MSI PRO DP21 PRODP2113M661 2024, Core i3-13100, 8GB, 1TB SSD, Black

The MSI PRO DP21 is a tiny office PC with a surprisingly capable desktop CPU and a generous 1TB SSD. The 8GB of RAM is a frustrating bottleneck you'll want to fix right away, and the integrated graphics are strictly for display output, not gaming. It's a solid buy for a clutter-free workspace if you snag it around $580 and budget for a RAM upgrade.

The Core i3-13100 is the star here, giving you proper desktop CPU performance that outclasses the low-voltage chips found in many other mini PCs. For office apps, web browsing, and spreadsheets, it's snappy and responsive. The integrated Intel UHD 730 graphics are a different story, they're fine for driving a couple of displays but choke hard on anything 3D, which is why gaming performance sits at a brutal 9 out of 100. The single 8GB stick of DDR4 is the real drag, it's just not enough for heavy multitasking and will make apps like Photoshop feel sluggish on complex files. You'll want to budget for a RAM upgrade immediately.

Stacked against an Apple Mac mini M4 Pro, the MSI gets utterly demolished in performance and efficiency but costs a fraction of the price, so it's an apples-to-oranges fight. The HP OmniDesk M03-0064 and Dell Tower ECT1250 are more direct competitors, offering similar specs in slightly larger traditional towers that are easier to upgrade and often come with more RAM for the same money. If you don't absolutely need the tiny footprint, those towers give you more room to grow. The Lenovo Legion Tower and iBUYPOWER Slate are in a different universe entirely, built for gaming with dedicated GPUs that make the MSI's integrated graphics look like a calculator.

Pricing on this model is all over the map, with a wild spread of over $20,000 between vendors, which is clearly some listing errors in the mix. The realistic price seems to hover around $580, and at that level, it's a fair deal for a business-ready mini PC with a Pro version of Windows. You're mainly paying for the compact design and the license. Just know that the true cost of ownership includes another stick of RAM to get the performance where it needs to be, so factor that into your budget.

The MSI PRO DP21 is a tiny desktop that tries to do a lot with a little. It packs a full desktop-grade Intel Core i3-13100 into a chassis you can mount behind a monitor, which is honestly pretty slick for a clutter-free office setup. You get a generous 1TB NVMe SSD and Windows 11 Pro right out of the box, so it's ready for work the moment you plug it in.

But there are some corners cut to hit this form factor and price. The 8GB of RAM is a real bottleneck, landing in the 10th percentile for this category, and the 120W power brick is a known weak spot according to some owners. It's a solid little office machine with a few asterisks you need to know about before buying.

Gamers and content creators should look elsewhere immediately. The integrated Intel UHD 730 graphics are one of the weakest we've seen for 3D work, and the 8GB of RAM will choke on any serious creative application. If you need a machine for anything beyond office apps and web browsing, a traditional tower with a dedicated GPU is the way to go.

This is a purpose-built machine for a specific person: someone who needs a basic, Windows 11 Pro desktop that disappears behind a monitor in a reception area, kiosk, or minimalist office. It handles spreadsheets, email, and web apps without breaking a sweat or taking up desk space. Just plan on cracking it open to add a second stick of RAM before you deploy it, and maybe keep a spare power brick handy if the included one gives up the ghost.