What is a compact mini PC?
A compact mini PC is a small desktop computer built on a single board in a housing about the size of a book. It runs a full operating system, connects to a monitor, keyboard and network, and uses far less space than a tower PC. Mini PCs suit kiosks, digital signage, office desks, labs and machine control, where space and power use matter.
Key specifications
The Thinvent mini PC range uses two processor families. The Intel Core and Intel N-series processors give x86 compatibility for Windows and Ubuntu. The ARM Cortex-A55 processor in the Micro 6 Pro runs Thinux embedded Linux. Across the range, the main specifications are:
-
Processors: Intel N95 and N100, Core i3-1215U, i3-1315U, i7-1255U, Core 5 120U and Core Ultra 5 125U; ARM Cortex-A55
-
Cores: 4 to 12
-
Maximum frequency: 3.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz
-
Memory: 4 GB to 64 GB DDR4, and 8 GB to 16 GB DDR5
-
Storage: 32 GB to 1 TB SSD, and 64 GB eMMC on the Micro 6 Pro
-
Power: 5V 2A, 12V 5A and 12V 7A adapters
-
Networking: No WiFi, Dual Band WiFi, or Dual Antenna WiFi on selected models; Dual LAN on selected models
-
Operating systems: Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, Ubuntu Linux, and Thinux embedded Linux
Comparison of Thinvent mini PC models
| Model | Processor | Cores | Memory | Storage | Operating system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro 6 Pro | ARM Cortex-A55 | 4 | 4 GB | 64 GB eMMC | Thinux |
| Treo (N100) | Intel N100 | 4 | 4 GB DDR4 | 128 GB SSD | Ubuntu or Thinux |
| Treo (N95) | Intel N95 | 4 | 4 GB DDR4 | 128 GB SSD | Ubuntu Linux |
| Aero (i3-1215U) | Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 8 GB DDR4 | 256 GB SSD | Windows 11 Pro |
| Aero (i3-1315U) | Intel Core i3-1315U | 6 | 32 GB DDR4 | 32 GB SSD | Windows 11 IoT Value |
| Aero (Core 5 120U) | Intel Core 5 120U | 10 | 16 GB DDR4 | 512 GB SSD | Windows 11 Pro |
| Aero (Ultra 5 125U) | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U | 12 | 16 GB DDR5 | 32 GB SSD | Ubuntu Linux |
| Treo (i7-1255U) | Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 64 GB DDR4 | 1 TB SSD | Windows 11 Pro |
Choosing a compact mini PC
For light embedded tasks, the Micro 6 Pro runs on a 5V 2A adapter and includes dual antenna WiFi. For general office and Linux work, the Treo N100 and N95 models give low power use with 4 GB of memory. For Windows applications and heavier multitasking, the Aero and Treo Core i3, i5 and i7 models offer more cores and memory.
Thinvent mini PCs
Thinvent builds compact mini PCs for kiosks, signage, offices, labs and industrial use. The Micro 6 Pro, Treo and Aero series cover ARM, Intel N-series and Intel Core processors, with Windows, Ubuntu and Thinux operating systems. Each model is sold with its power adapter and the networking option listed on its product page.