Question from Stanley G.: I’ve seen the small brick-sized desktop computers that are so popular right now but they all seem to be fairly under-powered.
I’d love to find a really small desktop PC that will fit on the bookshelf above my desk, but I’d like for it to be as powerful as a mid-range desktop computer.
I live in a comfy, but small 520 square foot “tiny house” and my desk folds out from the wall. Needless to say, there isn’t much room on there.
Can you recommend a computer that has a really small footprint but plenty of computing power?
Rick’s answer: I’m familiar with the modern “tiny houses” that are on the market now Stanley, and I think they’re pretty neat. But I can certainly understand how you need to make the maximum effective use of every square inch of living space.
As you have discovered, most ultra-portable desktop PCs are fairly anemic in terms of CPU power, RAM and mass storage. But luckily that’s beginning to change.
I did some checking around for you and found what I believe to be the perfect computer for your tiny home “office”.
The Acer Revo One RL85-UR52 Home Entertainment Desktop PC (#ad) is about half the size of a roll of paper towels, yet Acer managed to pack plenty of computing power into its tiny case. Just check out these specs:
- 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U Processor
- 8GB RAM
- 1TB Solid State Hybrid Drive
- Intel HD Graphics 5500
- 1 – HDMI Port
- 1 – Mini Display Port
- High-Definition Audio Support
- Digital Media Card Reader – Secure Digital Card
- 802.11ac WiFi (Dual-Band 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- 2 – USB 3.0 Ports
- 2 – USB 2.0 Ports
- Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
- Windows 10
- Physical size: 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.1 inches
- 1 Year Warranty
Pretty impressive, don’t you agree? This machine is packed with more powerful hardware than many mid-level full-sized desktop computers!
And even with its small size, it still comes with two hot-swappable 2.5 inch drive bays for adding up to two laptop-sized hard drives or SSDs to augment the already spacious 1TB SSHD.
Here’s a larger view of the tiny system “tower” along with the wireless keyboard and mouse:
Bottom line: I think this just might be the perfect “tiny computer” to compliment your “tiny house”.
Click here (#ad) to check out the Acer Revo One RL85-UR52 Home Entertainment Desktop PC at Amazon.
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