Tips from China: Miniature PCs with Windows 11 starting from 1,500 CZK

A large tower under the desk is no longer the only way to a functional computer. In today’s Tips from China, we’ll look at mini PCs that take up the space of a coffee mug, consume ridiculously little energy, and yet can handle most common tasks. From watching Netflix to office work to a light home server – let’s show when they make sense and what to watch out for.

Who are mini PCs suitable for?

Forget gaming machines or video editing workstations. Mini PCs have their target audience clearly defined – they are for people who don’t need brutal performance but want to save space and electricity. Typical use? A computer for grandma for Facebook and YouTube, an office machine for Word and Excel, a media center for the TV, or perhaps a simple server for a smart home.

The main advantage is consumption around 10-20 watts compared to 100+ watts of a typical desktop. Over a year of 24/7 operation, you’ll save thousands of crowns on electricity. Moreover, they are practically silent – no noisy fans to disturb you while watching movies.

But beware, not all mini PCs are created equal. The biggest trap lies in the type of storage and processor. Let’s go through four specific models from the cheapest to the most powerful.

Teclast N10 – entry gate for 1,488 CZK (but with a catch)

For under fifteen hundred crowns, you get the Teclast N10 with an Intel N4000 processor, 6 GB RAM, and Windows 11 Pro. Sounds great, right? But the devil is in the details – that 128 GB of storage is not SSD, but slow eMMC.

What does that mean in practice? Windows will run, but booting will take a long time, launching programs will resemble the era of hard drives, and you can comfortably make coffee while installing updates. For grandma who opens a browser and watches videos, it’s enough. For anything more, it’s not.

The advantages include compact dimensions of 120×120×40 mm and a weight of just 250 grams. The VESA mount included means you can screw it behind your monitor and have a perfectly tidy desk. Connectors? Basic equipment – HDMI, VGA (for older monitors), 3× USB 3.2, and a microSD card reader.

Verdict: Acceptable for the price, but only for undemanding use. eMMC storage is a significant bottleneck.

Price: 1,488 CZK

MLLSE M2 Air – the golden mean for 1,905 CZK

For a few hundred crowns more, you get the MLLSE M2 Air, which solves the main problem of the cheaper Teclast – it has a real M.2 SATA SSD. Although it’s just SATA, not NVMe, it’s still a huge leap compared to eMMC.

The Intel N4000 processor is the same as in the Teclast, but the 6 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD make Windows 11 usable for everyday work. Reddit is full of satisfied users who run Home Assistant, Plex server on it, or use it as a backup computer.

Connectivity is solid – 3× USB 3.2, HDMI (unfortunately only 4K@30Hz), VGA, and gigabit Ethernet. Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 is a nice bonus compared to cheaper models with slow 2.4GHz connectivity. Consumption stays around 10W during normal use.

Verdict: Best price/performance ratio for undemanding users. SSD makes a huge difference.

Price: 1,905 CZK

MLLSE G2 Pro – modern foundation for 2,861 CZK

Here we are talking about a different league. The MLLSE G2 Pro with an Intel N150 processor is the first in our selection to use modern LPDDR5 RAM – specifically, a full 12 GB. Combined with a 512GB NVMe SSD, this is a computer that can handle even more demanding multitasking.

The Intel N150 is a generation newer than the N4000 and offers up to 30% higher performance with the same power consumption. Reviewers report smooth 4K video playback, seamless operation with dozens of open browser tabs, and even light photo editing.

A huge advantage is support for three monitors simultaneously – HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C with video support. For office work or trading, this is an ideal setup. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 are standard, as is Windows 11 Pro included in the price.

Users in reviews mainly praise the quiet operation and low power consumption around 10-20W. One owner writes: “I use it 24/7 as a server for Home Assistant and files, with two 1TB drives connected via USB. It runs reliably and silently.”

Verdict: Excellent choice for home office or a light server. 12 GB RAM is a luxury in this price category.

Price: 2,861 CZK

SOYO M4PLUS2 – a premium piece for 3,975 CZK

At the top of our offer stands the SOYO M4PLUS2 with 16 GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It uses the same Intel N150 processor as the cheaper G2 Pro, but double the RAM makes a difference during more demanding use.

SOYO is a respected brand among Chinese manufacturers – one user recalls: “I used their motherboards years ago and never had a problem.” The build quality is at a higher level than with cheaper models, which translates into long-term reliability.

With 16 GB RAM, you can comfortably virtualize – some users report seamless Proxmox operation with several VMs. For developers or IT professionals who need a testing environment, this is an interesting choice.

Verdict: Overpriced for general use, but ideal for specific needs like virtualization or more demanding multitasking.

Price: 3,975 CZK

What to watch out for when buying?

The biggest trap is the storage type. eMMC = slow as a snail, SATA SSD = usable, NVMe SSD = ideal. The price difference is minimal, but the speed difference is huge.

The second thing is unrealistic expectations. Marketing sometimes promises a “gaming computer”, but Intel N4000 or N150 is really not for gaming. At most, some retro titles or 2D indie games.

The third trap is cooling. Cheaper models rely on passive cooling, which leads to throttling during long-term load. If you plan 24/7 operation, choose models with active cooling or expect lower performance.

Verdict: When do mini PCs make sense?

Mini PCs from China are not for everyone, but for the right target audience, they are brilliant. If you need a computer for basic office work, watching videos, a light server, or simply saving space and electricity, for 2-3 thousand crowns, you get a full-fledged machine with Windows 11.

My recommendation? The MLLSE G2 Pro for 2,861 CZK offers the best compromise between price and performance. Intel N150, 12 GB RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD can handle 99% of common tasks and will last you for years.

Do you use a mini PC? What are your experiences?