How to choose a mini PC — who needs a Mac mini?

There is little room on the desk, but you need a quiet, powerful machine for work. This is exactly where the question of choosing a mini PC comes up: can you buy a box the size of a book and plug it into the monitor and keyboard you already have at home? The answer is yes, but with one condition. The compact desktop section of the Dona catalogue currently has 62 products, from 5.2 million to 62.6 million UZS, and most of them are actually laptops. There are only two true mini PCs: the Apple Mac mini M4.

What a mini PC actually is#

A mini PC is a system unit, just a shrunk one. Inside there is a processor, memory and a drive; outside there is no monitor, keyboard or mouse. So when comparing prices, compare “box + monitor” with “laptop”, not the bare numbers.

Who it suits:

• Home office. For someone who works in one place. The box sits under the desk, makes no noise and uses no more electricity than a laptop.
• A second workplace. If you already have a monitor, you only buy the box.
• Video and design. A Mac mini M4 is faster than a laptop at the same price, because cooling works well even in the small case.

Who it does not suit: someone who works in class or while travelling. You cannot put a mini PC in a bag and work without a screen.

What to look for when choosing a mini PC#

Four things, in order:

1. Memory (RAM). The Mac mini M4 has 16 GB. In 2026 that is enough for a browser, office work and light editing. An important point: in Apple’s small cases the memory cannot be replaced later, so get enough from the start.
2. Storage. 256 GB is only for the system and work files. If you will collect photos, video or games, take 512 GB or plan an external drive in advance.
3. Ports. How the monitor connects (HDMI or USB-C), and whether there is USB-A for an old keyboard. Check this before you order.
4. Whether you have a monitor. If not, the monitor price is added to the total cost and the calculation changes.

Mac mini or a laptop?#

Let’s be frank: in Uzbekistan most people buy a laptop even for a desk, because it comes with a screen and a battery. If you buy a Mac mini for 12 million UZS, you need a monitor separately. For the same money you can get a laptop with a screen.

There are three cases where a mini PC pays off: you already have a monitor; the device stays on all day; silence and cooling matter. In other cases a laptop is more practical.

If you do not have a monitor yet, see the monitor buying guide to count the costs together. All models in the section are collected on the laptops and mini PCs page.

Real prices (Dona, September 2026)#

Prices are taken from the app catalogue as of 10 September 2026. A seller can change a price at any time; the current price and availability are shown on the product page in the app.

• Acer Aspire Go 15 — laptop, Core i3-N355, 8 GB DDR5, 128 GB — 5,256,000 UZS. The cheapest entry point.
• Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15AMN7 — laptop, Ryzen 5, 8 GB DDR5, 256 GB SSD — 5,472,000 UZS.
• Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G6 — laptop, Core i5-13420H, 8 GB DDR5, 512 GB SSD — 7,920,000 UZS. A balanced choice for work.
• Apple Macbook Neo 13 — A18 Pro, 8 GB, 256 GB SSD — 9,936,000 UZS. The cheapest Apple.
• Apple Mac mini (M4) — 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD — 12,240,000 UZS. This one, if you have a monitor.
• Apple Mac mini (M4) — 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD — 13,680,000 UZS. For editing and photos.
• Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) — 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD — 18,432,000 UZS. Instead of a Mac mini plus a screen.
• Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Max) — 36 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD — 62,640,000 UZS. The most expensive product in the section.

What to ask in the live stream#

In a photo a Mac mini is just an aluminium box, and its size is hard to picture. In a live stream the seller holds it, turns the back towards the camera, and you count the ports with your own eyes. Ask: “How many USB-C ports are on the back?”, “Is an HDMI cable for my monitor in the box?”, “Can you hear the fan under load?”. The answers to these three questions are usually not in the product description.