Sometimes you just don't need that clunky old desktop PC. Even if you've gutted it and rebuilt with modern parts, an ATX desktop case takes up a ton of space. And that's not including the keyboard, monitor, and mouse you need to actually use your desktop. This is why mini PCs and all-in-one desktops exist. While I've had a desktop PC for the last several years, I've gone through various tech permutations for my daily device, from a laptop to a desktop to an all-in-one.

For the sake of changing things up, I dropped my bulky desktop in favor of a sleeker mini-PC for just a week. And honestly, I don't miss much. While the mini PC can't game in 4K or get me nearly 200 fps thanks to AI-generated frames, but most days I don't need that kind of power. Switching from my gaming desktop to a mini PC not only saved me on my power bill, I'm also thrilled with the extra desk space I was able to get by opting for a smaller form-factor PC.

Space-saving is priceless

I live in a small apartment, so my desk has limited real estate.

The primary benefit to using a mini-PC is saving space on your desk. Whether that means using a gaming handheld PC as your mini-PC like I did recently, or using an actual mini-PC, the extra desk space can be a game-changer. While not everyone needs a ton of desk space, I find that I tend to be a desk-hog. Between my personal devices, gaming accessories, review products, paperwork, and general life over-flow, I will take over every inch of desk space available if given the opportunity.

I had solved this once by putting my ATX tower on the floor, but that's a great way to have to clean your PC every few days. Particularly if you live with a cat. No one wants cat fur clogging their intake fans, after all. Going for a mini PC instead, I was able to get that extra desk space without risking my computer fans coughing up a hairball.

Space saving and ease of cleaning are just two of the benefits to choosing a mini PC over a desktop tower, and those are absolutely worth considering. While not everyone needs the same degree of free desk space that I do, you really can't undersell how clean your desk looks when you take away your bulky desktop tower.

Gaming performance isn't everything

A mini PC can handle some gaming, and that's enough.

The one major issue I can run into with mini PCs is gaming performance. Even mini PCs built specifically with gamers in mind can't quite match up to a full ATX desktop tower, just due to the basics of thermodynamics. Mini PC cases just don't have space for massive cooling fans, full-sized desktop components, or hefty power supplies. Mini PCs also opt for integrated graphics chips over discrete graphics cards, because a GPU is a large, power-hungry component that also needs a lot of cooling.

With a mini PC, you're rocking an iGPU which will be able to game, assuming you're okay going for 1080p and medium settings.

That said, I don't spend my entire life gaming, much as I might prefer that. In my day-to-day life, I don't really need a discrete GPU system. And with home consoles and a gaming handheld, there are only a handful of games that I need my desktop for. So if I'm not logging in to Monster Hunter Wilds or Doom: The Dark Ages, there's really no reason for me to turn to my ATX over a mini PC.

Sometimes having two PCs is the way

Purpose-built tech is often the superior option.

It may be the theater kid in me, but sometimes you do just have to be extra about the things you care about. So personally, I kept my ATX tower connected to my mini PC during the transition period. So I could use the lower-power mini PC for my workday and then switch over to the more powerful gaming rig for my next raid night.

Obviously, this meant putting my ATX case back on the floor, though there are some risers you can get to keep your desktop out of the way of stray cat hair clumps while keeping your desktop clean. And for me, this just might be the ideal solution.

But I have the benefit of reviewing tech, so I've got a constantly rotating set of review units and component samples I can get my hands on which helps make this two PC setup work. For most, there's an easier solution.

A mini-ITX case is your other option

Save space, but get more power

If you need one PC for work and for gaming, either because of budget or space concerns, you can get the best of both worlds by going for a mini ITX PC over a full-sized or mid-sized tower.

With a mini ITX case, you get the opportunity to customize your build and upgrade as you go, so you aren't locked into one chipset or limited configuration options. It still saves space on your desk by being a fraction of the size of an ATX desktop. And it's easier to clean than an ATX tower because its got fewer places where dust or (in my case) cat hair can get inside the case.

You'll also still save on your power bill, because you won't need a huge 700-1,000 watt PSU to power an ITX board. Plus, you can opt for a smaller, more efficient GPU if you do decide to go the discrete GPU route for better gaming performance than a mini PC.