Best nettop – cool mini desktop PCs with good value for money

Bulky desktop computers are getting less and less popular every year. Nobody wants to have a huge case and a power-hungry PC in the house anymore, unless they need such a power-horse for work or leisure (gaming).

Many of those owning a desktop 5 years ago are now laptop users, but if they need a decently powerful computer that won’t be carried around and will be used for everyday and multimedia activities, nettops are right now the best choice they can make. In this post you’ll learn what is a nettop, what are they best for and what are the best options for such devices available right now. Read the next paragraphs for more details.

Add a display and you've got a full working computer

So, what is a nettop? It’s a mini computer usually no bigger than a standard book, powerful enough to run all your daily tasks and also all kinds of multimedia content modern society offers, while being affordable. Most of the times it comes with wireless connectivity and can be mounted on the back of a display or a LCD/plasma TV, becoming almost invisible. Control is possible via remote or with a set of wireless keyboard+mouse.

Many already own a mini nettop PC and more are leaning towards them everyday. But, while they are perfect for a standard computer in case you don’t have too many expectations (browsing and streaming online content, editing documents, watching HD movies, photos, chatting, listening to music, etc), most buyers use them as computers for kids or as HTPCs (Home Theater PCs).

HPTCs are devices meant to store and output content on a bigger display. They are suitable for playing self-stored content, for streaming it from online sources, for accessing the Internet directly on your TV (if it comes with such feature) or for recording and storing your favorite shows so you can enjoy them later (just like a TiVO).

Now that we know what is a nettop, I’m going to tell you what are the devices considered best in this class right now. This is not a top, each of the PCs listed in here are good but they come with different features and price ranges. They’ve been selected based on my experience with them, reviews from expert sources and opinions from the regular users who bought them and shared their reviews on big webstores and forums.

I’ve divided these mini computers in two different categories: barebones and full working nettops and you can read about both these classes bellow.

Barebones – customize your nettop

Barebones are computers without memory, storage drives and an OS. They’ve got all the other things except for these and that’s because you’ll be able to choose memory and HDD/SSD and put them in there yourself, thus saving money (if you already own these for instance) or getting to easier customize your computer to your own licking.

If that’s not what you want, skip to the second part of this post were we speak about fully functional mini PCs.

The best barebone nettops right now come with an Atom dual-core processor and an Nvidia ION 2nd generation graphic chip. You can pick between a couple of different products, but based on reviews and marks, these are the most solid options:

• Zotac Mag HD-ID11 which comes with an Atom D510 dual-core  processor clocked at 1.66 GHz and Nividia ION 2 . You also get all the standard goodies, including 7.1 sound card, HDMI and DVI output , 6 USB slots, Wireless N, Fast Ethernet 10/100. Best part about this one is the price, as you can find it these days for around $180, with a big 70 bucks discount (offer might not last long though).
• Zotac Mag HD-ID40 – the more powerful version of the one above, with an Atom dual-core D525 processor clocked at 1.83 GHz. Increased speed is a plus but there is no big difference over the other version, especially since this one goes for around $230, so is considerably more expensive.
• Shuttle XS35GT – another solid barebone you can find on the market these days, with same Atom D510 and Nvidia ION graphics. However, it comes with a fan-less design so will be quieter . Notice however that you get no DVI output, only HDMI. Price goes for around 239.99 these days, with a slight discount and Free Shipping.

All solutions are great for some small video streaming and playing devices. The Zotac devices are cheaper, but the Shuttle comes with a fanless design. Also, you should know there’s a bright blue LED on the Zotac machines and it can be bothering unless you’re planing to hide your device behind a big screen TV.

And remember, these are not fully working computers, as they lack memory, storage drives and an OS. For those, see the rest of the article after the picture below.

The Zotacs look good and are cheap, but the quiter and less intrusive Shuttle is probably the better barebone here

Nettops – fully functional mini computers

Here are the actual nettops, with everything they need inside the case. Some come with mouse and keyboard included, some don’t. Still, you get a bunch of different options to choose from, based on your performance requirements, features needed and available budget.

All of course highly recommended products with good reviews from regular users and tech journalists.

Acer AspireRevo R3700 – top price/features ratio right now – from $344.99

Based on reviews and marks received, if you want a small mini computer right now, the Acer AspireRevo R3700 should be your top pick for the money.

Acer AspireRevo R3700 offer best price/features ratio on a nettop

It comes with powerful Intel Atom D525 processor and latest generation Nvidia ION graphics, 2 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive and Windows 7 Home Premium OS. In terms of connectivity, you get both Wireless N and Gigabit Ethernet LAN. As for ports, there’s pretty much all you’ll need, with 6 USBs, HDMI and VGA, headphone and SPDIF optical audio and card-reader. Plus, you get a wireless keyboard and a mouse and the nettop can be mounted on your desk with the little foot provided, or behind a screen, as it is VESA compatible.

All in all, will be able to play any type of content on this one, including self-stored 1080P and streamed HD clips from Youtube, Netflix or Hulu. Plus you can connect it to your local network and Internet and use it as a HTPC for your living room entertainment system.

Only important features you could miss are an USB 3.0 port and an optical unit (cnd connect a DVD or Blu-ray one via USB), but what you get is enough for most users, especially given the price: only $344.99 with Free Transport included as well. See this link for extra details, review, pics and the option to buy one if you want to.

Zotac ZBOX nettops – the complete solutions – from $359

Zotac are known for their tiny computers and barebones and as expected, they also offer good fully operational nettops. There are three options that I can recommend, based on your needs and budget. All of them come with Wireless N and Gigabit LAN connectivity, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, SPDIF, DVI and HDMI (+VGA with adapter) and card reader. But there are some things that differ from version to version, as we have:

• Zotac Zbox unit with Intel Atom D525 1.83 GHz processor and Nvidia ION, plus 2 GB of memory, 250 GB storage and Optical DVD-RW unit , for only $359 right now (with after-rabate discount and Free Shipping) - see details
• same Zbox unit above, but with a Blu-ray player, goes for around $500 bucks - see details
• Zotac Zbox unit with AMD Zacate E-350 APU on board and Blu-ray player for around $520 bucks - see details

Click the links next to each model for more information, pictures, reviews from users and the option to buy one of those yourself.

You have to know that these Zotac Zbox units are a little bulkier than other nettops in this top, but that’s because they come with included optical units. You’ll notice the fancy design and that the blue LED light on the body can be turned OFF by unchecking an option in BIOS, unlike on previous generation Zbox devices. Also, you also get latest generation technology, like eSata III and USB 3.0 ports.

Both the Atom D525 and the Zacate e-350 units will be able to deal with any type of content you might throw at them, with the AMD platform being a little bit more powerful.

Zotac Zboxes - complete solutions with a fair price tag

Zotac MAG – $299 $268 – the cheap pick

Zotac MAG mini nettop

The Zotac MAG nettop packs powerful hardware as well, with the dual core D330 ATOM CPU and Nvidia ION, plus 2 GB of RAM and 160 GB storage space.

These make it a great HTPC, completed by the fact that it can be installed behind a screen with the included VESA mount system and it comes with Wi-Fi N and Gigabit LAN, allowing it to easily connect to your Home Network or the Internet. You’ll also get 6 USB ports, DVI and HDMI, SPDIF audio and a card-reader.

This Zotac MAG mini laptop is also one of the cheapest good nettops you’ll find on the market, as it sells for only $268 (with Free Shipping). The fact that it lacks an OS or accessories like keyboard/mouse are part of the explanation. Plus, it comes with the older generation Atom CPU + ION hardware, so it is less (but not considerable) powerful than some of the other devices in here (should play all types of 720P content flawlessly, self-stored or streamed, but might have problems dealing with some types of Full HD files).

Asus EEE Box EB1501P – fancy complete nettops – $519 $504.99

Asus couldn’t be left out of this list. This EEEBox EB1501P is right now their best nettop in terms of features, managing to out-beat all the other devices presented above. But it comes with an appropriate price also.

There’s a dual-core Atom D525 processor inside this one and Nvidia ION graphics, plus 2 GB of RAM (single module) and 320 GB storage space. Wi-Fi N connectivity and USB 3.0 slots are present as well, alongside the Windows 7 Home Premium OS. And, unlike any other nettop in here, you get an internal DVD-RW optical unit on this one.

As accessories, you get the standard wireless keyboard/mouse (slightly more comfortable than the ones of the Acer), the VESA mounting system and a remote control.

As for build quality and looks, it’s pretty obvious this Asus is way better looking than most of the other devices above, with its metallic curvy chase and premium design. Of course, if you don’t want it on your desk, you can easily mount it behind the display via the VESA system.

All these come with a price, like i said: $519 only $504.9 right now, with Free Shipping. I definitely like it and it for sure offers more options than most of the other options in here, while also looking better. However, performance levels are more-or-less on par with its cheaper competitors, thus it’s just up to you if this Asus EEEBox EB1501P is worth that kind of money or not.

And of course, if you want to save some bucks, Asus also offer the EB1012P EEE Box, with a slightly slower Atom D510 processor and no optical unit, for just under $400. Get more details about this nettop, including pictures and user reviews, via this link.

Asus EEEBox EB1501 - the best of all, but with a proper price

Apple Mac Mini – the next level – from $664.99

You might argue that the Mac Mini is not really a nettop and shouldn’t be included in here, but if you’re looking for a powerful and compact computer, this is also an option you have to consider if you don’t mind spending $600+ for it. Yes, this is a Mac and it ain’t cheap. But it is incredibly solid built and offers good hardware and features in a tiny body.

Pictures speak for themselves on the looks and the device measures 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches and weighs just 3 pounds. Casing is of course made from aluminum.

Inside there’s a Core 2 Duo processor clocked at 2.4 GHz, 2 GB of memory, 320 GB storage space and Nvidia 320M GT graphic chip which will greatly out-power all the devices presented above. While the above can handle the functions of a HTPC with ease as well, this is capable of more and can perform as an everyday computer for most of you, even if you want to run apps like a photo or video editor and even if you want to play some games (just don’t expect latest titles to run OK on this). On the back you get 4 USB 2.0 slots, FireWire, card-reader, mini DisplayPort and HDMI output. And there’s also Wireless N, Gigabit LAN and Bluetooth, plus an optical DVD-RW unit.

Prices start at $699 for the Mac Mini configured as mentioned above, but you can find it online discounted, for only $664.99 with Shipping included. You might say that is expensive, but if you’ll actually take a look at the specs and features and consider you get all these in a tiny box, you’ll conclude that the Mac Mini is a great device. Reviews and marks from buyers and experts also stand as proof of that.

Apple Mac Mini - the fancy and powerful compact desktop computer

Wrap-up

That’s about it with our list of best nettops at the moment. You can see that we’ve added a bunch of options that should meet the expectations and budget of most of you guys reading this post.

If you want to save some money and already got parts at home, you can pick a barebone. The AspireREvo AR3700 is the perfect pick if you want a HTPC for your home and don’t want to spend a fortune on it. The Zotac Zboxes and the Asus EEE Boxes are complete nettops with optical units and latest generation features, but prices rise around the 500 bucks mark. Last but not least, if you want a compact computer for more than just video streaming/playing and plan to spend $600+ on it, the Apple Mac Mini is a powerful and worthy option as well.

Of course, in this domain, things change fast, thus I’ll update this post as soon as new interesting products become available.

Hopefully, my post was useful and after reading it you managed to learn more on these nettop mini computers in order to take the right decision whether they are what you’re looking for or not. Of course, you can always ask for help via a comment if you have questions or care for more details on some aspects.

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Tags: Aspire Revo, Asus EEEBox, nettop, powerful nettops, Zotac

Last updated: October 27, 2011 | Published: September 4th, 2011 | See the comments or add yours!