition video playback ability and lower power consumption.[12] In addition, Nvidia has announced that it will support VIA's CPUs this year.[13] To further reduce the manufacturing cost and improve power efficiency, many manufacturers and start-up companies have chosen to use CPUs that were originally targeted at embedded computing devices such as AMD's Geode and ARM Cortex-based CPUs.

Operating systems

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Many net-top models are x86-processor-based and as such are capable of running standard PC OSes. There are also operating systems designed specifically for nettops and other machines in the same performance class. Some high-end nettops are capable of running Windows 10.[14] Google's ChromeOS and Android are other options. Although Google's Android was originally designed for smartphones, it has also taken a seat in the nettop market.[15]

Linux is beginning to be the favorite choice of nettop users (considering the high commercial use of these machines), the flexibility and low-requirement capabilities of the OS are perfect for the product.[citation needed]

Market

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Nettops fell into Intel's category of "Basic PC", which usually cost from $100 to $299.[16] Intel described nettops as a large potential market at that time. Nettops were said to be able serve as an affordable first computer for people in developing countries, or as an environmentally friendly choice as a secondary computer for people in developed countries.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556 Zotac's Zbox Nano AD10 Plus nettop – Zacate in the palm of your hand
  2. ^ 'Netbooks,' 'Nettops' target secondary PC users Archived 11 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ hexus.net: What is a nettop
  4. ^ "The Best Mini Desktop PCS". The New York Times. 7 June 2021.
  5. ^ "The Best Windows Mini PCS for 2021".
  6. ^ Intel Nettop is all about cost cutting
  7. ^ Fit-PC2 Specifications
  8. ^ "Is a Nettop Right for You?". Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  9. ^ [1] Archived 22 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Next-Generation NVIDIA ION Graphics Processors". Nvidia.com. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  11. ^ "News Release VIA Trinity Platform Brings Hi-Def to Small Spaces – VIA Technologies, Inc". Via.com.tw. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Nvidia's Ion platform – The Tech Report – Page 1". The Tech Report. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  13. ^ "NVIDIA Ion platform to support VIA Nano processors this year". Engadget. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  14. ^ "The 9 Best Mini PCs to Buy in 2018". lifewire. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Asustek to Make Google Android Netbook, Says Report". PCWorld. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  16. ^ CNet article
  17. ^ Netbooks and Nettops New category of emerging Internet Devices
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nettops.
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