When a mini PC wins
- Desk-bound work, media, home server
- Always-on multi-monitor setup
- User-upgradeable RAM/SSD
- Better spec per dollar vs laptops
When a laptop wins
- Mobility and battery are required
- Built-in display, keyboard, trackpad
- Frequent travel / café work
Comparing specs
Same CPU (e.g. Ryzen 7 8845HS) may sustain higher performance in a mini PC thanks to TDP and cooling. Use compare for aligned scores.
Bottom line
One device everywhere → laptop. Best efficiency at your desk → mini PC. For AI, prioritize NPU-equipped models on either form factor.