New small form factor

[skaertus]

I am thinking of a small form factor desktop and the first choice would be of course the Mac Mini.

As it cannot be upgraded later, I thought of the intermediate model, with a Core i5-4278U 2.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, and a 1 TB HDD. However, I can see Apple has not updated it in the last three years, and it is seriously outdated.

An alternative would be the HP Prodesk 400 Desktop Mini, which ships with a Core i5-7500T 2.7 GHz, 4 GB RAM, and a 500 GB HDD, and Windows 10 Pro. This one would be about 25%-30% cheaper than the Mac mini (please note that I am not buying the laptop in the U.S., so it would be worthless any recommendations of stores with a better price). However, it comes with less RAM and storage (which can of course be upgraded).

Which would be more worth it? Thanks for the help.

 

[ElFenix]

since the processor is unupgradeable and since neither comes with an SSD, the HP is my choice. swap in an SSD and a second stick of ram and that thing is golden.

 

[you2]

Are you bound to mac-os? If not and you like that sort of interface I would go with a nuc which is 1/4 the size and can run linux.

 

[Spartak]

If you value design, built quality, and the Mac Mini form-factor I'd definately go for the HP Slice

 

[AnitaPeterson]

No. Not worth it.

Spend your money better.

See this thread here.
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...-better-value-than-500-2014-mac-mini.2477791/ - specifically my Hystou FMP03 review.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The problem with the Mac Mini is Apple has gone too many years without updating it. Maybe they'll finally make a new Coffee Lake mini next year.

For Windows, I'm waiting for MSI to release the Cubi 3 Silent models they announced recently, though just to use for a music jukebox if they are good.

 

[you2]

I would wait for the new processor at this point since the low power units are 4 cores instead of 2 (like wise for laptops).