MSI Upgraded PRO DP21 Mini 2026, Core i3-13100, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black

A tiny PC with big RAM and a budget brain. Paying $1,039 for integrated graphics and an i3 is a tough pill to swallow.

The 32GB of DDR4 is the surprise here. That's more memory than most gaming rigs we see, and it sits at the 65th percentile for this category. But then you look at the i3-13100 and realize all that RAM is like putting racing tires on a golf cart. The CPU lands at the 36th percentile, which is fine for email and light multitasking, but the integrated UHD Graphics are a real letdown at the 14th percentile. Don't even think about gaming on this thing. The 1TB SSD is solid, middle of the pack, and the port selection is actually decent with DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, and seven USB-A ports. For a mini PC, that's generous.

Stack this against the Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra and it's not even a fair fight. The Mac Studio obliterates it in every performance metric, though it costs significantly more. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 and HP OMEN GT16-0364 are gaming-focused towers that make the DP21 look like a toy in the graphics department. But those are full-size desktops. If you're specifically shopping for a mini PC, the real competition is other compact boxes, and this one doesn't stand out. The ASUS ROG GM700 and CLX SET are also in a different league performance-wise. The DP21 only wins if your top priority is physical size and you don't care about speed.

Here's the problem. This thing costs $1,039 USD. For that money, you're getting a budget processor and integrated graphics that can barely handle a YouTube video at 4K. The RAM and SSD are nice, but they don't justify the price. You're paying a premium for the small form factor, and unless you absolutely need a tiny PC, this is a tough sell. There are cheaper mini PCs with similar specs, and there are much more powerful desktops for the same money.

The MSI PRO DP21 Mini is a weird little box. You get a ton of RAM and a big SSD stuffed into a tiny chassis, but the processor is a budget i3 and the graphics are whatever Intel crams onto the chip. It's a machine built for spreadsheets and browser tabs, not anything that needs real horsepower. The one thing to know? This is a compact office PC with an identity crisis, priced like it thinks it's something more.

If you're looking for any kind of gaming or creative performance, this isn't it. Go get a proper desktop with a dedicated GPU instead. If you want a mini PC for basic office work, there are cheaper options with similar specs. This is for someone who specifically needs a tiny Windows 11 Pro machine with lots of RAM and doesn't mind paying a premium for the form factor.

Skip it. The MSI PRO DP21 Mini is a niche product that doesn't nail its niche. If you need a compact office PC, there are better options that don't cost over a grand. If you need performance, this isn't the machine. The only scenario where this makes sense is if you're desperate for a tiny Windows 11 Pro box with lots of RAM and you don't care about CPU or GPU performance at all. Even then, shop around first.