What is a mini PC?
A mini PC is a small desktop computer that fits in the palm of a hand or on the back of a monitor. It contains a processor, memory, storage and input and output ports in a compact chassis. Thinvent mini PCs use processors from Intel, AMD and ARM, and they run Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu Linux or Thinux Embedded Linux.
Mini PCs suit offices, kiosks, digital signage, retail point-of-sale, light industrial control and home or small-business desktop work. They take up little desk or mounting space and draw less power than a full tower PC. Most models run quietly because they use small fans or compact cooling designs.
Key specifications
Thinvent mini PCs in this range differ mainly in processor, memory, storage, power adapter and networking:
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Processors: Intel Core i3-1215U, Core 5 120U, Core i5-1335U, Core i7-1255U, Core Ultra 5 125U and Celeron N5095A; AMD Ryzen 5 7430U; ARM Cortex-A55.
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Memory: 4 GB to 16 GB. Aero models use DDR4 or DDR5 RAM. Micro 6 Pro uses 4 GB onboard RAM.
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Storage: 128 GB to 512 GB SSD. Micro 6 Pro uses 32 GB eMMC.
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Power: 12V 7A, 12V 5A, 19V 3A or 5V 2A adapters, depending on the model.
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Networking: Dual Band WiFi or no WiFi, with Dual LAN on selected Aero models. Micro 6 Pro has Dual Antenna WiFi.
Comparison of processor families
| Processor | Cores | Max frequency | Cache | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Celeron N5095A | 4 | 2.9 GHz | 4 MB | Basic office and kiosk tasks |
| Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 4.4 GHz | 10 MB | General office and multitasking |
| Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 4.7 GHz | 12 MB | Heavier multitasking and dual LAN networking |
| AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 6 | 4.3 GHz | 16 MB | Office and graphics-light workloads |
| Intel Core 5 120U | 10 | 5.0 GHz | 12 MB | Demanding desktop work |
| ARM Cortex-A55 | 4 | 1.9 GHz | 1 MB | Embedded and low-power control |
Choosing a mini PC
Choose an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 5 model for everyday office work. Choose a Core i5, Core i7 or Core Ultra model when you need more cores and higher clock speeds. Choose the Celeron N5095A for basic kiosk or display tasks. Choose the Micro 6 Pro for embedded Linux projects that need a small, low-power board.
Thinvent mini PCs
Thinvent has Aero, Treo and Micro 6 Pro mini PCs. Aero models use Intel Core processors, with options for DDR4 or DDR5 memory and dual LAN. Treo models use Intel Celeron and AMD Ryzen 5 processors and run Windows or Ubuntu Linux. Micro 6 Pro uses an ARM Cortex-A55 processor and runs Thinux Embedded Linux. Every model in this range is available in several memory, storage and networking configurations.