KINGDEL Mini Desktop Computer, Fanless Mini PC with i7 11th Gen. CPU 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, 4K 4096×2304, HD Port, VGA, Full Metal Case

Excellent
I bought this unit to replace an aging home automation hub in my central AV/network rack. I have been using in for over six months and … like it so much I think I will buy a second for my home office. Fast, quiet, and never had an issue.

Not Full Version of Windows 11 Pro as Advertised
Pros:1. This is a snappy little computer, which I use as a security camera server.2. Build is solid3. Quality system components for the priceCons:1. Since it has no fan, it gets quite hot and has shut itself down a couple of times, presumably because of the heat (which isn’t great for a security camera server).2. Although advertised as including Windows 11 Pro, it doesn’t actually. It comes preloaded with Windows 11 Pro, but you can’t activate the operating system without paying $200 for a Windows 11 Pro code. In fairness, you can still use the computer as provided without activation, but there are certain limitations.

Solidly built, good performance for general computing and light gaming needs
We are generally a Mac family, but we find that every now and then, we want and/or need to do something on a Windows machine. These include heavier Excel (with familiar keyboard shortcuts) use, to playing more casual, but Windows-only games. Given the sporadic use, we didn’t want to get some big box that would perhaps have space for upgrades we will never need or that would take up on- or under-desk space we don’t have. So this mini-PC was an appealing option and reasonably priced for the specs (namely 16 GB ram and a 1 TB NVMe SSD). I didn’t want to hang an external drive off the side of this device, so the decent size SSD was important.I repurposed an LG 4K HDR monitor from my Mac mini setup to connect to this PC and it worked flawlessly. I got full-res 4K and HDR, with decent frame rates for anything we were using it for. The machine never felt sluggish, even pushing all those pixels. It would get quite warm, so you don’t want to put it somewhere it can’t breathe. But it was a nice, solid performance. And the case is very solid feeling in all metal.I will say I was a bit nervous about putting a machine from a no-name producer on my network, so I did a fresh install of Windows before getting running in earnest with it. That being said, while it was off the network — and pre the Windows re-install — I looked at the included software and it wasn’t too bloated with adware or other junk. I also ran the Windows Defender deep scan and all looked fine. But I’m cautious about this stuff…Note that it does include MS Office — but a super old version (maybe 2011???). I can’t recall exactly. It works, but was a blast from the past looking at that interface and I suspect it doesn’t offer any sort of upgrade path assuming you want a more modern Office vintage or to port over to 365.I/O wise, it’s not the most modern of machines. I’m using HDMI for my LG, which is fine. There is no DP connection and of course the GPU is not going to be upgradable (unless you have an external option of some sort, but I’m not expert enough on the Windows side to know if that’s possible). There is a complement USB 2 and 3 ports. No USB-C though, which feels pretty archaic. There are a couple of serial ports that I think you might be able to hook game controllers to, but I’m not certain. My gaming was done on the keyboard. I don’t believe there is a good way to connect a speedy external drive (beyond USB 3) if you need more storage, so make sure the 1TB is good for you.So overall, if this meets your needs and your expectations are set correctly, this could be a really good option for you. It was for us.

A Step Above Other Minis if You Need It
OK, it may not be as utilitarian as a standard desktop computer, but it does have 16gb RAM and 1tb NVME Disk, and runs on Windows 11 pro, all of being more than respectable for any computer. So now we come to the next step in computers – the laptop – while this mini-computer has no monitor a laptop comes with its display built-in. So, a laptop, while its display is limited by both size and resolution, is there, but the laptop gives you portability, and will normally cost more by several multiples. Comparing it to a “full” desktop again we give up several things – upgradeability, a powerful motherboard, and if you’re a gamer the video card. But you clearly have a large price advantage, even factoring in buying a monitor which you also need with a desktop, so that is a “wash”. But no matter how you gauge it this is not a unit that will suffice for gamers, without some video card power.So what is this for? IMO if you use a home computer for social media, email, and simple web surfing, you can buy this, get an intermediate monitor in the $200-$250 range, a few small dollars for a mouse, and wires, utilize the R45 port for internet access and do almost anything a laptop or desktop can do, with the caveat it won’t have WiFi if for some reason you need it. That you can get a plug-in WiFi addition. That scenario gets us this mid-performing, very respectable, computer for under $800, which again, IMO, is very good, and you can’t go wrong.Amazon does have several mini-computers very near to this ones specifications for about ½ the price, if you only need a smaller NVMe and you are fine with Windows 10 pro You get a real computer when you add a few additions, and it has enough USB ports (4) to mold it to your exact needs. So, you’ll have to make a value judgment on this buy. None have been around long enough to see their life spans. This one is definitely a cut above those ½ price versions if you need a little more computer for very little more money.