Best Mini Barebone PCs of 2026

Harvey Wall Avatar
Harvey Wall
Last Updated: 4 Feb 2026

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Mini Barebone PCs are compact and customizable computer systems that offer great performance in a small package. These PCs come without a hard drive, memory or operating system, allowing users to customize their system to their specific needs. Mini Barebone PCs are ideal for those who require a powerful and versatile machine without taking up too much space on their desk or in their home. These systems are perfect for a range of applications, including home entertainment, office work, and even light gaming. With their small footprint and ability to be easily upgraded, Mini Barebone PCs are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful yet compact computing solution.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

MINISFORUM MS-01 Mini Workstation with Intel i9 Cover #TOP 1
MINISFORUM MS-01 Mini Workstation with Intel i9
ftb score rating icon 9.9
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Ryzen 9 Mini PC Cover #TOP 2
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Ryzen 9 Mini PC
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Intel NUC 12 Wall Street Canyon Mini PC Cover #TOP 3
Intel NUC 12 Wall Street Canyon Mini PC
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 3 Mini Barebone PCs

#TOP 1

MINISFORUM MS-01 Mini Workstation with Intel i9

NAB9
Black
MINISFORUM MS-01 Mini Workstation with Intel i9 Cover
MINISFORUM MS-01 Mini Workstation Barebone with Intel Core i9-13900H (vPro Enterprise Support) Mini PC,2x 10Gbps SFP+/2x 2.5G RJ45/2x USB4/HDIM/1x PCIe4.0x16 slot/Support 3x M.2 2280/22110/U.2 SSD

The MINISFORUM MS-01 Workstation is powered by the Intel 13th Generation Core i9 13900H processor, offering exceptional performance for both gaming and work. With a remarkable network capability, it features 2x 10Gbps SFP+ and 2x 2.5G RJ45 ports, enabling rapid data transfer for efficient file uploads and access. Its enterprise-grade storage supports up to 3x M.2 NVME SSDs, allowing you to enjoy quick access to your files while ensuring data security. Additionally, the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot provides the flexibility to enhance performance with high-performance external devices.

What We Like
High-performance Intel Core i9
Exceptional network speed
Supports multiple SSDs
Expandable with PCIe slot

MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Ryzen 9 Mini PC

UM890 Pro
Black
UM890 Pro(0+0)
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Ryzen 9 Mini PC Cover
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC Barebone with AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (up to 5.2GHz) Mini Computers Mini Desktop Quad Display HDMI/DP1.4/USB-C, AMD Radeon 780M/Dual LAN 2.5G

The MINISFORUM UM890 Pro is a powerful mini PC featuring the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, ideal for multitasking and gaming. With support for up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM, you can run multiple applications smoothly without performance issues. Its advanced quad-screen display capability allows you to connect multiple monitors, enhancing your productivity with high-resolution output. Additionally, the extensive range of peripheral interfaces ensures that you can easily connect various devices, making it a versatile option for your computing needs.

What We Like
High-performance processor
Supports large memory expansion
Quad-screen display capability
Multiple connectivity options
#TOP 3

Intel NUC 12 Wall Street Canyon Mini PC

NUC12WSHI70000 0GB+0GB
Black
NUC12WSHi7 0GB+0GB
Intel NUC 12 Wall Street Canyon Mini PC Cover
(ASUS NUC) Intel NUC 12 Pro Mini PC, Core i7-1260P (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7GHz) Desktop PC Computer, NUC 12 i7 Barebone Mini Computer NUC Support 8K UHD/WiFi 6E/BT 5.3/Thunderbolt 4/no RAM&SSD

The Intel NUC 12 Mini PC offers impressive performance with its 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1260P processor, featuring 12 cores and 16 threads, ensuring smooth multitasking for your daily tasks. Its powerful capacity allows for flexible storage expansion, enabling you to customise your system according to your needs. With support for multi-screen displays, you can enhance your workspace by connecting multiple monitors for a more productive environment. The interface-rich design provides a variety of connection options, making it easy to connect all your peripherals.

What We Like
Strong performance with i7 processor
Flexible storage expansion options
Supports multi-screen displays
Rich interface connectivity
Quiet, low-power operation
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a mini barebone PC?

A barebone is a mini PC which isn't quite finished yet. The missing parts are RAM, a hard drive or SSD, and an operating system. As a result, you decide how to set it up and you can build anything from a basic media player to a powerful barebone PC for graphic design.

2. Is mini PC good for gaming?

While AMD's processors are arguably better than Intel's when it comes to gaming, the world of mini PCs isn't great for gamers. Even powerful mini PCs struggle to run the latest games well. So if you're an avid gamer, we'd suggest you avoid a mini PC as the experience just won't be good enough to justify the investment.

3. What is a mini PC called?

A nettop (or miniature PC, Mini PC or Smart Micro PC) is a small-sized, inexpensive, low-power, legacy-free desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as web browsing, accessing web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback. The word nettop is a portmanteau of network and desktop.

4. How long do mini PCs last?

Yes, Mini PCs are good and they are fast enough to do regular routine tasks and even for gaming. They have ports to connect monitors, keyboards, and a mouse. They can last up to 2 to 3 years depending on your use. You can consider upgrading their part in case of any issue instead of buying another PC.

Editor's Notes

During our mini barebone pc research, we found 234 mini barebone pc products and shortlisted 3 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,381 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mini barebone pcs list. We found that most customers choose mini barebone pcs with an average price of £20.00.

The mini barebone pcs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of mini barebone pcs, including MINISFORUM, geeknuc.

Written by
Harvey Wall Avatar

Harvey Wall was born and raised in Norwich. He mastered the art of tool production and finished at the prestigious Norwich University. His area of interest include cutting tools, abrasive finishing and power tools. Harvey is always looking for ways to improve the finesse of industrial tools via his myriads of researches. He also shares some of his experiences on many platforms while writing on tool products.