HP ProDesk 705 G4 Mini

The HP ProDesk 705 G4 Mini is a dirt-cheap, ultra-compact desktop that excels at basic office work and multitasking thanks to its 16GB of RAM and Windows 11 Pro. Its integrated graphics are a total dud for gaming, and the 256GB SSD is tight, but the fantastic port selection and tiny size make it a killer deal for a no-frills workstation.

Let's be real about what the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE can do. This is a 4-core, 3.2GHz chip with integrated Radeon Vega 11 graphics. In our database, the CPU sits at the 15th percentile, which sounds rough, but it's all about context. For office tasks, it's snappy. Word, Excel, Outlook, and a pile of Chrome tabs won't phase it. The 16GB of RAM in our unit is a nice bump from the base 8GB configs you often see, and it makes multitasking genuinely smooth. The 256GB NVMe SSD is quick to boot and load apps, though its 19th percentile storage ranking means you'll want to lean on cloud storage or an external drive if you're hoarding files.

The integrated graphics are the obvious weak spot, landing in the 9th percentile. That's a polite way of saying don't even think about gaming on this thing. Our gaming score of 7 out of 100 is basically a tombstone. You can stream video flawlessly, even at 4K, but any 3D work or modern gaming is completely off the table. The fan can get a bit chatty under load, which is a common quirk with these ultra-compact designs, but it's nothing a little desk placement can't solve.

Stacked against the Dell Optiplex 7070, the HP holds its own in the same refurbished office PC arena. The Optiplex often comes with Intel chips from the same era and a similar port layout, so your choice might come down to which one you find cheaper on any given day. The Lenovo Yoga AIO F0J20012US and Apple iMac MNED2LL/A are completely different beasts. Those are all-in-ones with built-in displays and a much higher price tag, aimed at users who want a cleaner aesthetic and better screens out of the box. The HP is for the person who already has a monitor and keyboard they like.

Then there's the BOSGAME P3, a newer budget mini PC that packs a more modern Ryzen chip and often more storage for a slightly higher price. The BOSGAME will feel faster in single-core tasks and has a much better GPU, making it a better pick if you ever want to dabble in light photo editing or very casual gaming. The HP's advantage is its enterprise pedigree. These ProDesk units are built to be easily serviceable and run for years, which is why you see so many of them hitting the refurbished market in great shape.

At a street price between $195 and $245, the value proposition here is pretty clear. You're getting a fully functional, Windows 11 Pro machine with 16GB of RAM for less than the cost of a decent monitor. The main trade-off is raw performance. A newer mini PC like the Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus will run circles around it in CPU and GPU tasks, but it also costs significantly more. If your workload lives entirely in a web browser and Microsoft 365, saving the cash and grabbing this HP is a smart move. Just factor in that the 256GB SSD might need an external companion sooner rather than later.

The HP ProDesk 705 G4 Mini is one of those machines that doesn't try to be flashy, and honestly, it doesn't need to be. This little box is built for a desk in a cubicle, a front counter, or a home office where space is tight and you just need things to work. With an AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD, it's a refurbished workhorse that handles spreadsheets, video calls, and a dozen browser tabs without breaking a sweat. You'll find these floating around for roughly $195 to $245, which puts it squarely in budget territory for a Windows 11 Pro machine.

We see a lot of mini PCs come through our database, and the ProDesk 705 G4 carves out a specific niche. It's not trying to be a gaming rig or a creative workstation. Its scores in our compact (59.9) and business (56.8) categories tell the story: this is a dependable, no-nonsense office PC. The home office score dips a bit to 47.4, mostly because it lacks the modern flair or raw power some remote workers might want for side projects, but for pure productivity, it's right at home.

Connectivity is a strong point here. You get a DisplayPort, a USB-C port, and a generous six USB-A ports, plus Ethernet. That's more than enough for a dual-monitor setup, your peripherals, and a wired network connection without needing a dongle. If you're searching for a compact desktop that can drive a couple of screens for day trading or data entry, the port selection alone makes this a contender.

Skip this if you have any creative or gaming ambitions whatsoever. The integrated graphics are a dead end for photo editing, video rendering, or playing anything beyond Solitaire. If you need a mini PC that can handle a bit of everything, including light gaming, spend a little more on a newer model like the Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus or the BOSGAME P3. This HP is also a pass if you need a lot of local storage, as the 256GB drive will feel cramped fast and internal expansion options are limited.

Should you buy the HP ProDesk 705 G4 Mini? If you need a cheap, tiny, and reliable computer for a basic workstation, the answer is a solid yes. It's perfect for a receptionist's desk, a point-of-sale terminal, or a homework station for the kids. The combination of Windows 11 Pro, plenty of USB ports, and that small case makes it a fantastic utility player. Just go in with your eyes open about its limitations.

This is not a machine for creative work, gaming, or anything that pushes the GPU. If you're a tinkerer, you might also find the proprietary power supply and limited internal upgrade path a bit frustrating. But for a set-it-and-forget-it office PC that costs less than a smartphone, the ProDesk 705 G4 Mini delivers exactly what it promises.