We’ve compiled a list of five options to get you started on the path of minuscule gaming mayhem, but first, let’s go over what separates an excellent mini PC from those you should avoid.

What to Look For in a Mini PC

Picking the right mini gaming PC isn’t all that different from choosing a full-sized one. Here’s what you should pay attention to if you want the best mini PC.

Performance

Size matters differently than you’d think when it comes to mini PCs. Although miniaturized, these devices are no slouch in the performance department. The heart of your mini PC, the CPU, should be a formidable performer like a recent AMD Ryzen or Intel Core i7 series chip, capable of holding its own with the most challenging tasks.

The GPU is another crucial performer, especially for those with an appetite for gaming or graphically intense work. GPUs like Nvidia’s GeForce RTX or AMD’s Radeon RX series are your ticket to high-quality, stutter-free visual experiences. Integrated GPUs are generally to be avoided, but they have come a long way, and as you’ll see below, some are pretty decent if your gaming requirements are modest.

Memory and Storage

“The more, the merrier” should be your motto when considering RAM and storage for your mini PC. Regarding RAM, DDR4 and DDR5 are the day’s flavors, with 8GB being the minimum for casual users.

However, aim for 16GB or more for gaming to ensure smooth sailing. DDR5 is still relatively expensive at the time of writing, but if you intend to upgrade your mini PC at any point, a newer DDR5 motherboard is the more sensible choice.

SSDs are the clear winner over HDDs for storage, boasting superior speed and reliability. A 256GB or 512GB capacity is a good fit for the average user, but a 1TB SSD or more is a better bet for digital hoarders and hardcore gamers. Physical space inside these PCs is costly, so you should go for a motherboard that offers multiple M.2 slots for storage. That being said, most games will also run well on a SATA III SSD drive, and those have come down significantly in price.

For mass storage, consider an external USB hard drive or 2.5″ mechanical drives for mini PC cases that still support them. Although these drives aren’t suitable for gaming, you can store game backup files to save on download times and other media, such as video and audio on these “spinning rust” drives.

Connectivity

A mini PC with a wide selection of ports can save you a lot of dongle grief in the long run. Use a good mix of USB-C and USB-A ports for versatile connection options. Also, remember to check for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support to keep you connected wirelessly without hitches.

Buying a motherboard with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in saves you on a few USB ports or internal card slots, which is more important in the mini PC space than with larger desktop machines.

Form Factor and Design

Mini PCs are already space savers by design, but their form factor can still vary substantially. When choosing your mini PC, consider your spatial limitations and aesthetic preferences.

Think about what sort of space you want to use the computer in and the components you want to use. The most critical element, in this case, is the GPU. If you want to use full-size GPUs in your mini PC, it needs to accommodate this, or else you’ll have to make do with thinner cards that don’t offer the same cooling and performance.

Expandability

While mini PCs may lack the full-scale customization of their larger brethren, they offer some expandability. Specific models come as barebones configurations, allowing you to handpick your RAM and storage. Others may even permit future component upgrades.

Note: Some of these mini PCs are from third-party system builders. The OEM may only sell barebones kits or just the chassis, so a third-party PC builder finishes the job and sells the complete PC at a profit. Some mini PCs will not arrive in a sealed box because the third-party seller has changed them.

1. Intel NUC 12 Extreme Mini PC

The Intel 2023 NUC 12 Extreme Mini PC is a titan in a compact form, packing a powerful punch with a 16-Core i9-12900 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics. This combination creates an impressive performance profile capable of easily handling demanding gaming tasks.

This configuration with 64GB DDR4 RAM and a substantial 2TB NVMe SSD provides a responsive system and ample space for games, making it perfect for enthusiasts. Still, you can select more affordable components and reduce the overall price tag.

What stands out about this mini PC is its impeccable connectivity suite. With a combination of Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and many USB 3.2 ports, you’ll have no shortage of peripherals to connect. Additionally, including Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5 ensures reliable, high-speed wireless connectivity.

This device is designed with aesthetics in mind. The black casing with integrated RGB lighting creates a sleek, modern look that seamlessly fits into any setup. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, the big skull motif that’s become emblematic of the NUC Extreme range gives the whole little system a badass hacker vibe,

Unfortunately, discounting the lackluster RTX 3060 12GB, there are no decent GPU options above 8GB, which is becoming an issue even for those who play at 1440p.

2. SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming Computer PC Desktop

The SkyTech Chronos Mini Gaming Computer PC Desktop is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers who want a capable system without breaking the bank.

At the heart of the Chronos Mini is an Intel Core-i3 10100F, which, while not precisely top-of-the-line, provides ample processing power for many modern games. Paired with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, this mini PC can handle popular games like Fortnite, Valorant, and many more at 1080p with smooth frame rates.

Including a 500GB SSD further contributes to its performance, allowing for quick boot times, responsive gameplay, and decent storage for your games library.

While it might not be built for ultra settings on the most demanding games, the SkyTech Chronos Mini offers impressive performance for its price point. Also, Microsoft Windows 11 Home and Wi-Fi capabilities round off this budget-friendly package.

While it won’t outperform a $500 modern gaming console, you may be surprised at how much it will run well on a machine like this, and you also get the benefits of a PC for other tasks such as work or creative projects.

3. Beelink Mini PC AMD Ryzen

This Beelink Mini PC boasts an 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with up to 4.4GHz boost clock speed. The integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, clocked at 2000MHz, delivers visually solid performance and can support 4K resolution across three screens simultaneously. This is an excellent feature for content creators or multitaskers who need multiple monitors for their work or play.

The system is equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which can be upgraded to a whopping 64GB, and a 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD, which can also be upgraded to 2TB. This ensures smooth multitasking and quick loading times for applications and games.

Why is this on a list of “gaming” Mini PCs? Well, it’s all a matter of perspective. Any PC can be a “gaming” PC if your expectations are suitably adjusted. The integrated Vega graphics in the Beelink need to be more compelling by today’s standards. Still, it has enough power to play modern games on low to medium settings at resolutions such as 1080p. If you dig a little into the PC gaming backlog, many titles will run splendidly on hardware like this.

So if you mainly do general computer work or watch media on your computer but want to play games in appropriate settings with something in a form factor similar to a Mac Mini, the Beelink is a top choice.

4. MSI MEG Trident X 12VTF-028US

The 2022 MSI MEG Trident X is a top-tier gaming desktop offering a powerhouse of performance inside a stylish and compact chassis. It’s thin and tall, looking like a PC version of the Sony PlayStation 5, but we like this aesthetic. It manages to make a genuinely compact system without sacrificing as much space for components as much as mini PCs do in general.

The 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake Core i7-12700K processor is at the heart of this gaming desktop, offering 12 cores and reaching speeds of up to 5.0GHz. This high-performance CPU can easily handle heavy gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, and other resource-intensive tasks, ensuring a smooth, lag-free experience.

Accompanying the robust processor is a high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card equipped with 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM. The RTX 3080 Ti is one of the most powerful GPUs, delivering superb performance in AAA gaming titles and other graphically intensive tasks. You may be tempted to buy a new 40-series card, but the performance difference isn’t worth the price difference, and the 3080 Ti has 12GB of VRAM, which is the most crucial factor in future-proofing this system.

If you want PC power in a console form factor, the Trident X is likely the closest we’ll get. It’s just a shame about the price tag, but you are getting what you pay for.

5. ASUS ROG Ally

OK, so let’s be clear, the ROG Ally is NOT a mini PC in the same sense as the other computers we’ve picked out here. While those small form-factor computers are still fully upgradeable, customizable, and otherwise complete traditional desktops tucked into a tiny package, the Ally is a whole different form-factor- a handheld PC. Now, hear us out because this is not the crazy suggestion it may seem.

If you want the most compact PC gaming setup possible, then the Ally is a legitimate option. It has plenty of gaming grunts on the go, and when you dock it with a screen and other peripherals, it turns into a mini desktop gaming PC.

Best of all, you can use it with ASUS’ proprietary external GPU options that don’t have the performance constraints of Thunderbolt, giving you access to some truly high-end GPU power if you’re willing to pay for the privilege.

While the lack of upgradability is undoubtedly an issue, consider that something like the Beelink we reviewed above is nearly as limited in the upgrade arena, and the Ally will beat it in most scenarios.

So, if you’re looking to upgrade, here are the 5 best Z790 motherboards that you can buy right now.

Why Upgrade to a Z790 Motherboard?

Z790 chipset motherboards are the top-end motherboards available for the latest generation of CPUs. They offer the best when it comes to features like IO connectivity options, PCIe 5.0 graphics card support, increased RAM, and overclocking capabilities.

The difference between Z790 motherboards is largely down to the manufacturer — for example, ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are three of the most well-known manufacturers, and their offerings provide different features for different users.

However, as we’ve already mentioned, Z790 motherboards don’t differ massively when compared to the previous Z690 models. The main differences are increased support for:

• PCIe 5.0 headers
• Thunderbolt 4 USB ports
• DDR5 RAM (and unlike AMD’s latest Ryzen chipset, Intel’s 13th-gen supports DDR4 memory back-compatibility)
• Better overclocking capabilities and power delivery
• Wi-Fi 6E

1. Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX is one of the most affordable options when it comes to Z790 motherboards. It’s loaded with features that make it perfect for a mid-range, low-cost DDR5 gaming PC. It also has a great design that will fit well with different build styles.

With powerful Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) and solid heatsinks, the Aorus Elite AX also provides support for mid-level overclocking. This means you can boost your Intel 13th-gen CPU and get the most out of your system.

Key Specs

The Bottom Line

Gigabyte’s AORUS Elite AX offers a great balance between price and features, meaning it’s the best budget gaming motherboard for mid-level 13th-gen setups.

2. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a near-flagship model that provides everything you need to make a top-tier Raptor Lake gaming PC. With full PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory support, easy overclocking, an easy-to-use BIOS, 90A VRMs, and massive VRM heatsinks, you can overclock even the Intel Core i9-13900K to its maximum capabilities.

Further, the Maximus Z790 Hero also provides a flagship-class audio solution so you can get the most high-quality audio currently available.

Key Specs

The Bottom Line

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is a high-end model and its price reflects that position. If you’re looking to beat overclocking records, this is a good motherboard to go with. However, if you’re only going to overclock a little (or not at all), there are several other motherboards with similar feature sets at a lower price.

3. MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi

Another great mid-range option, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFI provides everything you need to get the most out of your next-gen PC build. With support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 RAM, you can build the perfect gaming machine without breaking the bank.

Key Specs

The Bottom Line

The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFI is a mid-tier motherboard that prioritizes the necessary features over features that appear in higher models like RGB lighting and Thunderbolt 4. What results is a reasonably priced motherboard with a solid set of features that’s more or less perfect for the average gamer.

4. ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi

The ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard is for everyone who loves building compact PCs. Yet despite its Mini-ITX form factor, this ASUS motherboard doesn’t back down on functionality.

Note: For those who don’t know, the Mini-ITX form factor is one of the smallest form factors available – smaller even than micro-ATX boards. This means you can create tiny PC towers that pack a real punch.

Key Specs

The Bottom Line

The ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-I Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard is one of the best Mini-ITX options for 12th and 13th-generation builds.
The only problem is that you need to pay a premium to get all of these features in such a small package. In fact, its price point nearly reaches that of high-end ATX boards, at which point you’re almost better off building a full-sized PC tower with additional features.

5. Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master is a massive motherboard of the E-ATX form factor. With all the extra space, Gigabyte added a huge amount of features, including a stack of connectivity options so you’ll never run out of space for your peripherals.

It also comes with a stack of smart overclocking features, including the ability to set 13th-gen Intel CPUs to 6GHz and higher with the click of a button. Alongside this feature, the Aorus Master includes the Optimization and Spec Enhance modes that let your 13th-gen CPUs run all cores at higher clock speeds and lower temps.

Key Specs

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to build a massive PC tower that’s decked out with the latest technology, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master is a great choice. But since it’s a massive board with a stack of top-end features, the Aorus Master isn’t cheap. Beyond price, the one thing to remember when considering this motherboard is whether your PC case supports E-ATX boards.

What Will You Choose?

Above, we’ve covered five of the best Z790 motherboards currently available on the market. From the normal ATX form factor to extra large E-ATX and small Mini-ITX models, there’s something for everyone. Now it’s time to choose your next GPU – AMD or NVIDIA?

Enter the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti. They’re similar in name, but not quite in-game. So, what’s the difference?

Specs and Price

As part of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs, both the RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti are built upon the Ampere architecture, Nvidia’s successor to Turing. While both share the Ampere DNA, the key differences emerge in their detailed specifications and MSRPs.

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, sporting 4864 CUDA cores, boasts a boost clock of 1665 MHz, and carries 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM with a 256-bit memory bus, offering 448 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Its MSRP sits at $399, although due to market fluctuations and different versions (like the MSI, Gigabyte, or Asus models), you might find the price varies on retail sites like Amazon.

The RTX 3060, on the other hand, while having more VRAM (12GB of GDDR6), runs with a slightly lower memory bandwidth of 360GB/s owing to its 192-bit memory bus. It also has fewer CUDA cores (3584 to be precise) and a lower boost clock speed (1777 MHz). Its initial MSRP was $329, although market prices may differ.

The thermal design power (TDP) is another factor to consider when examining these cards’ energy efficiency and thermal output. The RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W, while the RTX 3060 comes in slightly lower at 170W, which might sway those with a focus on power consumption.

Important: NVIDIA uses the same names for its laptop GPUs as it does for its desktop models, but the GPUs themselves are totally different. For example, the laptop RTX 3070 Ti at 115W is closer to a desktop RTX 3060 Ti. So if you see a laptop with an RTX 3060 is a lower-spec GPU than the desktop model. Don’t be fooled!

Gaming Performance and Benchmarks

Where the rubber meets the road for gamers, or rather, where the silicon meets the CPU, is gaming performance. How do these cards fare in modern games like Cyberpunk at ultra settings? When you compare frame rates (fps), the RTX 3060 Ti generally takes the lead.

In 1080p gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti shows consistently better performance, often by a margin of 10-20 fps, depending on the game and graphics settings. This advantage expands at higher resolutions, with the 3060 Ti showing an even larger lead in 1440p and maintaining playable frame rates in many titles at 4K, at lower settings

Both cards support DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a feature that uses AI and Tensor cores to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, offering higher frame rates without drastically compromising image quality. In games that support DLSS, both cards can deliver higher fps, but the RTX 3060 Ti still leads the way, making it a better option for those with high-refresh monitors. We’ll unpack DLSS a little more later in this comparison.

Ray Tracing and Other Features

Graphics cards today are about more than raw horsepower, and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti are no exception.

Ray Tracing: Lighting Up Your Gaming World

Ray tracing is a rendering technique that generates an image by tracing light paths as pixels in an image plane and simulating the effects as they encounter virtual objects. In layman’s terms, it’s about making lighting and shadows in games look stunningly realistic.

The “RT” in “RTX” stands for ray tracing, and Nvidia’s RTX series is among the first to offer real-time ray tracing. Both the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti feature dedicated RT (ray-tracing) cores that handle the computational heavy lifting, thus enabling this revolutionary tech.

The effect of ray tracing in games can be breathtaking, providing a level of realism that was unthinkable in real-time graphics just a few years ago. However, such beauty comes with a computational cost, often resulting in lower frame rates. That’s where the RTX 3060 Ti flexes its muscles. With more RT cores than the 3060, it can handle ray-traced games at higher settings and frame rates.

DLSS: AI-Enhanced Performance

Another major feature of Nvidia’s RTX line-up is the aforementioned DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling. This AI-driven rendering technology uses dedicated Tensor cores (present in both the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti) to upscale games from a lower rendered resolution to a higher target resolution. This technique can deliver image quality comparable to native resolutions while demanding fewer GPU resources, thereby improving performance and boosting frame rates.

DLSS can be particularly useful when playing at higher resolutions or when ray tracing is enabled. So, while both cards feature DLSS, the added horsepower of the 3060 Ti again gives it the upper hand regarding performance in DLSS-enabled games.

Other Key Features

Beyond ray tracing and DLSS, these GPUs are packed with features designed to optimize and enhance your gaming experience. They offer support for PCIe 4.0, allowing faster communication with the rest of your PC, and for the latest DirectX 12 Ultimate, which provides additional graphic technologies like Variable Rate Shading.

Regarding outputs, the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti typically come with three DisplayPort and one HDMI 2.1, supporting 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz. HDMI 2.1 also enables features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), making them fit for next-gen gaming monitors and TVs.

What’s With the VRAM Situation?

For the uninitiated, the difference in VRAM size between the GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti might seem paradoxical. It’s generally expected that higher-tier cards would offer more VRAM, but in this case, the lower-tier RTX 3060 boasts a larger 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM compared to the RTX 3060 Ti’s 8GB. So, what’s behind this unconventional choice?

The primary function of VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) in a graphics card is to store data that the GPU needs immediate access to, such as textures, shaders, and other gaming assets. The rule of thumb is the higher the resolution and the more complex the game, the more VRAM you’ll need.

Although the RTX 3060 carries more VRAM, it has a narrower memory bus than the 3060 Ti, leading to lower overall memory bandwidth. In practical terms, while the RTX 3060 can hold more data in its VRAM, the 3060 Ti can access and process its stored data more quickly.

The 12GB VRAM in the RTX 3060 is a strategic move by Nvidia, thanks to how that narrow memory bus has been configured. It’s narrower because it has fewer channels. The 3060 Ti has 8GB of VRAM because it has eight channels with a 1GB memory module each. Since the 3060 only has six channels, using the same module size would lead to a 6GB card, which is too little for a modern mid-range card. The only option then was to use 2GB memory modules, which is why we ended up with 12GB of VRAM.

However, it’s worth noting that in most current gaming scenarios, having more VRAM will not improve performance if the card doesn’t have the GPU horsepower to use it. The RTX 3060 Ti, despite having less VRAM, still outperforms the RTX 3060 in most gaming benchmarks thanks to its higher number of CUDA cores, faster clock speeds, and broader memory bus.

One caveat here is that some recent AAA PC game ports have been struggling on systems with 8GB of VRAM. This is largely because the next-generation consoles have a larger VRAM pool than 8GB, and are now aiming for internal resolutions closer to 1440p than 4K. That makes it hard to recommend any GPU with 8GB of VRAM in 2023. However, that’s not a good reason to buy a 3060, and you shouldn’t factor it in here. 8GB is still acceptable for 1080p or 1440p gaming, and many games’ patches have already addressed their issues with VRAM.

The newly-released 4060 Ti has the same MSRP as the 3060 Ti, although, as we’ve mentioned, MSRPs are nearly meaningless in the GPU market at the moment. However, NVIDIA is releasing a 16GB variant of the 4060 Ti for $100 more in the future, and that would be a much more future-proof choice at this stage, despite its GPU performance not being much better than a 3060 Ti.

Considerations for Building a Gaming PC

If you’re building a gaming PC, your GPU isn’t the only component to consider. Ensure you have a capable CPU (like an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor) and a compatible motherboard to avoid bottlenecking your graphics card’s performance.

The RTX 3060’s lower specs might be a better fit for a less high-end system, while the RTX 3060 Ti might be more suitable for a system with high-end components. If you’re upgrading a computer with an older CPU, still running DDR3 RAM, for example, the 3060 makes more sense. Even then you might be better off with an older card like the RTX 2060 or RTX 2070.

It’s also worth considering the rest of Nvidia’s product stack. The RTX 3070, for instance, offers a significant step up in performance from the 3060 Ti but at a higher price. Conversely, the RTX 3050 offers cost savings for those on a tight budget but at the expense of lower performance. Please don’t buy an RTX 3050.

Final Verdict

While the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti share a name and a few similarities, they cater to slightly different markets. The RTX 3060, with its lower price and specs, is a decent entry-level card for 1080p gaming. The RTX 3060 Ti, on the other hand, with its superior specs and performance, is a more mid-range choice, perfect for those aiming for higher resolutions or more demanding games.

Unless you can find an RTX 3060 for significantly less money than its MRSP or the next better card, it’s almost always better to go for the 3060 Ti in this case. However, don’t forget that cards like the 4070 offer new features, such as DLSS 3 and that much more powerful cards like the RTX 3080 should drop in price now that the 40-series is finally out.

When selecting a Chromebook with a built-in stylus pen, it’s essential to consider factors such as the responsiveness and accuracy of the stylus, the device’s overall performance, battery life, and display quality. To help you choose, here are seven of the best Chromebooks with a stylus you can buy today.

1. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is ideal for those looking for a top-tier Chromebook with a built-in stylus and powerful features.

It has a vivid 13.3-inch FHD QLED touchscreen to deliver stunning colors and crisp images. It also includes a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to easily transform the Chromebook into a tablet for convenience. With the Intel Core i3 processor and Wi-Fi 6, you can expect smooth multitasking and speedy browsing.

You’ll also appreciate its backlit keyboard with wider keys to maximize your typing efficiency. The built-in stylus enables you to seamlessly take notes, draw, or navigate with precision.

The storage capacity is rated at 128GB eMMC, which (for a Chromebook) is a good amount of integrated storage. However, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 doesn’t include traditional USB Type-A ports, so you’ll need to use USB-C adapters or peripherals.

2. ASUS Chromebook Flip C433

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 provides a versatile convertible design with powerful performance, making it an ideal choice for on-the-go users. Its striking design features an aluminum-alloy chassis with diamond-cut edges, making it look sleek and providing added durability.

The C433 includes a 14-inch Full HD display with a NanoEdge bezel for a near-borderless viewing experience. This C4300’s 360-degree hinge also lets you effortlessly switch between laptop, tablet, tent, or stand modes. Along with the included stylus, you can operate your Chromebook however you like.

The Flip C433 has an impressive battery life, allowing you to use it for up to 10 hours on a single charge. The dual-core Intel Core M3 processor ensures a smooth and seamless performance for basic web tasks. However, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, it isn’t going to handle the most demanding applications.

Fortunately, this Chromebook includes a MicroSD card reader, so you can expand storage capacity if needed.

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3

This versatile and portable Chromebook is an excellent choice for students and users who love flexibility in their devices.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 is a compact touchscreen Chromebook for students and other professional users. Its 360-degree hinge allows for multiple modes, making it perfect for various tasks, from typing assignments in laptop mode to video streaming in stand mode.

With an Octa-Core MediaTek MT8183 Processor and 4GB RAM, this Chromebook offers reliable performance for everyday tasks while remaining energy-efficient. Its built-in stylus pen adds more interactivity, making navigating web pages easier and completing assignments requiring touch input.

While the IdeaPad Flex 3 does have USB-C and USB-A ports for peripheral connections, these are only 2.0 ports, which may limit transfer speeds. Additionally, storage may become a concern with its 64GB eMMC drive. However, the 11.6” screen is rated at Full HD with a 1366×768 resolution.

4. ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3

The ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3 is well-suited for study, work, and entertainment. Equipped with an ergonomic full-size keyboard, the ASUS CM3 can easily transform into a laptop with a good quality keyboard, ensuring optimal productivity.

In contrast, the tablet mode provides users a compact space to unleash their creativity, utilizing the stylus for note-taking and drawing. It comes with a 10.5-inch screen with a 1920×1200 screen resolution, 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage available.

The CM3 is a good mid-tier Chromebook that can handle most of the usage a Chromebook user will likely be interested in. It also has a 27Wh battery that Asus claims can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, two USB-C ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

5. HP X360 Chromebook

The HP X360 Chromebook is a solid choice for those seeking a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with a built-in stylus pen. It features a 14″ HD touchscreen display, making it an excellent option for students and professionals.

Like the Asus CM3, the HP X360 has a 12-hour battery life, allowing you to power through your to-do list and enjoy your favorite playlists without worrying about charge.

It also includes a dual-core Intel Celeron N4120 processor and 4GB RAM, ensuring that it can easily handle basic tasks, but it might struggle with more high-intensity work. The 64 GB eMMC storage might limit the number of files and applications you can store, but with integrated Google Cloud storage, this might be less of an issue.

6. Lenovo 300e Chromebook

The Lenovo 300e 11.6″ touchscreen Chromebook is designed with versatility and durability in mind, thanks to its 2-in-1 convertible design and rugged, water-resistant build. With its 360-degree hinge and 10-point multi-touch technology, this Chromebook allows you to work in different modes (laptop, tablet, tent, or stand).

Powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor and 4GB of RAM, the Lenovo 300e delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks. However, it may not be suitable for heavy multitasking or more demanding applications. Additionally, the 32GB storage is quite limited.

The device also comes with a user-facing 720p HD camera and a 5MP world-facing camera, making it suitable for online classes, video meetings, and streaming.

7. Acer Chromebook Spin 314

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is a versatile and budget-friendly option for those needing a reliable Chromebook with a built-in stylus pen. Thanks to its Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen display, it boasts a sturdy design and impressive durability.

The built-in USI stylus compatibility suits tasks like note-taking, sketching, or navigating content. The 14-inch HD (1366×768) LED-backlit TFT LCD display is bright and rich in color and, with a 1366×768 resolution, is rated for full HD.

Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor with 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, sufficient for everyday web browsing, document editing, and lightweight media consumption. However, the 4GB of RAM may be limiting if you plan to run more demanding applications.

However, the 128GB of eMMC storage is one of the largest on this list, ensuring that you have ample space to store your important files. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6 support provides fast and reliable internet connectivity.

The Spin 314 also has a well-rounded collection of ports and features, including a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI port, and an OceanGlass touchpad, as well as a 10-hour battery.

Finding the Right Chromebook For You

Choosing the right Chromebook with a built-in stylus pen can significantly improve your productivity and creativity. Always do thorough research and read user reviews before purchasing a Chromebook. This will help ensure you find the ideal device to match your requirements.

Decided to buy? Don’t forget to leave your own review on Amazon so that others can benefit from your experience. You can also return your Amazon parcel if the product isn’t suitable.

Whether you have a collection of quirky keyboards or are looking for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard that can do it all, you’ll find the new Kebohub 001 an interesting specimen.

Check out our Kebohub EE01 mechanical keyboard review to determine whether you should choose it as your new keyboard.

WhatGeek x 3inuS Kebohub EE01 Mechanical Keyboard: First Impressions & Specs

3inuS is a fairly new manufacturer specializing in Apple peripherals. Their latest product is a Kebohub EE01 mechanical keyboard hub. Kebohub is a mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable switches with four USB hubs: one HDMI port, one USB-C port, and three USB-A ports.

The Kebohub EE01 started as a Kickstarter campaign and is currently seeking funding on Indiegogo. If you want a more efficient addition to your working space, consider backing up this campaign.

Even though 3inuS specializes in Apple products, the Kebohub is compatible with Windows and Apple computers. For the purposes of this review, I tested the keyboard with a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Lenovo Yoga.

Before we dive into the review, here’s a complete list of specs of the WhatGeek x 3inuS Kebohub EE01 mechanical keyboard:

• Dimensions: 14 x 5 x 1.8in (35.5 x 12.5 x 4.5cm)
• Weight: 2 lbs (920g)
• Type: mechanical keyboard with a built-in 5-in-1 hub
• Number of keys: 87
• Structure: metal plate mounted
• Case material: ABS
• Form factor: TKL
• Keycap: double injection ABS – transparent letter
• Switch: Huano Blue hot-swappable, 3pin/5pin switch support
• Backlight: RGB
• Connectivity: USB-C, cable length 63 in (160cm)
• Compatibility: Mac / Windows / iOS / Android
• Color: light grey with dark and light grey keycaps
• Price: $84 on Indiegogo

Design and Unpacking

At first glance, the Kebohub doesn’t look much different from any other Windows and macOS-compatible keyboard. In fact, when I received the keyboard, the whole thing seemed kind of boring. It was packed in a see-through box with a little logo in the corner, and the keyboard didn’t look much. But I’m not one to judge gadgets based on their first visual impression.

What’s in the Box

Here’s everything you’ll find inside the package when unboxing your Kebohub EE01:

• WhatGeek x 3inuS kebohub EE01 mechanical keyboard
• Full set of darker grey caps
• Four extra switches
• Four extra Windows keycaps
• Switch puller tool
• Keycap puller tool
• User manual

The body of the keyboard and the cable are light grey with 87 keycaps – part of them are darker grey, and the rest are light grey. I had a choice of Red and Blue switches. I’m a big typing enthusiast, and I’ve never tried the Blue clicky keys that are supposed to make clicking noises and feel like an actual typewriter, so the choice was obvious.

Right off the bat, I have to say that if you’ve never tried the Blue Switch before and you don’t live alone – think twice before getting it. On one side, the typing experience is everything I hoped for, and I personally love the sound these keys make. However, it’s a total nightmare for my boyfriend to be around me when I’m using the keyboard.

The clicky sounds are so loud that I was banned from using the keyboard at night, even when I’m in a different room from my boyfriend. If you don’t want to disturb the people around you with your loud typing, go for the red switches, they’re the silent option for mechanical keyboards (and a typical gamer’s choice) that will keep your family and colleagues sane.

Back to the keyboard’s design and build quality. The body of the keyboard feels solid, and it has rubber pads on the feet to make it more stable and avoid sliding around your desk. On the back of the keyboard, you’ll also find two flip-out feet that allow you to raise one side of the keyboard for better ergonomics.

As soon as I got my hands on this keyboard, I was curious about taking out the keycaps and the switches. The best part is that you get all the tools and even some spare parts included in the package. The keycap puller tool makes it super easy to replace a keycap.

If you get tired of the modern-style keycaps included with the Kebohub, you can replace them with any keycaps of your liking. Luckily, there’s no shortage of third-party keycaps on Amazon.

The RGB Lighting

The real experience with the Kebohub EE01 starts when you plug it in, and the RGB lighting kicks in. The keyboard doesn’t require extra drivers and is a purely plug-and-play device.

For those of you who are on the hunt for a gaming keyboard, you’ll be happy to know that this keyboard has many lighting effects. Even if you’re someone like me who prefers to disable the lighting effects, you’ll probably find the one you like on this keyboard.

The Kebohub manual has two entire pages that explain different ways you can use to customize the lighting on your keyboard. For example, there are 18 preset RGB backlight effects that you can cycle through by holding the FN key and pressing the ins/home/pgup/del/end/pgdn keys. There are other backlight adjustments that you can perform using the following keyboard shortcuts:

• FN + up arrow/down arrow: increase/decrease brightness in 5 steps
• FN + left arrow: change LED flow direction
• FN + right arrow: change color (8 different colors)
• FN + -/+: adjust LED flow speed

You can also use a scheme for customizing your own backlight of chosen keys. You can find more information on this one in the user manual included in the package. It’s a shame there’s no software to control these lighting options.

The letters and numbers on the keys are clearly marked, allowing the light to shine through. It makes using this keyboard a wonderful experience.

Performance & Features

As I mentioned before, typing on the Kebohub was overall a great experience for me. The keyboard is built ergonomically, and my wrists don’t tire even after using it for several hours straight. All keycaps are designed to fit the human finger, to reduce hand fatigue after prolonged usage, and to ensure your comfort.

All the while, the rubber feet provide a decent grip on the desk and make sure the keyboard stays in place while you’re typing.

The blue switches provide just enough resistance when typing and produce the old-school clicking noise. Using the Kebohub truly feels like you’re typing on a typewriter. While the sound is satisfying, I wouldn’t recommend this type of switch for live streaming/gaming. Your mic will likely pick up on those keyboard noises, and it might ruin the audio side of your recording. If you’re looking for something in the middle, go for the brown switch, which is also available on Indiegogo.

The USB Hub

The Kebohub EE01 is a wired keyboard. Unlike a wireless keyboard that connects to your computer via Bluetooth, it doesn’t require a charger and provides a more stable connection. However, the main reason the Kebohub is wired is because it comes with a built-in hub.

You get a variety of ports available just at the back of your keyboard, which is more convenient than you can imagine. If you own a modern MacBook, it probably comes with just two USB-C ports. One of those ports will often be used to charge your computer, so all you’re left with is just one port. Besides, if you ever need to plug in something with a USB-A cable, like a hard drive, you must use a dongle.

Kebohub can replace the dongle and allow you to use USB sticks, card readers, USB headsets, and hard drives, and even charge your smartphone using its 5-in-one hub.

The keyboard’s cable is Y-shaped and has two USB-C connectors on the end. You can use one of them. If you want more power for the ports, like when you want to use one of them as a power bank, it’s recommended to plug in both of the USB-C connectors. One connector provides a total output of 1.5A for a USB-C1 or USB-A1 port, while two connectors provide 1.5A for both USB-C1 and USB-A1 ports.

The availability of an HDMI port cannot be underestimated either. With the HDMI 2.0 port, your keyboard is compatible with 4K, 2K, 1080p, and 720p monitors.

If you’re dependent on ports, you’ll love the addition of the hub to this keyboard and will quickly forget how you lived without them before.

Should You Buy the Kebohub EE01 Mechanical Keyboard?

When I received the Kebohub EE01, I didn’t even know that I needed this keyboard. During a few months of testing it, it never failed in terms of connectivity and brought me lots of joy in the form of a beautiful typing experience. The 5-in-one hub is a brilliant idea and is bound to improve your productivity and help you declutter your computer desk. I can only recommend this keyboard to anyone looking for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard with added functionality.