Fall means three things… pumpkin spice lattes, cringeworthy jokes about pumpkin spice lattes, and new tech hardware.
Forget about clearing off desk space for your next desktop PC. Today, you can get a powerful desktop PC the size of a peanut butter sandwich. Whether you’re trying to save space at home, fit more computers into your office, or squeeze a media server into your entertainment center, there’s a mini PC made for you.
Mini PCs range from small project PCs for under $50 to compact desktops that can cost $1,000 or more. Stick PCs are the most versatile, generally cost between $100 and $200, and will work with most TVs or monitors. Mini PC prices vary considerably based on hardware.
All your favorite tech giants, even the ones that do not build hardware devices, are coming out with new tiny computers to stare at during your commute. Here are some examples of what you should pay attention to in October:
· Google said it will debut “a few new things” (probably hardware) at an event on Oct. 15 in New York. You might’ve already seen a leaked version of the Pixel 4.
· Apple’s newest iPhones and Watch hit stores this Friday, but expect more shiny things from Cupertino next month.
· Microsoft has a Surface event planned for Oct. 2. It might unveil a new Harry Potter character dual-screen device codenamed “Centaurus.”
· Facebook promised additions to its Portal line at Code Conference back in June. One possibility? A TV set-top version.
· Amazon’s event is right around the corner. Judging by the past, we’re likely to get new Echo- and Fire-related gizmos next Wednesday.
These are the offers from other PC makers:
· The Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is a new spin on the mini PC and All-In-One designs, thanks to a modular set up that hides a potent mini PC in the stand.
· The Azulle Access3 is a stick PC, updating the Azulle Access line with more powerful processing and faster ports.
· Chromebook maker CTL has announced a powerful new Chromebox that packs an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 32GB of RAM to deliver professional-grade power for business users. The new CTL 4K Core i7 Chromebox Workstation comes with a 4K monitor and prices start at $799.