When a Nettop is Better Than a Full-Size PC
Nettops have been around for quite some time. But for many years they remained a purely niche product. But recently these devices have become increasingly attractive to a wide range of users – from home enthusiasts and gamers to corporate clients. In this article we will talk about Key aspects of choosing a nettoplet's look at the technical characteristics of current models and talk about potential application scenarios.
So, let's once again define what advantages nettops have:
First of all, it is compactness. The volume of most models does not exceed 1-2 liters, which allows you to place them in almost any space, unlike the bulky system units of full-size PCs. Many nettops can even be mounted on the back wall of the monitor, using the standard VESA mountswhich will completely free up the workspace.
Secondly, energy efficiency. The small size of the nettop forces manufacturers to use mobile processors and economical graphics solutions. Together, these factors determine low power consumption. Many devices in this segment have a power of 10 to 65 W depending on the configuration, which is significantly less compared to traditional desktops, where the processor alone can “eat” 65 W or more.
Thermal Design Power (TDP) – a key parameter for nettops, determining not only energy consumption, but also the requirements for the cooling system. Modern processors for nettopssuch as the Intel Core i5-1240P or AMD Ryzen 5 5600U, have a configurable TDP (cTDP), allowing manufacturers to customize the balance between performance and power efficiency.
Thirdly, noiselessness. Many nettops use low-noise fans or no fans at all, relying on passive cooling. This makes them ideal for quiet offices or home use, where there is absolutely no desire to listen to the monotonous hum of a fan.
Nettop Application Scenarios
Compact size and the stereotype of limited nettop capabilities repels many users and, it must be said, completely in vain. Because there are many scenarios in which computers of this type will show themselves as best as possible.
Home PC
Today, when rooms in new buildings have very small areas, and parents have stopped buying their children the popular “helicopter tables” for computers in the 2000s, the compact size of nettops will play into your hands. The only thing that will take up space in this setup is the monitor. Just choose a model according to your needs. There are many models on sale with fairly powerful hardware, on which you can whip up a presentation, play games, and edit a simple video.
Office computer
The nettop is ideal computer for working with documentsweb surfing and video conferencing. Low power consumption and noiselessness are especially appreciated in the office environment. And the compact size allows you to effectively organize the workspace, which is especially important in small offices.
Thin client
Another scenario for effective use of a nettop is organization of remote workplaces. They can be used to connect to virtual desktops or terminal servers, providing centralized management and increased data security. There are even special nettop modelsintended for use only as a thin client.
Compact workstation
Some nettop models are suitable for professionals working with undemanding graphics applications. High-performance models can be used for working with CAD systems and 3D modeling, offering enough power in a compact form factor.
Budget gaming system
While nettops aren't designed for high-performance gaming, some models with performance APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) are suitable not only for casual games, but also for some modern titles at low or even medium graphics settings.
Educational institutions
Due to their availability and low maintenance costs, entry-level nettops are ideal for equipping computer labs in schools, universities, and other educational institutions. They have sufficient performance for educational tasks with minimal energy and maintenance costs.
Digital Signage & Kiosks
Compactness and reliability make nettops an excellent choice for digital advertising systems and information kiosks. They are capable of functioning 24/7, providing stable content playback with minimal energy consumption, without requiring a lot of space to organize their work.
Where else will a nettop be useful?
Despite the apparent specificity of the nettop segment, in addition to models for conventionally classic usage scenarios, there are a number of special solutions on the market that cover very specific needs. So, in fact, computers of this class can be used for any tasks.
First of all, nettops can become an excellent basis for media centers. These devices are optimized for multimedia playback and often feature HDMI 2.1 to support 4K HDR and high frame rates. Some models, such as the MINISFORUM EliteMini HM80, have a built-in IR receiver for remote control, which is convenient when used as an HTPC (Home Theater PC).
Industrial nettops – a very special segment of computers of this type. They are designed to operate in difficult conditions, with an extended temperature range and increased resistance to vibrations. Models such as the Advantech ARK-1124C often have a fanless design and specialized interfaces, such as RS-232/485 for industrial automation.
Mini PC for edge computing – a relatively new word in the development of nettops. Such devices are primarily designed for processing data on the periphery of the network, often equipped with specialized CPUs or GPUs for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks. An example is the Intel NUC 11 Pro Kit with support Intel Deep Learning Boost.
How to choose a nettop
CPU
The CPU is the key component of any nettop, determining its performance and energy efficiency. But their level depends on the tasks you assign to it.
For basic use, when interaction scenarios do not go beyond working with text, archives and video conferencing, entry-level 4-core processors such as Intel Celeron or Pentium, AMD Athlon. They provide sufficient performance for web surfing, working with office applications and watching videos.
For everyday tasks with presentations, Excel and simple games, more powerful mid-range 4- or 6-core processors are recommended, for example, Intel Core i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen 3/5These CPUs are capable of handling more demanding applications, including light photo and video processing.
For demanding applications, it is worth considering 6-8-core high-performance CPUs such as Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9They deliver maximum performance in a compact form factor, suitable for professional tasks and even light gaming.
When choosing a processor, it is important to consider not only the number of cores, but also the clock speed, overclocking capabilities, cache memory size, and support for virtualization technologies, if necessary for your tasks. It is also worth paying attention to the processor's heat dissipation (TDP), as this affects the overall energy efficiency of the system and cooling requirements.
Graphics
Most modern nettop processors do not have discrete video cards, but rely solely on the video chip integrated into the processor. Here the choice will not be so wide. Therefore, according to the classics, choosing the right solution will depend only on whether you need powerful graphics or not.
Basic integrated GPUs such as Intel UHD Graphics and entry-level AMD Radeon Graphics, are sufficient for office tasks and video playback, including 4K content. These are found in inexpensive nettops in the 25-35 thousand ruble segment, like Chuwi LarkBox X.
Advanced integrated GPUs, which include Intel Iris Xe in next-generation processors and AMD Radeon Vega 7 or 8are suitable for light gaming and graphics work. They are capable of providing comfortable performance in less demanding games and basic photo and video processing tasks. Example – HIPER EXPERTBOX ED20.
Discrete graphics are rare in nettops due to size and power consumption limitations. They are usually reserved for a completely different type of device called a mini-PC, such as Zotac ZBOX-ERP74070C-BE.
RAM
The amount and type of RAM significantly affect nettop performanceespecially when working with multiple applications at the same time. Recommended memory sizes:
Minimum: 8GB is sufficient for basic use and running light applications.
Optimal: 16 GB will provide comfortable operation in most usage scenarios.
For professional use: 32 GB or more is required when working with resource-intensive applications, virtual machines, or when processing large amounts of data.
It is important to consider not only the volume, but also the type of memory (DDR4 or DDR5), as well as the possibility RAM upgrade in the future. Some nettops have soldered memory, which limits expansion options. If you plan to use the integrated graphics intensively, you should choose configurations with dual-channel memory for maximum performance.
Accumulators
The choice of storage device significantly affects the speed of the system and the amount of available storage:
SSD is a must for the system drive, it ensures fast loading of the operating system and applications.
The recommended minimum capacity is 256 GB, but for comfortable work it is better to choose models with 512 GB or more.
It is preferable to choose SSD with NVMe interface for maximum performance.
Additional storage expansion slots (M.2 or 2.5″ SATA) allow you to increase storage capacity in the future.
When choosing a drive, pay attention to the read and write speed, as well as the SSD resource (TBW – Total Bytes Written). For users working with large amounts of data, the ability to install an additional high-capacity hard drive may be useful.
Ports and interfaces
The range of ports and connectivity options determine the flexibility of using nettops:
USB: USB ports are necessary for connecting peripherals. It is desirable to have at least one USB Type-C port for compatibility with modern devices, the rest can be expanded with a USB hub if desired.
DisplayPort/HDMI: Provides image output. But it's not that simple – you also need to make sure your monitor or TV supports the required resolution and refresh rate.
Ethernet: Gigabit or even 2.5G Ethernet (which is available on some models) is preferred for wired network connections to ensure high data transfer rates.
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0: Modern wireless connection standards provide high speed and stability of connection. Please note that not all nettops support, for example, the 5 GHz range.
Some models may also offer additional ports such as Thunderbolt 4 or an SD card reader, which can be useful for professional use or multimedia work.
Upgrade options
Opportunity nettop upgrades can significantly extend its service life. Some models allow you to replace RAM and SSD, which makes it possible to increase the memory or storage capacity in the future. Therefore, pay attention to the availability of free slots and ease of access to internal components. This is rare, and the concept of nettops itself seems to be a little bit not about independent upgrade and assembly. But if there is an opportunity to increase RAM or ROM, then why not take advantage of it.
Cooling system
Effective cooling is critical to maintaining stable operation of nettops. Passive cooling ensures completely silent operation, which is ideal for home media centers or quiet offices. However, it can limit performance under prolonged loads.
Active cooling with the use of fans provides better heat dissipation, allowing you to maintain high performance even under intensive loads. When choosing a model with active cooling, pay attention to the noise level of the fans.
Models with passive cooling – This is great, of course, but too unstable in terms of performance. Such nettops are most often cooled by throttling. Therefore, if the processor is not very powerful, you can run into lags and fps drops.
Nettop price categories
Budget segment (up to 30,000 rubles)
PCs in this segment are suitable for basic tasks such as web surfing, working with documents and watching videos. They have a little RAM and built-in memory, and an entry-level mobile processor with a simple video core is used as the heart. Their price often starts from 14,000 – 15,000 rubles, like Digma Mini Office.
In this segment, you can often find models with passive cooling. But perhaps you shouldn't put this aspect first. After all, even super-energy-efficient Mac mini have an active cooler. It dissipates heat better, which means that the processor can operate longer at maximum frequency without throttling.
Middle segment (30,000-60,000 rubles)
The best choice for most users. Devices in this price range offer a good balance between performance and price. They are capable of handling more demanding tasks, including light gaming and graphics work. In this category, you can find models with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. For example, Rombica Blackbird i5 HX124165D.
High-performance segment (60,000+ RUB)
These PC models are designed for advanced users, tech enthusiasts, and professionals. They are equipped with much more powerful processors, more RAM, and fast SSDs. Some models may include discrete graphics. In this segment, you can find PCs with Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors, 32 GB of RAM or more, and 1 TB or more NVMe SSDs, like Zotac ZBOX-ECM74060C-BE.
Choosing between a nettop and a full-size computer depends on the specific needs of the user. The former are ideal for situations where compactness, energy efficiency and quiet operation are important. Modern models cope well with most everyday tasks, from office work to home entertainment.
At choosing a nettop You should carefully evaluate your performance requirements, taking into account factors such as processor type, amount of RAM, storage type and capacity, and expansion and upgrade options. It is important to remember that the compact size inevitably imposes certain limitations on performance and upgradeability compared to full-size systems.
Nevertheless, modern nettops offer impressive performance in a compact form factor, making them an attractive choice for a wide range of users. As technology advances and more efficient components become available, the performance gap between nettops and traditional desktops continues to narrow, opening up new possibilities for compact computing.
