The first listing is powered by the Intel N97, a budget processor that was released fairly recently but performs fairly low (akin to an 8th gen i5). For the purposes of this TR, I will be ignoring low-powered processors such as these, although such a system would make a decent homework computer (without the internet) if the price is low enough.
First listing of interest is a $279 (Prime) Beelink with a Ryzen 7 8525U, an 8-core 15W Zen 3+ with 16GB upgradeable DDR4 RAM and a 500GB SSD. Clicking through, though, one sees a much better option in the $309 (Prime) model with a Ryzen 7 6800U, a 28W with the same processor tech but worlds better in graphics. The RAM is bumped to 24GB but is soldered, though much faster. This is the first compelling option.
Also a good buy is the $479 model with the Ryzen 7 8745HS, a 35W Zen 4 with a third more processing (than the 6800U) and another fundamental jump in graphics. This is less compelling, though, because the 6800U is already enough for almost everyone, and the 8745HS often is not sufficient for graphics pros. (It may be, though, depending on your use case.) If you game, but don't need the latest AAA titles, the jump is worth it.
The last option is the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, a 12-core Zen 5 with another huge leap in graphics power. At $919, though, there are better options, especially if you would jump to a full-size desktop or buy a gaming laptop. This processor actually makes more sense in a laptop than in an expensive mini-PC.
The next model, from GMKTek, has an i7-1195G7, the best low-wattage processor in a laptop ... in 2021. Today? Well, 29% less than $520 is $369... the 6800U is the better buy.
Also on the page is a model with an i7-13620H, 32GB upgradeable RAM and a 2TB SSD. But for $551, the 8745HS model is the better buy unless the storage matters more to you than the performance.
For $559, you can get the model with an i9-13900HK, the best Intel laptop processor of 2023. Times have moved on, though, and the Arrow Lake Core Ultra 5 gets you the same performance. For that matter, the 8745HS is still the better deal (again, unless the storage matters more).
After a few more budget processors and off-brands, there's a GMKtec with an i9-12900HK for $450 (Prime), though the 8745HS is the better option, and a 12450H model for $306 (Prime, but the 6800U is better), and another i9-13900HK but f0r only $520 - and the 8745HS is still better value.
More cheap models and an ASUS chromebox follow. Then we get another 5825U model for $328 (Prime), an 8845HS (slightly better 8745HS) for $530 - way too much, and an HX 370 model for less than the above Beelink ($900 - Prime) but still too much for recommending in this use case.
The 6600U for $280 is undercut by the 6800U for $309.
The next 5825U from Beelink is $329 with Prime, but the 6800U is cheaper.
However, the Ryzen 5 5500U for $239 (Prime) is a good price so far. Although from 2021, it runs at a respectable rate and should be plenty fast for basic work and internet. It is certainly a much better buy than the slew of Intel N-series that usually populate this price range. Unless we find something better!
We then find a Beelink with a i7-12650H, a 35W with 6 P-cores and 4 -E cores that performs between the 6800U and 8745HS, for a price that matches - $369 (Prime). Still, although the performance matches, the graphics are inferior. I would think that someone who would max out the 6800U would be happier with this one, but this would have to be someone who doesn't need the graphics. And if you are truly maxing out this type of processor (what are you doing - data science?), you should invest in the most powerful processor you can afford (ie conventional desktop). A few other options with bad prices, including a $869 Core Ultra 9 185H (once you are here, get the $900 HX 370, but really, get a normal desktop or gaming laptop).
A $719 Intel NUC? Jump in a lake. (Alder Lake, to be precise.) A $669 Intel NUC? Also, the lake (Raptor Lake this time). And a few more off-brands, so the winners of the first page are the 5500U, the 6800U, and the 8745HS models!
To be continued!? Not sure.
