I7 is nice but if the number of cores is the same an I-5 will put you within 10% of the same performance for less$$$, usually i-5 are in less demand, because everybody thinks they need an i-7 but unless you are doing 3d rendering or video work ( and you proably need a dedicated GPU for that as well) you won't really see the difference for the money spent.

more ram is better 16gb minimum - ram is cheap now, buy some. Basically more cores, recommend 4 , and more ram allows more vst to work more better.

at least that has been my experience for music software..

 

I use a mini and it's great- except yes, the fan will get quite loud if you're hammering it. Not a problem for me but something to consider.

 

there are very low noise case fans available for replacements, also you put the computer in a closet or other room and use a kvm device to extend the keyboard,mouse,video and usb ports into the room where your monitors and other gear is located. These use a
cat 5 cable to tether the kvm dock to the pc so can be up to 60 meters away from each other

 

Top 119 largest Taiwanese Companies in the Computer Hardware industry

From the list in the above link, you will notice/recognize many of the company names that offer SFF & Mini PCs. The better equipped mini PCs perform as well as the top Laptops for a third to half of the price.

Just make sure the unit has enough modern features to last a while and/or maintain a decent resale price if needed.

Things to look for could be:

• Case with adequate size for good/proper heat dissipation
• Enough ports to not require a dock or hub for normal use
• CPU with a minimum of 8 cores
• Internal storage expansion 2.5 SSD, NVMe (PCIe Gen 3.0 /4.0) or both
• 64 GB RAM
• USB 3.2 Gen 2
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
• USB 4/Thunderbolt
• HDMI 2.1
• DisplayPort 2.0/2.1

 

cpu with 8 cores is a bit much for me, but maybe someday, however probably more important is socketed upgradeable CPU, if the CPU is soldered to the motherboard, no upgrade without a soldering lab with microscope and hot-air smd solder/desoldering station.

Audio processing is much less cpu intensive than video editing, CAD and photo editing especially AI uprezzing of sd video etc.
the Beatles did most of their best stuff on a 386 running dos 6.1 - don't shoot for the moon, limitations are what give our imagination channels in which to do their magic.

 

You be tripping, brother, The Beatles broke up in 1969 and recorded to tape. PC-MOS/386 was created in 1986 and released to the public the next year.

 

I think you're the one that's tripping- they literally just came out with a new song last week!! And clearly it sounds like it was recorded in GarageBand or something.

 

@Garamondo Furbish you just joined yesterday, so I'll give you benefit of doubt as any new user, seeing your posts across multiple threads around forums here, for ex. here,
there's actually some good ideas, some not so much,
13th gen i5 is WAY better than any 4th gen you suggest, and 4th gen i7 with 8 threads is way better than 4th gen i5 with 4 threads,
sure DDR3 RAM is dirt cheap, especially noteworthy to those old platforms, but also let's not forget NVME SSDs are not supported as bootable devices on those old 4th gen Intel cpus,
USB 3.0 speeds are by no means better than NVME or even SATAIII, no idea where you got that, basic old PCIe 3.0 NVME is multiple times faster than any SATA SSD, period.
speaking of RAM, do note consumer cpus are usually limited to 32GB ram, and frankly more isn't worth it for most audio workloads anyway,
suggesting USFF over SSF is worth a discussion, with tiny USFF you get no real PCIe slots and no desktop-tier RAM support mostly, while connectivity is barely on par and power delivery is non-standard anyway, I wouldn't recommend USFF even from thermal performance capacity, portability being only relevant concern,
DVD drive being more of a relict nowadays, I'd agree motherboard connectivity can be used for additional SATA HDD/SSD instead, better get cheap USB external DVD drive for occassional use,
last but not least, there's Windows 11 which isn't officially supported on anything older than 8th gen Intel, not a dealbreaker but definitely bit of headache on older platforms like HP 800 G1 series using 4th gen Intel again, not even mentioning TPMv2 and UEFI BIOS with SecureBoot

 

I think you mistake the quest for the goal. My quest is not to own the bestest ever computer, my quest is to create and produce music as simply and easily and as inexpensively as possible. I have the wherewithal to purchase a Fender Stratocaster or 2, but I don't own one, instead I own an Ibanez, a yamaha, and a Squier, all of which combined didn't cost what a fender strat goes for.

No one who's heard any of my recordings has ever said, "hey that's a Squier, not a fender Strat!!" and nobody has ever said upon hearing said song, "hey thats a 4th generation i5 not a 13th generation!!!" either.

I don't need a porsche, when a chevy will do. Too many people become too hung up on GAS and never get around to making any music. I don't want to become one of those people. A computer is a tool, does a hammer become less useful because a newer hammer was made?

Being a musician allows me to not think like everyone else, not dress like everyone else, and not do what every one else does.
If we are all the same what is the point of there being so many of us, when all are clones? Likewise why does everybody need the same computer?

I think for you, your choices probably work well and have made you happy. I walk a different path and it too brings me joy.

Its like Grandpa said, "Everybody likes something different. And its a good thing too, otherwise everybody would be after Grandma!!"

 

All I know is what i read in the paper, and theys said ms-dos..

here's Paul learning how to format a 5.25" single sided floppy

 

https://www.amazon.com/msecore-Computer-Processor-i7-1165G7-Graphics/dp/B0B8GWG95J/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=fanless+mini+pc+i7&sr=8-10&th=1

This is mine since one year, cheap and powerful enough for an average audio/video production
Absolutely NO noises (the problem now is that sometimes I forget that is on and I swtch it off accidentally...)

 

for barebone I would pick AMD, since less thermal issues

 

https://www.geekom.co.uk/geekom-min...cNFxsXAEwguifT4pl1ttnlP8u6iDrSARoCVH0QAvD_BwE

I9 + 32gb ram + 2tb SSD for £699

 

Like many said previously, they are just laptops with different form factor. I would go with used ASRock Deskmini.

 

indeed, can't argue about that
still I would be cautious about purchasing very old PC/parts nowadays, their lifespan isn't forever
(I still use some old 3rd/4th gen Intel stuff, just wouldn't dare to sell it as I couldn't give any warranty at all)

 

I own an older version of DeskMini and are really satisfied by it. Newer versions are even more cool. So I second this recommendation.

 

You are wanting a true Intel NUC then. The up-gradable NUC(s) were on the pricey side new. Have no idea what a used unit is demanding.

 

Personally I went with Macbook instead of Ryzen desktop build because I truly wanted mobile solution and change, getting Mini PC/Mac Mini wouldn't change anything, instead of tower being under the table, I could now put it on the table, still forced to sit in the same place to make music and do things absolutely the same way.

If you are using laptop like it's desktop solution, than it makes much more sense to get the desktop, even makes more sense to get proper desktop, again, it takes same space essentially on the floor as if you would put that mini thing, but difference in performance is well worth it, you already sacrificed mobility, so it's kinda non issue really. Personally I don't see much point in those Mini PC's, especially if they aren't dead silent and performance is compromised by form factor. YMMV and all that

 

But if someone does that they'll just be here screaming "MAC VERSION PLEEEZE" on every release thread and getting banned.

 

I recommend a SFF PC for audio production PC. Go with an i7/i9 LENOVO - nothin' but glorious compact, sleek power! I love mine! I'm using an i7 7700 16GB ram. I liked it so much compared to DELL or HP, that I bought a 32GB ram i9 10900 LENOVO SFF.