4 Best Linux Mini PC That You Can Buy Today

Mini PCs are growing in popularity at the expense of traditional desktop computers. If the modern trend is anything to go by it would be accurate to say that the future belongs to mini PCs. Linux-based mini PCs are particularly great for regular use.

They are portable, easy to handle, consume less power and can fit in small spaces. Equally important is the fact that most of them operate with an open source operating system.

That said, not all Linux mini PCs are created equally. Choosing the right one for you can be a bit confusing and overwhelming.

Here we have a review covering 4 of the best models to help you pick the BEST Linux Mini PC that actually fulfilled your portability needs.

So, lets Start.

Best Linux Mini PC Comparison

CompuLab Mint Box Mini

There are many reasons to make the CompuLab MintBox your first choice Linux Mini PC.

For starters it comes preinstalled with a Linux Mint operating system that supports MATE Desktop Environment. With dimensions of 4.2 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches, it is a highly portable mini Linux computer that you can carry around without any problems.

I liked the Mint Box Mini so much. It is one of my best Linux Mini PC I have used ever, and I wanted to share my findings with you. A complete Linux Mint Solution. Not only Linux Mint, you can also use and install other Linux distribution in this mini computer.

A Complete Linux Mint Box

High Performance

The small and compact size doesn’t translate to low performance. It boasts a 1GHz Quad-Core AMD A4 Micro-6400T 64bit Processor. Combined with the installed 4GB DDR3 RAM, the processor largely accounts for this machine’s outstanding speed. As a matter of fact you can install and use other Linux distros besides the Linux Mint.

Additionally, it has 64GB internal SSD storage. While that’s not the biggest capacity you can get in a mini Linux computer, you can always expand it using external storage devices. It has three USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports that will come in handy when you need to connect an external storage device.

The CompuLab MintBox is built with AMD Radeon R3 Graphics. If you are an avid gamer the graphics probably won’t give you the same experience as Intel’s offerings. But they are still decent enough to remain competitive, particularly if you are not doing a lot of gaming.

One other thing that’s likable about this mini PC Linux is that it uses Realtek HD Audio. It has two different audio outputs. The first is ordinary stereo and the second is 7.1 digital output. There are also two audio inputs, namely analog stereo microphone and digital S/PIDF. The benefit of this audio system is that it gives HQ audio input and output from one place.

The other noteworthy feature of the MintBox Mini is that it has built-in LAN and Wi-Fi. You can easily connect to the internet using an Ethernet cable or wirelessly.

Use Low Resources, Give High Performance

Despite its high performance, the CompuLab MintBox Mini runs on less power compared to most other mini PCs. You don’t really need a high-powered electric line to operate this Linux mini PC, a 12-volt adapter will do.

It’s completely fan-less (part of the reason why it’s extremely small and compact). You won’t really need to add a cooling system, but just in case you feel otherwise you can consider this particular one.

There is also a cool feature I have seen.It is completely fanless. You don’t need an extra cooling system to operate it. But, if you need to add extra cooling system, I recommend the one below.

Mintbox Mini Specification

ASUS CHROMEBOX

If you enjoy using Google Chrome OS and Google products you will love the Asus Chromebox.

Why?

It runs on a Chrome OS that is based on a Linux kernel, which makes it one very reliable Linux mini PC. With it you won’t have to worry about viruses, malware and other security threats. Plus it is compatible with a variety of devices, including this 32-inch Samsung LED TV.

After using it, I have found some unique features of ASUS Chromebox which I want to share with you.

Modern And Sleek Design

Modern and Sleek Design

The Asus Chromebox is an eye catcher. It’s quite literally a black box computer with dimensions of 4.88 x 4.88 x 1.65 inches and a weight of 1.3 pounds. That makes it a portable mini Linux computer that you can you can easily slip in your backpack or laptop bag when stepping out.

Besides portability, the compact size of this Linux mini PC reduces its footprint to practically nothing. It’s fitted with a convenient Vesa mount kit that allows you to tuck the whole device nicely at the back of your HD TV or monitor.

Perhaps more importantly, it allows you to setup multiple connections. Your options include HDMI, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) and 802.11 b/g/n dual-band WiFi.

Combination Of Desktop And Web Experience

The Asus Chromebox lets you stream the best quality content from the web. It supports video resolutions of 720P, 1080P all through 4K (also known as Ultra HD) as well as HQ audio streaming.

You can watch or listen to your favorite videos, TV shows and audios from YouTube, Netflix, Plex, Soundcloud, Dropbox and several other online media platforms. Since it runs on Google Chrome OS, you can use all the apps that are available on Chrome’s Web Store, such as Tweet Deck, Freedly, Google Docs, LINE etc.

Besides web-based applications, you can use the Asus Chromebox in offline mode. In that case you will have access to offline applications that don’t require an internet connection. They include Gmail Offline, My Time Organizer, Pocket, Quick Note, Sketchpad etc.

ASUS Chromebox Specifications

Azulle Quantum Byte

The Azulle brand is not as popular as Intel or Asus. But when it comes to computers popularity is probably third after performance and design. Speaking of design, the Azulle Quantum Byte is a superbly-built unit that is slim and fan-less.

This mini desktop comes installed with Windows 10 but you can change it to a Linux-based OS of your choice. The only two conditions are that the OS should be a 64-bit and it should support UEFI.

After researching about this Quantum Byte mini PC, I have found some different features like these:

A Great Fanless Mini PC

The Azulle Quantum Byte runs on Intel Atom Z3735F processor which needs only 2.2W to operate. That low-power requirement largely accounts for its inability to overheat, and for that reason it doesn’t have a built-in fan. You don’t even need an external cooling system to use this mini PC.

All In One Desktop And Media Center Solution

The specifications of the Azulle Quantum Byte make it suitable for all kinds of users. With a 64-bit processor, this mini PC has 2 GB DDR3 RAM, 32GB eMMC Storage and Built-in WiFi among other features. It works well both as a desktop computer and as a media center for your entertainment.

It is powerful enough to support all the essential programs of a desktop, including browsers, Office, YouTube etc. While it doesn’t have a CD drive it has three USB 2.0 ports for file transfer.

It works just as well, or perhaps better, when used for entertainment. With native apps like Hulu, Netflix and WatchESPN, you can stream plenty of great content. The fact that it supports browsers like Chrome and Firefox means you can stream online content. Simply hook your Quantum Byte to any LCD, LED or Smart TV and you will be good to go. It has both VGA and HDMI ports for those types of connections.

Overall, this Mini PC Linux serves the needs of pretty much every user. But if you need to explore more options from the manufacturer you could consider looking at the Azulle Byte Plus

Azulle Quantum Byte Specification

Jide Remix Mini

If you are looking for an Android-based mini PC then the Jide Remix Mini might just be what you need. There are many reasons to get excited over a PC that runs on Android, of course the main one being that it allows you to use Android apps, something you can’t do on a Windows or Mac PC (unless you have an Android simulator).

Now, this particular unit comes preinstalled with Remix OS, which is an open source OS that is based on Google’s Android. It’s a Linux distro. That combo is what makes this Linux mini PC quite an interesting product.

Powered By Remix OS

The Remix OS 2.0 used is based on Android 5.1 (Lollipop). Combined with the specifications, this OS gives the Jide Remix Mini all the good capabilities of Windows and Mac-based PCs, including ability to multitask, drag-and-drop, classic start menu, advanced file manager and support for updates with the OTA updater.

As a matter of fact you don’t have to worry about updates because the updater automatically picks them up as soon as they are released.

You can use the Jide Remix Mini with any monitor that has an HDMI port.

Small Size, High Performance

You can easily tell that the Jide Remix Mini is a fast and reliable mini Linux computer just by looking at its set of features. It has a 64-bit quad core processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC storage, 802.11 b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth 4.0 just to name a few.

With those specs you can run almost all Android HD games smoothly. The likes of GTA Vice City, Asphalt 8 etc. play smoothly without lagging. Plus the PC can play up to 4k video and supports 1920*1080 resolution.

Low Power Consumption

Besides impressive performance, the other good thing about this Linux mini PC is that it uses just 10W of power to operate. You can either run it with its built-in battery or a DC adapter. At the back of the unit is a power button for ON/OFF functions.

Specification

Conclusion

If you’ve read this far then you’ve just seen our picks for the best mini Linux computers. Do you agree with our list?

If so leave us a comment. If not tell us why and we just might use your recommendations for our next set of reviews.

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