Anyone here have one of those mini desktops? It would be great to have the performance of a high powered desktop without a big tower. What has your experience been with them?
I standardized my entire company's desktop users on the Dell OptiPlex 7040 micro from factor about 6 months ago. It's gone well. You are screwed if you need expansion video cards though. Otherwise, great machines. Get the pci-e SSD. 
I got two a few months back from Dell.
Optiplex to be exact.
Have had no issues. 
I have a Intel NUC with a I5 and I don't notice a difference from the desktop computer I use for programs ie: office, web browsing
* It's not for gaming
Can you hook dual monitors up to these
Does the Mac Mini count? If so, I have one and love it. I only use it for simple stuff as I got a lower end model, but I think you can get them with a pretty powerful processor and lots of memory now. Even the lower end model I have is every bit as good a regular desktop. The only drawback IMO is no CD/DVD drive (you could get an external if you really wanted one).
NJstileNJ - Can you hook dual monitors up to these
Yes dual monitors setups can be done the Nuc. The NUC is about the smallest mini PC that you can get it's about the size of two packs of cigarettes
NJstileNJ - Can you hook dual monitors up to these3 if you get it with the extra display port.
NJstileNJ - Can you hook dual monitors up to these
My mac mini only has one HD cable port. Unless there is some sort of splitter or if you can somehow use a USB or firewire port, I think only one monitor on mine.
Lol @ those little bitch computers.
"Performance of a high powered desktop"
Yeah maybe if all you use it for is excel and Netflix. Smfh.
i have an Optiplex 9020 running dual monitors for my work computer. It's about 6" x 6" x 1". I dont know anything about the specs except that it has SSD, but it handles all my work stuff great (OGing, streaming porn, excel, quickbooks, etc...)
Love my Mac mini but I use it as a plex kodi / server for the house
I used to love my Mac Mini before it crashed. Had max Ram a 1TB hard drive and a 256 GB SSD
Furious White Belt - I used to love my Mac Mini before it crashed. Had max Ram a 1TB hard drive and a 256 GB SSD
was that 1TB built in or external?
UGCTT_Messiah - Lol @ those little bitch computers.
"Performance of a high powered desktop"
Yeah maybe if all you use it for is excel and Netflix. Smfh.
One of my roles is to define hardware standards for my company. We have 1600 computers. If you don't count mobile or laptop users, the OptiPlex 7040 micro form factor works for about 97% of our users. Only the CAD users have "better" computers and whether they truly need them is debateable. If you aren't gaming, there is no reason the MFF can't do it. These aren't the old days where you need a mini or full tower with crazy video cards to get a highly capable machine. These little guys rock. We made the switch when Dell gave the option to use the M.2 PCIe SSD. The performance boost was such that we were able to drop from an i7 to an i5 with similar, if not better performance.
All SSD's are not created equal, just want to mention that.
Mac Mini was great til late 2012 when it was quad core i7. The current model is actually less powerful than that one because Apple thought too many creative professionals were going for the Mac Mini instead of their trashcan Mac. Very frustrating.
Phuckles -UGCTT_Messiah - Lol @ those little bitch computers.
"Performance of a high powered desktop"
Yeah maybe if all you use it for is excel and Netflix. Smfh.One of my roles is to define hardware standards for my company. We have 1600 computers. If you don't count mobile or laptop users, the OptiPlex 7040 micro form factor works for about 97% of our users. Only the CAD users have "better" computers and whether they truly need them is debateable. If you aren't gaming, there is no reason the MFF can't do it. These aren't the old days where you need a mini or full tower with crazy video cards to get a highly capable machine. These little guys rock. We made the switch when Dell gave the option to use the M.2 PCIe SSD. The performance boost was such that we were able to drop from an i7 to an i5 with similar, if not better performance.
Exactly the Nuc I have does 4k videos no problem no point in getting a high powered desktop unless you are a serious gamer or have to edit video some people get them for there form factor because of space constrictions or just the look not everybody is the same or has the same needs
I have a 2010 Mac Mini that is awesome. I have it as a backup and it's come in handy many times.