Best nettops – 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.

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 users 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 from it (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 for enjoying them later (just like a TiVO).

OK, now that we know what is a nettop, I’m going to tell you what are the devices i consider 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.

Acer Aspire Revo AR1600 – $199 – the affordable pick

Acer AspireRevo AR1600

This Acer is right now the most affordable good mini PC you can find on the market. It comes with a dual core ATOM D230 CPU and Nvidia ION LE, enough for it to be able to run and stream all kind of multimedia content, including 1080p movies. Plus, since it comes with HDMI exit, it can easily output this content on a big display or TV.

You’ll also get in the pack matching wireless keyboard/mouse, so once you connect the screen, this computer is ready to go, making it perfect for an everyday PC meant for not too pretentious users/kids or a capable HTPC.

It costs only $199 and you get Free Shipping included. So while not the most powerful nettop on the market, its features and qualities make it the most popular in its class in the US, with thousands of positive reviews and an average mark of 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.

More details in my review of the Acer Aspire Revo AR1600. But, if you want something more potent and with extra features (Wireless, more RAM, Windows 7), check out the other options below.

Zotac MAG – $299 $275 – power for a good price

Zotac MAG mini nettop

Unlike the device above, the Zotac MAG packs more powerful hardware, 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, allowing it to easily connect to your Home Network or the Internet.

The Zotac MAG is also the cheapest nettop with this config you’ll find on the market, as it sells for only $275 (with Free Shipping). The fact that it lacks an OS or accessories like keyboard/mouse are part of the explanation.

Still, this is an excellent choice for a compact computer, and you can read more about it in my review of the Zotac MAG nettop in here.

Acer Aspire Revo AR3610 – $329 – the best option in terms of price/features

Acer AspireRevo AR3610

If you liked the AspireRevo presented above but the level of performance provided by it was not enough, this is the more buffed up version of it, the AR3610 . Comes with D330 processor, 2 GB of RAM and Nvidia ION, plus Wi-Fi N connectivity and Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed.

All these in the same compact shape and with the same accessories included (wireless mouse/keyboard), but with a VESA mounting kit included in the package too.

Price is higher, but considering the stuff you get, I consider this one right now the best choice in terms of price/features, selling for $329 on Amazon . You can read more about it in my review of the Acer AspireRevo AS3610 and also check out the reviews from buyers on Amazon, making it one of the most appreciated nettops in the US. And for good reason, you just couldn’t get a better mini computer for a better price right now, this is the one.

Asus EEE Box EB1501 – $459 – the complete solution

Asus couldn’t be left out of this list. This EEEBox EB1501 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.

Like the AspireRevo D330, it offers the D330 processor and Nvidia ION with 2 GB of RAM. Wi-Fi N is present also, alongside the Windows 7 Home Premium OS. But, there are some extras: storage space is improved, the EEEBox packing a 250 GB drive. Plus, you get an internal optical unit, unlike on any of the other nettops in this list.

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

As for build quality and looks, it’s pretty obvious this Asus is way better looking than any 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: $489 only $459 right now here, with Free Shipping. I definitely like it and it definitely offers more options than the Acer or the Zotac while being better looking. However, performance levels are more-or-less the same, thus it’s just up to you if this Asus EEEBox EB1501 is worth that kind fo money or not.

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

That’s about it with our list of best nettops at the moment. Of course, in this domain, things change fast, thus I’ll update this post as soon as new interesting products become available.

Also, i do recommend the post on the best netbooks available right now from here.

Hopefully, my post was useful and after reading it you managed to learn more on these 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.

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