What to Buy > Computer & Laptops > Mini Gaming PCs: Which One Will Elevate Your Game? Small yet mighty, these mini PCs pack a surprising punch By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 13, 2024 We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Look For Other Mini PCs We Considered Frequently Asked Questions Photo: Westend61/Getty Images The best mini PCs are powerful enough to enjoy snappy productivity and gaming performance. If you need a capable machine to carry with you that can fit into a backpack, briefcase, or even your pocket, or just something that won’t dominate your work or personal space, then a mini PC is a great option. These are our favorites. Our Top Picks Just Buy This (All Around Best): Valve Steam Deck OLED at Amazon $740 Jump to Review Premium Option: ASUS ROG NUC 970 Full System Mini PC at Amazon $1,799 Jump to Review Easiest on the Budget: SALE Acemagician Gaming PC at Amazon $399 $299 Jump to Review Just Buy This (All Around Best) Valve Steam Deck OLED PHOTO: Amazon $740 at Amazon $590 at Walmart View on Steampowered.com TL;DR: Valve’s portable PC/console hybrid is perfect for anyone who wants to access their Steam library on the move. It’s also great for docking and using an external display. Why We Recommend This I’ve owned two Steam Decks over the years -- the standard one and an improved OLED model. Both offer fantastic access to your Steam library but the OLED provides a better screen, it’s slightly lighter, and more comfortable to hold. Pros Easy to use Expandable storage Great screen Can use portably Cons Windows OS can be complicated to install Battery life isn’t great Not all games are designed for Steam Deck The Steam Deck OLED requires no technical knowledge unless you install Windows. It offers powerful performance at the price of a gorgeous 7.4-inch OLED screen. Battery life of between 3 and 12 hours sounds vague because it depends on the game you play. In reality, somewhere in between is about right. If you plan on using it as a docked PC, you can do so with additional accessories that don’t take up much room. The Steam library of games is popular because it offers a seemingly endless supply of games covering different genres, tastes, and price ranges. Regular sales mean you won’t need to consider a different method of acquiring your games. While the Steam Deck OLED is a little bulky for smaller hands, it’s mostly reasonably comfortable. Well-laid-out buttons and joysticks ensure you can quickly get to grips with whatever you play. Remember that not all Steam games are optimized for the Steam Deck, which can sometimes be frustrating but can be rectified by connecting a mouse and keyboard. Who else recommends it? TechRadar, The Verge, IGN, GamesRadar, Stuff, and PCMag all recommend the Steam Deck OLED.What do buyers say? The Steam Deck OLED primarily sells directly through the Steam store, but on Amazon, it has an average star rating of 4.1 across 173 user reviews. Premium Option ASUS ROG NUC 970 Full System Mini PC PHOTO: Amazon $1,799 $1,699 at Amazon $2,046 at Walmart TL;DR: The Asus ROG NUC 970 is a powerful mini PC that won’t take up much room at home. It’s expensive, however. Why We Recommend This If you need the smallest PC possible, the Asus ROG NUC 970 is far from cheap but takes up very little room. It has some of the latest hardware, including a 14th-generation Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card means it’ll play pretty much anything you throw at it. Pros Powerful performance Will look good in your living space Full Windows PC Cons Expensive Not entirely portable This is a full PC, so it runs Windows 11 out of the box, so you can also work on it alongside your gaming time. A vertical stand means it fits mostly anywhere you need it, and there are some cool-looking ARGB lights if you want a more personal touch. Given the price, it’s excessive for some people. You could buy a more robust full desktop rig for the same price, but the Asus ROG NUC 970 will still scratch that itch if size is everything. It’ll fit next to your TV or behind your desk while you work. It’s also built to last, as it has the latest hardware, which is good because there’s no way to upgrade it further down the line. Who else recommends it? TechRadar, PCGamer, Tom’s Hardware, Digital Trends, and Tom’s Guide recommend the Asus ROG NUC 970. What do buyers say? The Asus ROG NUC 970 launched in the summer of 2024, so there aren’t many user reviews on Amazon yet. Easiest on the Budget Acemagician Gaming PC PHOTO: Amazon $399 $299 at Amazon $400 at Walmart TL;DR: If you’re on a tight budget but still want to game, the Acemagician Gaming PC is a good option for fans of older games, especially anything cozy. Just don’t expect high performance. Why We Recommend This The Acemagician Gaming PC is an inexpensive mini PC best suited for fans of older games. That doesn’t mean poor-quality games, though, as it can run Fortnite, World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and Stardew Valley, among many others. Pros Affordable Stylish design Silent mode Cons Only good for older games Can be noisy It isn’t particularly powerful, but it works well as a PC that can slide alongside your TV. It’s suitable for all your work-related tasks and would be considered light gaming, but it covers various genres and popular games. The Acemagician Gaming PC has a decent amount of storage for your favorites, and performance modes are available for quieter moments. The silent mode is exactly that, but when you need to crank up the performance, the Acemagician Gaming PC gets noisy, so it’s worth considering before purchasing. Still, to add to that living room coziness, the Acemagician Gaming PC has some neat lighting modes, so it’ll suit any aesthetic. For many, this is something to tide you over before bigger gaming plans, but the Acemagician Gaming PC has its uses if you want a Windows PC without spending much. Who else recommends it? TechRadar, LiveScience, and TweakTown have previously recommended Acemagician Gaming PCs. What do buyers say? Over 1,100 user reviews on Amazon have been submitted for the Acemagician Gaming PC, which has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. What to Look For in a Mini Gaming PC These devices were considered based on extensive research, hands-on and hands-off time with them, and knowledge of the brands included. Considerations included the performance of each mini PC, how easy they are to use, and how genuinely portable and miniature they are. I also looked at how stylish each device was and how easily it would fit into anyone’s lifestyle. Buying a mini PC can be as expensive as buying any other PC. Because of that, consider these key factors before you buy. What's your budget? Like with other PCs, spending a few hundred dollars or a few thousand is possible. Work out how much you can afford and stick to that budget rigidly. You can upgrade some mini PCs, but not all of them, so you want to future-proof certain components, such as the storage space and the graphics card. Steam Deck OLED. Lifewire / Jennifer Allen What games do you plan on playing? What games are your favorites? You don't necessarily need a demanding PC if you primarily play Fortnite or World of Warcraft. However, you should aim for something high-performance to play all the latest titles. It's not just about the games but also where you get them. For instance, the Steam Deck officially only works with Steam-based games (although you can modify it to play other games). For ease of use, you'd only want it if you have an extensive Steam library. Convenience Ask yourself how you plan on using your mini PC. There are multiple different ways you may plan to use it. If you want something you can use away from home, you need a mini PC like the Steam Deck, which has a built-in screen. However, if you want something that fits under your TV, you may prefer something with RGB lighting, which looks great during the evenings. Another option is a mini PC, which can easily fit behind your monitor. These are best suited for working with it and gaming. In all cases, consider where the mini PC will 'live' for most of its days and plan accordingly. Other Mini PCs We Considered The Valve Steam Deck is the older version of the Steam Deck OLED, which you can use to play Steam games on the move or plug into your TV. The Lenovo Legion Go is a more powerful Windows-based version of the Steam Deck, ideal for high-end gaming. Lenovo Legion Go. Lenovo FAQ Can you upgrade a mini gaming PC? Yes, you can upgrade certain parts of a mini gaming PC just like any other desktop, but you'll need to pay particular attention to the size of the components you're using. Some parts, such as graphics cards, may not fit the compact case. It's also important to note that some mini PCs might use something other than conventional components. What's the difference between a mini gaming PC and a conventional desktop? As the name might suggest, a mini gaming PC will be far more compact than your typical desktop, allowing you to fit it into spaces that a regular PC might struggle with. Sometimes, you can make it disappear almost entirely by mounting it on a wall or under a desk. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit