Best Prices Today: HP Pro Mini 400 G9

$956.42

HP has a number of variations of mini PCs and the Pro Mini 400 is their most compact but. The newest version known as the G9 and it’s bought in many various configurations, with twelfth or thirteenth era Intel Core i5 or Core i7 for desktop computer systems and varied quantities of reminiscence and SSD. There may also be variants with or with out Wi-Fi, which is solely a small M.2 card mounted in a normal place within the pc.

My examined mannequin has an Intel Core i5-12500T, which is a extra vitality environment friendly model of the “regular” i5-12500, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. It’s one of many cheaper variants. It’s additionally accessible with 8GB of RAM, however I wouldn’t suggest that. Just a few hundred {dollars} for twice as a lot is properly definitely worth the cash.

Performance is nice, however not nice. The processor’s six cores are good at pushing particular person cores excessive for brief durations of time, however don’t accomplish that properly for prime steady hundreds. This leads to excessive Geekbench outcomes and decrease Cinebench scores in my measurements. It matches the expertise after I use the pc. Editing and reducing a video challenge is easy and seamless even with a number of results and brief sequences with many layers, but it surely takes longer to export the outcome.

Looking to choose up a brand new laptop computer? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops accessible proper now.

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Design

The Pro Mini 400 is a flat little field, measuring simply over 17x17cm large/deep, and fewer than 4cm thick. It’s designed to face on a desk or dangle on the again of a pc monitor. HP additionally sells mounting kits for it as an adjunct, however doing so is a bit impractical, as all of the connections are deep into the again of the monitor and it’s solely appropriate for chosen HP screens.

Mattias Inghe

On a desk, it’s discreet and stands firmly on rubber toes, although it’s not probably the most enticing factor on the planet. A black, flat aluminum tube with connectors and cooling grids on the flat back and front. Built extra for practicality than ornamentation, you get loads of quick USB ports and headphone jacks available within the entrance panel.

There’s additionally a small speaker, which the pc has as a backup for those who don’t have every other audio system linked through headphones, USB, or display screen. It doesn’t sound nice, but it surely’s higher than you’d anticipate and can be utilized in emergencies to listen to what’s being mentioned in video conferences or to play system sounds and movies. But we’d suggest connecting a headset or exterior audio system as an alternative.

You get loads of connections on the back and front of the system, and also you gained’t want a USB hub anytime quickly. Mostly USB-A, but in addition a USB-C. One port on the entrance and one on the again has an influence provide to cost your cell phone, for instance.

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Easy to open

The prime may be loosened and eliminated with a screw on the again for upgrades and upkeep. Not that there’s a lot to do when you’re inside. There’s a free SO-DIMM slot for inserting further reminiscence, however that’s it. If you wish to increase the storage, you’ll have to switch all the SSD with a bigger one. But at the very least the SSD is simple to entry in contrast to the reminiscence that’s hidden underneath the system fan.

According to unconfirmed info, it must be doable to put in a 2.5-inch disc within the pc, however there’s no inner SATA port. Is it definitely worth the trouble? No, join extra storage on USB as an alternative. It works completely properly.

HP will get a gold star for an formidable try to preserve the fan noise down regardless of a robust desktop processor. It has some lively cooling always, but it surely’s virtually inconceivable to listen to it when it’s switched on however passive. And full load of the processor doesn’t pull up the RPMs a lot that they’re distracting.

Mattias Inghe

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Cooling

One cause for its restricted efficiency in sure conditions could also be that HP has chosen subdued cooling over steady most load. On the opposite hand, the pc usually will get a transparent buzzing tone at medium load that may be a bit annoying, however I’ve heard worse.

You can nonetheless purchase the HP Pro Mini 400 G9 with Windows 10 Pro, which Microsoft nonetheless permits for enterprise computer systems. Then you get a free improve to Windows 11 Pro if you would like it. However, you’ll be able to’t return to Windows 10 Pro once more for those who change your thoughts.

My check pattern had already made the change to Windows 11, so I couldn’t go on a nostalgia journey. I like to recommend that particular person customers persist with Windows 11 for future compatibility and updates. Microsoft is phasing out assist in 2025. You gained’t have any bloatware aside from some pointless issues that all the time include Windows. The solely issues HP provides are occasional apps that management particular {hardware} in addition to assist options and a digital guide.

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Rating: 3 out of 5

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Specifications

Product Name: HP Pro Mini 400 G9
Tested: January 2024
Manufacturer: HP
Tested mannequin: 6B2D9EA#UUW
Processor: Intel Core i5-12500T, 6pcs P-core 2-4.4 GHz
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770
Memory: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB
Expansion slots: 1 SO-DIMM
Connections: USB-C 20 Gbit/s, 2pcs USB-A ten Gbit/s, headset entrance. USB-A 3 10 Gbit/s, 2pcs USB 2.0 5 Gbit/s, lan, 2pcs DisplayPort, HDMI rear.
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed with Windows 10 Pro downgrade)
Other: Speakers
Noise degree: 27-35 dBa
Size: 17,7 x 17,5 x 3,42 cm

HP Pro Mini 400 G9: Performance

Cinebench R23, cpu all cores: 7,834 factors
CinebenchR23, cpu single core: 1,396 factors
Geekbench 6, cpu all cores: 7,122 factors
Geekbench 6, cpu single core: 2,286 factors
Geekbench 6, graphics: 7,001 factors
Disk learn: 3,163.23 MB/s
Disk write: 1,920.2 MB/s