u/ChowchiT

I am currently debating on whether or not I want to purchase a mini pc or just a laptop. I enjoy the portability of a laptop but if I have a portable monitor, external keyboard and Bluetooth mouse, wouldn't that also just act as a laptop? Obviously there's the hassle of pulling out all the individual components and packing it all up when you're moving around but if your plan is just to go to a cafe, work there for a few hours, then go home, wouldn't the amount of time taken to set everything up and turn on your computer take the same amount of time as standing in line and ordering a coffee?

Obviously there's the issue of finding an outlet to plug in your mini PC but I feel that's more of a situational issue while laptops are superior in the way they have that battery for far superior accessibility.

I know this is probably such an ignorant question but if someone didn't mind the 5 minutes of set up and pack up, wouldn't a mini PC work just as well (if not perform better) than a traditional laptop?

Hi all, I'm currently in the market to look for a new laptop as my current one (A Lenovo Legion 2019) barely runs anymore. I don't know much about computers outside of "graphic cards are expensive". I actually just learned the distinction between RAM, GPU, and CPU like 5 minutes ago, lol.

While researching laptops, I came across Mini PC's which peaked my interest as they seam just as powerful as a PC but with the convenience of a laptop. I enjoy traveling and working outside so the idea of going to a cafe, pulling out my minipc and hooking it up to a portable monitor and keyboard sounds great to me. I saw some that were the size of a palm which would be even more convenient. One that peaks my interest was the ROG NUC (2025) Gaming Mini PC by ASUS which is around the size and weight of a college text book. Another one is the GMKtec Evo X2 which is the size of a Harry Potter book which is even better (not the book the size). Would there be a mini PC that someone could also reccommend/suggest?

I know this is a laptop subreddit so if the mini PC suggestion isn't given I understand.

LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE

Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US:

Less than 2500$ USD (Willing to consider up to 3000$ if it can hold up for a really long time).

Are you open to refurbs/used?

Open to refurbished. Hesitant for a used one (unless "used" means just using Word a few times and downloaded some pictures)

How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life?

2 in 1 would be great but not necessary. I would prefer high performance over everything else and maybe a battery life that won't die after 2 hours of watching a movie.

How important is weight and thinness to you?

As long as it can fight in a backpack and isn't 30 pounds then it's not that big a deal.

Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A.

13" is fine but for my purposes I'm open to anything larger.

Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run.

I would be doing some CAD (Sketchup, Blender, Vray), art (Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop/ Illustrator), and gaming.

If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want?

Mainly Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and League of Legends (dont judge). I would like to be playing around 144 FPS but 60 FPS is fine.

Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)?

Maybe a good touch-screen for art purposes but I prefer using a drawing tablet. A finger-print reader would be cool but it's not like I have the Epstein list or anything so a reader isn't necessary.

Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion.

The laptop would mainly be for CAD and art so if theres a laptop that can specifically just fullfill those requirements that would be good. The gaming aspect isn't as important to me but would be nice to have.

Thanks for reading!