mini PC Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

This DIY Halo console runs games from physical cartridges

The creator has designed a new case that features a cartridge pocket with an eject button, allowing for easy cartridge release while maintaining compatibility with existing cartridges. The device operates with a chip at 45W TDP, has a well-engineered airflow system, and is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced PETG with decorative olive-green panels and orange buttons. The logos are laser-engraved with unique Easter eggs. The console uses distinct firmware on an ESP32 microcontroller to transmit cartridge IDs to a mini PC, launching games seamlessly. An external USB cable is required for the ESP32 connection to the mini PC, which will be addressed in a future version. The case files are available for free on Printables.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

How to Turn Your Idle Home PC into a File Server Using Built-in Windows Features

Many individuals are repurposing older PCs into home file servers, especially those not eligible for the Windows 11 update. This process utilizes built-in Windows features, allowing families to share files across devices without additional software, making it cost-effective since it leverages existing hardware. The setup involves four steps: preparing storage, creating a local account, creating shared folders, and accessing them from other PCs. Guidelines suggest around 500GB for photos and 1TB for videos. Compared to commercially available NAS devices, repurposing a PC incurs virtually no cost, while NAS options range from approximately ¥30,000 to ¥80,000. Performance tests show that mini PCs as file servers can achieve read speeds of about 4.8GB/s and write speeds of around 4.5GB/s on a 2.5GbE network. This method is particularly appealing for older PCs, allowing users to maximize resources rather than discard them, while also addressing the growing demand for efficient file sharing in households. Data backup and security measures are essential considerations when operating a file server.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Unreleased mystery Mini PC with SteamOS and built-in display tested in AAA games

ETA Prime is a YouTube channel focused on technology and gaming, offering content such as hardware reviews, how-to guides, and performance tests. The channel features an approachable host who simplifies complex topics, making technology accessible. It has built a community of tech enthusiasts who engage in discussions and share experiences. ETA Prime also covers emerging trends and industry developments, positioning itself as a trusted source in the tech community. The channel aims to adapt and grow with advancing technology while maintaining high-quality content.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

CachyOS Outperforming Windows 11, Ubuntu & Fedora On AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470

The BOSGAME VTA-439 mini PC features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 Gorgon Point SoC with a 12-core and 24-thread architecture, Radeon 890M integrated RDNA 3.5 graphics, 32GB of dual 16GB DDR5-5600 memory, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. It ships with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and has been benchmarked against Windows 11, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora Workstation 44, and CachyOS to evaluate performance.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

7 Retro-Themed PC Gaming Gadgets Inspired By Iconic Consoles

Retro gaming enthusiasts can enhance their gaming experiences with modern gadgets that merge nostalgia with contemporary technology. The 8BitDo Retro R8 mouse, priced at .99, is designed to resemble the Nintendo Entertainment System and offers Bluetooth, RF Wireless, or wired USB connectivity with a polling rate of 8,000 hertz and a maximum sensor resolution of 26,000 DPI. It comes in three designs: NES, Commodore 64, and original Xbox, and includes a charging dock. The PromoType KeyBoy Advance keyboard, priced at , replicates the Game Boy Advance and requires DIY assembly. It features L and R buttons that are configurable extras and includes a power indicator and speaker grille. The 8BitDo M30 controller, priced at .99, is designed for the Sega Genesis with a six-button layout and compatibility with various devices including PC and Nintendo Switch. The Retro-Bit V2 Wireless Tribute 64 controller, retailing at .99, is optimized for Nintendo 64 games and features improved latency and a classic button layout, compatible with multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, available for .99, features a design reminiscent of the NES, customizable A and B buttons, and supports both wired and wireless connectivity with key remapping options. The Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM02, priced at 9, is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7840HS processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, suitable for retro and contemporary gaming, ideally paired with a CRT display. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick, priced at .99, features a design inspired by the NES, customizable macro options, and supports USB-C wired and wireless connections, allowing easy switching between PC and Nintendo Switch.

BetaBeacon

July 12, 2026

Your living room doesn’t need a Steam Machine when a cheap Android TV box and Moonlight can do better

Moonlight is a combination of apps that allows you to stream games from your gaming PC to your Android TV box. It works well even over Wi-Fi and does not require a powerful TV box since all the games run on your desktop PC. Moonlight is a cost-effective way to enjoy high-end PC gaming on your TV without the need for a new PC or console.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

These are the most popular Prime Day deals according to Windows Central readers — Laptops, mini PCs, storage, monitors, and more are still on sale

- Seagate 2TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: .99 (was 9.99) - Buy at Newegg - Geekom A7 Max mini PC: .15 (was ) - Buy at Best Buy - Microsoft Surface Pro 11: ,199.99 (was ,499.99) - Buy at Walmart - Beelink SER9 Pro: (was ) - Buy at Amazon - Samsung Odyssey G55C: .99 (was .99) - Buy at Amazon - Samsung 990 PRO 2TB: .99 (was .99) - Buy at Amazon - SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: .99 (was .99) - Buy at Amazon - SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: .99 (was .99) - Buy at Amazon - Geekom A8: .65 (was ) - Buy at Amazon

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Steam Machine review: Valve’s underwhelming living-room PC has a serious price problem

The Steam Machine is a compact gaming system measuring 16.5 × 15.5 × 15.3 cm, designed to run SteamOS and provide access to the Steam library while offering a user experience similar to consoles. It features a custom AMD CPU with six cores and twelve threads, 16 MiB of L3 cache, and a maximum clock speed of 4.86 GHz. The system includes 16 GiB of DDR5 memory and a discrete Radeon graphics unit with 8 GiB of GDDR6 video memory based on the Navi 33 architecture, operating with 28 compute units and a power budget of 110 watts. Storage consists of an NVMe drive with approximately 1.9 TB of space and a zram swap of around 7.6 GiB. The Steam Machine runs SteamOS 3.8.9 in its x86-64 version, allowing it to function as either a Linux PC or a gaming interface. Connectivity options include one HDMI 2.0 port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, four USB-A ports, a USB-C port, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its hardware is aligned with PC architecture but lacks the customization options of a bespoke system.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series of press releases

Microsoft has launched the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12, but the announcement lacked a dedicated event or live stream, leaving many potential customers unaware of the new features. The new devices are priced at least 0 higher than their predecessors, though Microsoft is including a complimentary keyboard with the purchase. The business models of Surface PCs include enterprise features for productivity and security, while the consumer version is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite. The Surface Laptop Ultra features NVIDIA's RTX Spark superchip and runs on Windows on Arm. Microsoft has introduced six new Surface devices this year, including a clamshell workstation and a mini PC, with significant innovations from Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm. The Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are considered expensive, prompting some consumers to look for alternatives like the Dell XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite and 32GB of RAM.

Winsage

June 21, 2026

I used Windows 11 exactly the way Microsoft wanted, and it drove me crazy

The author has customized Windows for years, resisting Microsoft's default settings by changing the default browser, decluttering the Start menu, and preventing OneDrive from managing files. Upon acquiring a new mini PC, the author decided to experience Windows 11 with the default settings, allowing OneDrive to manage files and using Windows Search without workarounds. This led to frustration as files saved locally were often stored in OneDrive-synced folders, making the Desktop feel cloud-based. The author also found Windows Search to be cluttered with mixed results and promotional content, which detracted from its utility. The overall experience felt less tailored to personal workflow and more aligned with Microsoft's ecosystem. After three days, the author reverted to their usual practices, adjusting defaults and decluttering the interface, leading to a more user-friendly environment that matched their preferences.