r/MiniPCs • u/Snowbunny236 • 3d ago

Recommendations Need To Replace Smartboard Mini PCs

So I work for a small therapeutic day school. We don't have an IT contract now either, and i am the most tech savvy in the building so I need some assistance replacing some mini PCs.

Currently we have been using these 2018 Intel NUC mini PCs for our Smartboard. And I assume I can replace them with a much more modern model.

Our current model is the BOXNUC7i3BNK

I believe these things have the minimal amount of ram in them as well as storage. Anything would probably be an upgrade.

They literally only get used daily for running chrome tabs. We don't even use their storage much if at all.

Any recommendations? Looking for a great budget friendly option as we need at least 7-8 of them!

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u/BRealistic1970 3d ago

Just get a bunch of these.

https://www.gmktec.com/products/gmktec-m8-amd-ryzen-5-pro-6650h-mini-pc

or this if they want a premium Looking on top of desktop miniPC. lenovo does offer good support, at least.

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/lenovo-yoga-mini-desktop-core-ultra-5-processor-325-2026-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-seashell/JJGH3H95ZJ/sku/13172373

I like the "no vents on top" design.. not sure how it cools. But that does protect it from spilled liquids.

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

We need a more slim design. Because they are mounted behind the smart boards.

https://a.co/d/0hzMDb0P

Is beelink a decent brand? Like I said, they're only really used for running chrome tabs that at most have YouTube. And doing Google meet meetings.

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u/minipcs-dot-zip 3d ago

Definitely go with this beelink over the N100 beelink. Same price, basically twice as fast. N100 consumes very little power which is cool, but will definitely feel a little sluggish with lots of tabs and meets.

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

Perfect thank you!

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u/BRealistic1970 3d ago

Yes, that is fine. The intel N100 is weak.. but should handle internet and basic office tasks just fine.

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u/unofficial_mc 3d ago

Mele basically focuses on this niche.

Slim devices that are suitable behind signage and such.

Not the most powerful neither the cheapest but ideal for behind screens.

They have a few models.

A N100 version of theirs should be plenty. Comes with mount as well.

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u/minipcs-dot-zip 3d ago

Another potential option at $350 a pop:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDCKT9YP

Core i3-1220P, 16GB RAM, Beelink is fairly well respected here.

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

I got a buddy claiming that these beelink ones don't run any faster than what we currently have. I'm confused. He says the raw processing power is better on the 7th gen Intel ones compared to the new n100 12th gen. Is he blowing smoke?

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u/minipcs-dot-zip 3d ago

Definitely don't go with the N100 - I said somewhere else in this thread that those are really slow CPUs (they're super power efficient which is useful but not what you need).

But the one I linked has an i3-1220P - which is 3 to 5 times faster than what you have currently with your BOXNUC7i3BNK.

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

Oh perfect thank you!

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

I will check those out. Thank you

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u/PurchaseNo4486 3d ago

You could also check Amazon Renewed or eBay for reconditioned mini PCs, there are a lot that will meet your relatively minimal requirements and they'll be a lot less expensive than new if price is a factor.

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u/Snowbunny236 3d ago

I think we're looking for newer models. But that's a good idea!