HP Pro Mini 400 G9 review: An ultra-compact office computer

Finest Costs Right this moment: HP Professional Mini 400 G9

$956.42

HP has a number of variations of mini PCs and the Professional Mini 400 is their most compact but. The newest version is named the G9 and it’s offered in many alternative configurations, with twelfth or thirteenth technology Intel Core i5 or Core i7 for desktop computer systems and numerous quantities of reminiscence and SSD. There can be variants with or with out Wi-Fi, which is solely a small M.2 card mounted in a normal place within the laptop.

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

Efficiency is nice, however not nice. The processor’s six cores are good at pushing particular person cores excessive for brief intervals of time, however don’t accomplish that nicely for top steady masses. This ends in excessive Geekbench outcomes and decrease Cinebench scores in my measurements. It matches the expertise after I use the pc. Modifying and chopping a video undertaking is easy and seamless even with a lot of results and brief sequences with many layers, but it surely takes longer to export the outcome.

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HP Professional Mini 400 G9: Design

The Professional Mini 400 is a flat little field, measuring simply over 17x17cm huge/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 displays.

Mattias Inghe

On a desk, it’s discreet and stands firmly on rubber toes, although it’s not essentially the most engaging factor on the earth. A black, flat aluminum tube with connectors and cooling grids on the flat back and front. Constructed 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 should you don’t have every other audio machine linked through headphones, USB, or display screen. It doesn’t sound nice, but it surely’s higher than you’d count on and can be utilized in emergencies to listen to what’s being mentioned in video conferences or to play system sounds and movies. However 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 machine, and also you gained’t want a USB hub anytime quickly. Principally USB-A, but additionally 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 Professional Mini 400 G9: Simple to open

The highest 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 develop the storage, you’ll have to switch your entire SSD with a bigger one. However a minimum of the SSD is simple to entry not like the reminiscence that’s hidden beneath the system fan.

In accordance with unconfirmed data, it needs to be potential to put in a 2.5-inch disc within the laptop, however there’s no inside SATA port. Is it definitely worth the trouble? No, join extra storage on USB as an alternative. It really works completely nicely.

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 nearly unimaginable 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 Professional Mini 400 G9: Cooling

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

You possibly can nonetheless purchase the HP Professional Mini 400 G9 with Home windows 10 Professional, which Microsoft nonetheless permits for enterprise computer systems. Then you definately get a free improve to Home windows 11 Professional if you’d like it. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t return to Home windows 10 Professional once more should you change your thoughts.

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

HP Professional Mini 400 G9: Score: 3 out of 5

HP Professional Mini 400 G9: Specs

Product Identify: HP Professional Mini 400 G9
Examined: January 2024
Producer: HP
Examined mannequin: 6B2D9EA#UUW
Processor: Intel Core i5-12500T, 6pcs P-core 2-4.4 GHz
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770
Reminiscence: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB
Enlargement 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.
Wi-fi: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2
Working system: Home windows 11 Professional (pre-installed with Home windows 10 Professional downgrade)
Different: Audio system
Noise stage: 27-35 dBa
Measurement: 17,7 x 17,5 x 3,42 cm

HP Professional Mini 400 G9: Efficiency

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