Skip the $1,500 laptop – why Mini PCs are the way to go as RAM prices skyrocket

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Back in December, my desktop died. I still don’t know exactly what happened, but the outcome was clear: I needed a new one. Thankfully, I had the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini x on hand. I was skeptical, but this mini PC, which launched at the end of 2025, delivered an experience surprisingly close to my usual setup. And it’s one I recommend if you’re on a budget.

The recent AI craze has seen developers gobble up as much RAM as they can get their hands on, driving PC prices to new heights and leaving companies struggling to find components. I’ve seen modern laptops with only 16GB of RAM retail for $1,500. Mini PCs like Lenovo’s IdeaCentre are a great alternative because they offer performance comparable to, and sometimes even better than, modern laptops.

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In this particular instance, it’s definitely better because the IdeaCentre model that I reviewed comes with 32GB of RAM to deliver high speed and power, while also being cheaper at just $900 at the time of this writing. Granted, it’s not as portable as a laptop, but the upsides are too good to ignore. 

Why we like it

Compared to other mini PCs I’ve tested, this device is a bit on the larger side, measuring 1.68 x 7.68 x 7.52 inches and weighing just under four pounds. It reminds me a lot of the old Mac Minis before the redesign. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, but if you find it too big for your desk, Lenovo includes a small vertical stand that props the computer upright.

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What’s interesting about this machine is that it is part of Lenovo’s ARM-compatible lineup. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 processor, paired with an Andreno graphics card. If you’re not familiar with Windows on ARM, it is a more energy-efficient version of Windows designed that run special ARM-based chips rather than traditional Intel and AMD hardware. 

For years, these types of PCs were effectively seen as less powerful. But times have changed, and Windows on ARM PCs are now viable alternatives. We’ve tested several such laptops over the last year.

Below is a table where I compare the benchmark results of the IdeaCentre Mini x to the Acer Veriton NUC AI, which is the last mini PC I tested, and the Acer Swift Edge 14, a work-centric laptop from this year. Looking at the numbers, you’ll notice the IdeaCentre outperforms its rivals, averaging a multi-core score of around 13,290 in Geekbench 6.

In everyday use, the IdeaCentre felt fast and responsive. A big factor in that speed is the 32GB of RAM it houses. Browsing the internet, handling general office work, writing in a word processor, and doing light photo editing all felt smooth. I used the PC as my primary work computer during the month my main desktop was out of commission, and the difference between the two felt virtually indistinguishable.

Graphical performance is where the issues show up, and that’s not a surprise. This is not a machine meant for heavy content creation. Sure, it handles graphics-intensive tasks better than its rivals, but compared to more creator-focused machines like Samsung’s Galaxy Book6 Ultra, it falls short. 

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I should also point out that it is possible to play video games on the IdeaCentre. Monster Hunter Rise was a game I tested, and it ran perfectly fine, though I had to tweak some graphical settings to make the experience smoother. Still, as a no-frills PC built for everyday tasks, there are some limitations on what you can run on Lenovo’s PC. I’ll get into those restrictions a little later on.

Who it’s for

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini x is best suited for people who want an affordable, compact PC for everyday tasks or business use. It’s fast, reliable, and, most notably, quiet. Even under heavier workloads, the loudest it gets is a soft hum from the internal fan. 

The chassis does warm up a bit during sustained use, but never to a worrying level. Connectivity on the IdeaCentre is pretty solid. You get four USB-A ports, two USB-C inputs, Ethernet for wired internet, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4a for video output, and a headphone/mic combo jack. That’s enough to support a full office setup complete with multiple accessories and external displays.

Who should look elsewhere

To repeat what I’ve said earlier, this is not a PC built for exceedingly intensive workloads. If raw performance is a top priority, there are stronger options. Samsung’s aforementioned Galaxy Book6 Ultra outperforms the IdeaCentre across every metric. Apple’s M4 Max Mac Studio from last year is another great option. It’s a small computer that provides significantly better performance than Lenovo’s PC.

Also, there’s the compatibility issue with Windows on ARM. While software support has improved significantly over the years, not every app can run natively or even be emulated on an ARM-based system. Without getting too deep into the weeds, this gap in support exists because ARM chips use a different architecture than traditional processors. Most major programs run fine on the IdeaCentre, however. 

But there are some exceptions. Google Play Games does not currently work on Windows on ARM, for example. During testing, I found a very helpful website called Windows ARM Software & News. It maintains a regularly updated list of programs that work with Windows on ARM. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

Multiple configurations of the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini x are available. The Snapdragon-powered model that I reviewed typically retails for $1,340, but it’s currently on sale for $900. If you’re looking to spend less, the company also offers an Intel-based version of the IdeaCentre for $550. The computer is a solid alternative to pricier laptops and desktops. If you get this PC, I recommend checking out that Windows ARM website to see which apps work and which don’t.