“Browsing the internet has become an essential practice in our daily lives. Whether it’s to stay informed about current events, keep up with economic news and global politics, or simply explore various content, going online is indispensable nowadays.
Smartphones are indeed the most popular devices among the general public for accessing different news sites. However, for the more tech-savvy among us, mini PCs are a better option, offering an advanced and smoother user experience.
Mini PC vs. mobile phone: which is better for internet browsing?”
Compared to mobile phones, mini PCs offer a multitude of significant advantages for web browsing. They are far more efficient for exploring informational content, whether textual or visual and here’s why.
- Unmatched Visual Comfort
Mini computers are designed to be connected to larger screens than those of mobile phones. They offer better readability, making browsing easier and more enjoyable.
Whether it’s reading articles or exploring visual news content, mini PCs are more advantageous and provide remarkable user comfort. In contrast, smartphones have small screens that make reading and viewing content a bit more tedious.
- Superior Ergonomics
Compact PCs are indeed better suited to the specific needs of internet browsing. They can be connected with accessories, such as a keyboard and mouse, which allow for better management of multiple tabs and ease of information searching.
Mini PCs also offer smoother navigation on complex online platforms. Mobile phones, on the other hand, rely on less practical touch screens.
- Improved Multitasking Experience
Portable mini PCs offer the ability to browse multiple news sites simultaneously. They also allow you to run other programs, such as note-taking software, all while exploring a variety of content at the same time.
Mobile phones, however, are less practical for multitasking when browsing multiple sites and programs. Mini PCs thus allow you to optimize your time and manage the information that is useful to you.
- Longevity
Small portable PCs are equipped with robust components that guarantee users durable performance. Their lifespan is longer than that of mobile phones, which need to be replaced every two or three years. They are therefore a more profitable long-term investment than mobile devices.
Advantages of Mini PCs for Web Browsing
- Compactness and Simplicity
Mini PCs are compact machines, sometimes the size of a paperback book. They can easily fit into any space, whether for work or leisure. Additionally, they are simple to use and take only a few minutes to set up.
- Speed and Smoothness
Portable mini PCs are equipped with more powerful processors than those in mobile phones, ensuring high execution speed. This allows for smoother browsing without interruptions or bugs, especially when loading web pages filled with multimedia content.
These features are ideal for exploring all news sites without latency, which is not the case with smartphones.
- Stability and Customization
The small portable computer offers users the option to choose their preferred operating system, such as Windows, Linux, or Chrome OS. This customization results in great flexibility, allowing users to maximize the performance of internet browsing tools and personalize them.
Mobile phones, and even tablets, are limited in this regard and do not offer the same freedom as mini PCs.
What to Check Before Buying a Mini PC
While mini PCs are ideal for browsing news sites, choosing a suitable model remains an essential factor to optimize your usage. Here are the main criteria to consider when selecting a portable mini PC that meets your web browsing needs.
- Technical Performance
The technical specifications of the mini PC are a key element in assessing its capabilities and overall performance. For fast and smooth browsing, the mini PC you wish to buy should be equipped with an Intel i5 processor or higher, or AMD Ryzen. Additionally, it should have at least 8GB of RAM and SSD storage.
- Connectivity
The mini PC you choose should have several USB ports to connect peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse. Similarly, an HDMI or DisplayPort output is essential to connect it to a screen. Finally, the portable mini PC should be compatible with the latest fast Wi-Fi connection technologies, particularly Wi-Fi 6 or higher.
- Value for Money
You should choose a mini PC that perfectly meets your needs while being affordable. That’s why it’s recommended to compare different available models offering the same performance.”
The Ideal Mini PC for Browsing: King of Value for Money
The GEEKOM A5 is the king of value for money among high-performance mini PCs for internet browsing.”
- AMD Ryzen™ 7 5825U Processor & Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics.
- Up to 64GB dual-channel DDR4-3200 memory.
- PCIe Gen 3 x 4 NVMe/SATA SSD, storage up to 2TB.
- Comprehensive I/O ports for full-featured connectivity.
- Supports 8K displays & multiple screens.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth® 5.2.
This mini-computer is affordable at a price of only A$669.00 while offering technical performance far superior to other models in the same range. It is perfect for various browsing needs to read news on information sites.
Browse popular websites on different topics
Political Themes:
- ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): ABC News is Australia’s national broadcaster, providing comprehensive political news coverage and analysis, covering both national and international political events.
- The Sydney Morning Herald: As one of Australia’s most renowned newspapers, The Sydney Morning Herald offers in-depth political news and commentary, covering political developments from local to global.
- The Guardian Australia: The Guardian Australia is known for its independent reporting and in-depth analysis, particularly on political and social issues, attracting a large audience interested in politics.
Economic Themes:
- The Australian Financial Review: This is a leading publication focusing on business and financial news, offering in-depth coverage of economic policies, market trends, and business analysis.
- Business Insider Australia: This website provides a wide range of economic news, market analysis, and business trends, covering topics from the global economy to local markets.
- ABC News – Business Section: The business section of ABC News offers the latest news and analysis on Australian and international economics, covering a wide range of topics from policy changes to market dynamics.
Environmental Theme:
- The Conversation: This website features articles written by academics and researchers, covering topics such as environmental science, climate change, and sustainability, known for its in-depth analysis and scientific perspective.
- ABC News – Environment Section: The environment section of ABC News focuses on environmental news in Australia and globally, providing the latest reports and analyses on climate change, environmental policies, and ecological conservation.
- RenewEconomy: This is a leading website dedicated to renewable energy and sustainable technology, offering in-depth coverage of the clean energy transition, policy changes, and industry developments.
International Themes:
- ABC News – International Section: The international section of ABC News offers extensive global news coverage, covering a wide range of international dynamics from politics to social events, known for its authority and timeliness.
- SBS News: SBS News provides international news coverage from a multicultural perspective, focusing on important events around the world and offering in-depth background analysis.
- The Guardian Australia – World News: The world news section of The Guardian Australia provides detailed international news and analysis, covering global politics, economics, and social issues.
Art and Music Themes:
- Triple J: As a radio station under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Triple J focuses on promoting emerging musicians and various music genres, providing music news, reviews, and live broadcasts.
- The Music: This website offers the latest news, reviews, and interviews about the Australian and international music scene, covering concerts, album releases, and artist updates.
- Art Almanac: This is Australia’s leading visual arts magazine website, providing information on exhibitions, art news, and reviews, covering art events across the country.
Recommended Websites for Retirees:
- YourLifeChoices: This website focuses on retirement living, offering advice and information on health, financial planning, travel, and lifestyle to help retirees enjoy their retirement lives.
- Starts at 60: This site provides a wealth of content for people over 60, including news, health advice, travel inspiration, and community stories, aimed at offering useful information and support for retirees.
- National Seniors Australia: As a national organization, the National Seniors Australia website provides information on retirees’ rights, policy changes, and healthy living, while also offering a community and support network for retirees.
Other Simple Uses of the Mini PC
Beyond internet browsing, the mini-computer can be used in different contexts while offering considerable performance. Among the simple uses of a portable mini PC, we can distinguish:
- Streaming and Entertainment
The small portable computer can be connected to a Smart TV, thus serving as a streaming platform for services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.
- Work and Office Tasks
The mini-computer also allows for performing professional work tasks, such as document writing, email management, and file organization.
- Communication
Mini PCs enable the installation of remote communication applications, such as Skype or Zoom. These are perfect for video calls and meetings.
- Home Surveillance
A portable mini PC can serve as a control support for video surveillance systems. Installing software like ZoneMinder allows recording videos from security cameras connected to the program.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Mini PC
Using mini PCs for browsing news sites ensures a pleasant and smooth user experience. However, to fully enjoy it, it’s best to follow certain tips that will help improve your browsing performance.
- Optimize the Browser: Install extensions to block ads or manage multiple tabs.
- Perform Regular Updates: This increases security and optimizes the performance of the small portable computer.
- Choose a Good Screen: Invest in a high-quality screen, such as HD, for an optimal experience.
- Use an External SSD: If additional storage capacity is needed, use an external device.
- Adjust Power Settings: This helps prolong the lifespan of the small computer.
Conclusion
Portable mini PCs are compact, efficient, and comfortable devices for web browsing. However, you should choose a model that meets your expectations while aiming to minimize your expenses. By doing so, you will enjoy both a powerful PC and an ideal tool for exploring all types of content.
Anass Guerbaoui
Anass is a content writer with a passion for technology and IT innovation. His technical skills and ability to simplify complex topics for a wide audience reflect his five years of extensive experience in the field. He is also an expert in digital marketing and constantly keeps an eye on the latest trends.