Image: Minisforum
A mini PC can be a great, affordable alternative to a laptop if you don’t need it to be portable, especially now that phones and tablets can handle so much on the go. Today, Minisforum—a long-time favorite in the segment—is offering a refurbished EM680 mini PC for just $279. It’s packed with 32GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a Ryzen processor.
Granted, the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U within the Minisforum EM-series isn’t the newest processor on the block. But with 8 cores and 16 threads, it’s more than enough to handle basic work, browsing, and video duties, and AMD’s integrated graphics are surprisingly great for gaming. You can check out the same setup running on this breakdown of new laptops from 2022, where it puts up some very respectable frames at 1080p—and that’s with less RAM and possibly some limitations for battery.
The EM680 is a seriously mini PC, just 80mm (3.14 inches) square. That’s smaller than a lot of USB docks! The 32GB of RAM has already maxed out its capacity, but you can boost storage with a 2TB M.2 SSD if you want, or just pop in a microSD card. It’s also stacked for ports, including HDMI, double USB-C, three USB-A 3.2 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. This is a lot of PC for under three hundred bucks, despite its tiny footprint.
Minisforum seems to be clearing out its stock, as this model is refurbished and it isn’t available in new form. But Minisforum offers a full year manufacturer warranty on refurb sales, a big improvement over some that only come with 90 days. With a price this low, it might be gone soon.
Get this Minisforum mini PC stacked with 32GB RAM for $270
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.
