HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini 2018, Core i5-9500T, 16GB, 256GB SSD, Black

The HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini is a compact business desktop with an outstanding port selection and enough power for everyday office tasks. Its aging CPU and weak integrated graphics make it a poor choice for gaming or demanding work. At around $417 USD, it's a reasonable budget pick for basic productivity, but newer mini PCs offer much better performance for not much more money.

The Core i5-9500T is a 6-core chip with a 2.2GHz base clock, and it's fine for the basics. Word docs, Chrome with a dozen tabs, video calls, and light photo editing won't make it sweat much. But our database ranks the CPU at the 14th percentile for mini PCs, which means it's near the bottom of what's available right now. The 16GB of RAM helps keep multitasking smooth, though that's only at the 32nd percentile, so it's not exactly generous.

Gaming is where things fall apart. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 scores a 7.4 out of 100 in our gaming metric, which is about as close to zero as you can get without literally not having a GPU. You can play older 2D titles or stream games from the cloud, but anything modern at 1080p is off the table. The 256GB SSD is also tight. Windows 11 Pro eats a chunk of that, and you'll be managing storage before long.

Stacked against the Apple Mac mini M4, the EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini looks like it's from another decade. The M4's performance is in a completely different league, and even the base model's storage and RAM configs are more modern. But the Mac mini costs more, and if you're locked into Windows or need a ton of USB-A ports, the HP has a niche.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 5 is probably the closest direct competitor. It's also a compact business desktop, but with newer processor options and better overall performance. The Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus and GMKtec Nucbox K8 Plus both offer far stronger integrated graphics and more modern CPUs, making them better picks if you want any kind of media or light gaming capability. The HP's only real edge is that port selection, which is genuinely best-in-class.

At around $417 USD or $340 CAD, the EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini is priced like a budget mini PC, and that's fair. You're getting a lot of ports and a decent amount of RAM for the money. But the aging CPU and tiny SSD mean you're paying for connectivity more than performance. The Apple Mac mini M4 absolutely crushes this thing in speed, though it costs more. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 5 and Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus both offer newer silicon in similar footprints. If you can stretch your budget, those are better long-term bets. If you can't, this HP is a serviceable office box, just don't expect it to age gracefully.

The HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini is a refurbished compact business desktop that slots into the mini PC category, usually priced around $417 USD or $340 CAD depending on where you're shopping. It's built around a 6-core Intel Core i5-9500T, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD running Windows 11 Pro. The pitch is simple: a tiny, mountable box that keeps a desk clean while handling everyday office work. And for that specific job, it mostly makes sense.

But let's be honest about what this is. The i5-9500T is a low-power chip from 2019, and the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 was never meant for anything beyond spreadsheets and video calls. If you're searching for a mini PC for gaming or creative work, this isn't it. If you need a quiet, small machine for email, web browsing, and light productivity, it's worth a look.

The port situation is actually a highlight here. Our database puts connectivity at the 98th percentile for mini PCs, which means you get DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet, and a frankly ridiculous six USB-C and six USB-A ports. That's more than most full-size desktops. The catch is everything else: CPU, GPU, and storage all sit around the 14th percentile, so performance is firmly entry-level by today's standards.

Skip this if you want to play games, edit video, or run demanding software. The integrated graphics are a dead end, and the 256GB SSD will frustrate anyone with a large file library. Creative professionals should look at the Apple Mac mini M4 or a Minisforum model with stronger integrated graphics. If you need a machine that'll still feel fast in three years, the aging i5-9500T isn't a great foundation. And if you're buying refurbished, be ready for potential condition issues and missing wireless connectivity.

Should you buy the HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini? If you need a cheap, tiny Windows machine for basic office work and you value having every port imaginable, sure. It'll handle email, web browsing, and productivity apps without complaint. The 16GB of RAM is enough for typical multitasking, and Windows 11 Pro is a nice touch for business users.

But if you want to do anything beyond the basics, look elsewhere. The gaming performance is essentially nonexistent, the storage is cramped, and the processor is showing its age. For most people, spending a bit more on a newer mini PC will pay off in speed and longevity. This HP is a narrow tool for a narrow job.