3 Mac Mini alternatives compared

In this practical tip, you will learn what alternatives there are to the Mac Mini. In the following article, we present the best three in comparison.

The performance of the Mac Mini at a glance

Depending on the type of use, a different device is suitable. Read what the Mac Mini can do in the following section.

1. The price of the Mac Mini starts at 519 euros (as of November 22, 2014). Since it is an Apple device, Mac OS X is preinstalled. If you insist on Windows or another Linux distribution, you can set it up indirectly.
2. The Mac Mini has a 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor. If you want to spend about twice, you get 2.8 GHz.
3. The standard memory starts at 4 GB. Depending on your needs, you can upgrade up to 16 GB. The hard disk space is between 500 and 1000 gigabytes. A second 2.5-inch hard drive can be installed in older models (Late 2013 and older).
4. The cheapest version of the Mac Mini includes an Intel HD Graphics 5000. More expensive models have the Intel Iris Graphics.
5. The weight is just under 1.2 kilograms and the dimensions are around 20 x 20 x 3.5 cm.
6. As for the connections, an HDMI output, two Thunderbolts, four USB 3.0 connections, a mini display port and the card slot are noteworthy in addition to standards such as the headphone connection.

Gigabyte Brix Pro: Mac mini alternative for hobbyists and gamers

If you like to screw on your PC, you will have fun with the Gigabyte Brix Pro. The barebone model 2.5 "hard disk, RAM

1. The price is slightly higher at just under 550 euros (as of November 22, 2014). By default, no operating system is preinstalled because, as described in point 3, no hard drive is installed.
2. The i7 processor with 3.2 GHz is particularly suitable for gaming, as well as for complex image and video editing.
3. You install the RAM yourself, as does the hard disk. For the latter, a 2.5-inch slot as well as an S-ATA and an mS-ATA connection are installed.
4. The Intel Iris Pro 5200 (OnBoard) graphics card can also hold its own for the Mac Mini.
5. The Gigabyte Brix Pro weighs 1.8 kilograms and is smaller than the Mac Mini with 11.4 x 10.8 x 4.3 cm.
6. Like the Mac Mini, the Gigabyte Brix Pro includes four USB 3.0 ports, a mini display port and an HDMI output.

The Mini PC from CSL as an alternative to Mac Mini

The next alternative impresses with a fast hard drive and preinstalled operating system.

1. You get the Mini-PC from CSl at a price of 599 euros. If necessary, select or deselect certain components. Windows 7 Home Premium is pre-installed.
2. The Intel Core i5 with 1.3 GHz guarantees you constant work without stuttering.
3. At a price of around 600 euros, the mini PC has 5 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 120 GB SSD hard drive.
4. The graphics card is the same as the Mac Mini described above.
5. The device weighs 1.6 kg with dimensions of 11.6 x 11.2 x 3.5 cm.
6. The CSL mini PC includes mini HDMI, a mini display port, two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports. There is also a PS-2 interface.

The affordable multimedia alternative to the Mac Mini

If you do not need an SSD and would like to save on price, you may opt for the ASUS Vivo VC60.

1. For the cheapest option, you pay around 430 euros (as of November 22, 2014) without an operating system.
2. The i5 processor from Intel with 2.5 GHz does a good job when used with the ASUS Vivo as a media PC.
3. Four GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive are sufficient for the usual office applications. If you invest a little more in the device, you will get an SSD hard drive and additional RAM.
4. The Intel HD 4000 onboard graphics card has to nibble on games, but is well suited for everyday use.
5. The device weighs a little less than a kilogram and has dimensions of 19 x 5.6 x 19 cm.
6. You can expect four USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 interfaces. The ASUS Vivo VC60 also has HDMI and mini display port.