In central Pennsylvania, the owner of an escape room business faces a computer problem: she needs a new PC setup. Many of the puzzles that her customers solve in her rooms are charmingly low-tech, but others involve no small amount of behind-the-scenes technological wizardry. To keep her employees in control of all the hidden doors, digital latches, cameras, displays, and sensors from a central location, she has three affordable laptops running in a small side office.
Unfortunately, her choice wasn’t well-aligned with the strengths of these devices. First off, these laptops haven’t moved an inch since she set them up three years ago: their portability isn’t being put to use. Second, our business owner needed to plan for a larger connectivity selection than laptops can provide. And it wasn’t an efficient use of space to give up that much desktop real estate to three laptops in a small office that also accommodates replacement hardware, power tools, adhesives, paints, and more.
Laptops are a savvy choice in many contexts, but business owners like our escape room operator are finding that the combination of a desktop computer monitor and a mini computer is a better fit. Not only can they get a bigger display than is possible in a laptop and beefed-up connectivity options, they also get more options for establishing a PC setup that’s fine-tuned for their specific needs.
But that’s just the high-level view for why you might prefer a mini-PC and monitor combo for your business. Let’s dig into the details.
Enhance productivity with space efficiency and clean aesthetics
In many business scenarios, space is a hard limitation. Mini-PCs stand out as one of the most efficient ways to save space without sacrificing computing power. Mini desktop PCs are designed to stay out of sight and work seamlessly with external monitors, keyboards, and mice, making them a clean centerpiece for PC setups. They allow for a surprising number of installation options, as well. Mini-PCs are small enough to tuck behind a monitor, mount under a desk, or sit unobtrusively in a corner. This combination of tiny size and versatile placement makes mini-PCs the most adaptable choice for users who want the functionality of a desktop without the clutter, and the flexibility of a laptop without the compromises of limited screen and ergonomic constraints.
For many workers, the space efficiency of a mini-PC is welcome but the reduced clutter is a godsend. Many of us are simply more productive when our workspace is clean, tidy, and simplified. And in this regard, a mini-PC and monitor combo is hard to beat. With wireless peripherals, the mini-PC mounted behind the monitor, and a desk-mounted monitor arm, you can have a complete ergonomic PC setup with zero visible wires and almost nothing even touching the desktop but a keyboard and mouse.
Enjoy the convenience of all-in-one PCs without the limitations
All-in-one PCs can offer a similar experience to monitor and mini-PC combinations, but with some pros and cons that might sway your decision.
The chief value of an all-in-one PC is convenience. You pull it out of the box, and it’s an entire PC experience in a design that looks like a monitor, if perhaps a little thicker. But what you gain in convenience you tend to lose in flexibility. Opting for a small-form-factor PC allows you to select virtually any display you want while still taking up very little room. If one employee needs a super-ultrawide display and another will do just fine with a standard 27-inch monitor, you can give each what they need while purchasing the same mini-PC for both.
There’s also the question of what happens if a device breaks down. With an all-in-one PC, a fault in one part typically requires the entire PC to be replaced. But with a mini PC and a monitor, that scenario doesn’t require you to replace the whole system. Just swap out the affected part and continue to get use out of the other.
Finally, a mini-PC plus monitor setup can still give you the convenience of powering on a full system with one button press, as you do with an all-in-one PC. ASUS Power Sync lets you activate both your ASUS NUC and a connected monitor with a single press of just one of their power buttons. Power Sync lets you use the button of whatever device is handy, so that one touch controls both. This feature is especially helpful in contexts where you intend to mount the mini-PC out of sight or out of reach.
Support versatile use cases through wide-ranging display options
Choosing a small-form-factor PC paired with a dedicated monitor also gives you the opportunity to select a monitor that’s precision-built for a specific use case.
Examples aren’t hard to find. Healthcare institutions can use this approach to pair fanless mini-PCs and medical-grade monitors for cleanroom compliance. Educational institutions can establish space-efficient computer labs with hardware equipped with anti-theft brackets. Design firms can build color-accurate workstations. You can establish a sleek reception kiosk at your front desk using touch monitors, or digital signage for a retail branch, all while keeping the PC running the show tucked out of sight.
And that’s just the start of the different types of monitors that you’ll be able to select when you’re pairing a display with a mini-PC:
- Displays of all sizes are readily available to connect to your mini-PC. Whereas laptop displays cap out at about 18 inches, 27-inch monitor options are readily available, as are 32-inch monitors and even higher. Different aspect ratios are available, as well, like ultra-wide 34-inch monitors.
- Curved monitors are a popular choice for users picking ultrawide or super-ultrawide monitors that give you more horizontal screen space than monitors with a standard 16:9 ratio or 16:10 ratio. That’s because a curved monitor keeps each pixel equidistant from your eyes for consistent color performance across the entire screen.
- A monitor with a webcam simplifies a key part of any hybrid or remote work setup by integrating the webcam into your monitor for convenience and control. The ASUS BE279QFK, for instance, adds a 1080p webcam to a recipe that includes all the business essentials: an ergonomic design, Eye Care technology, extensive connectivity, and built-in videoconferencing controls.
- An OLED monitor offers exceptional contrast and color performance, features which make them excellent choices for many creative fields. The high-end contrast also allows for more comfortable and precise reading of text, which can provide a welcome productivity boost in fields like software development.
- The multi-monitor setups of many professionals include a monitor oriented in portrait mode rather than landscape, as this makes it easier to see more of a long document at a glance. Typically, you’re not looking for a vertical monitor for this scenario, but a monitor that pivots 90° so that you can use it in either mode. A sturdy, versatile stand or a monitor arm makes this arrangement secure and comfortable to use.
- A portable monitor, sometimes called a travel monitor, is a compelling choice for any scenario where you want a complete PC setup that’s easy to break down, move, and set up again. Such a display is like a portable laptop screen, an ultra-slim and lightweight monitor that takes up hardly any desktop space and slips easily into a satchel.
- Touchscreen monitors are less common in the desktop space than with laptops, but it’s not hard to find a portable display with touchscreen functionality that you can plug into a mini-PC.
- A smart monitor combines the functionality of a desktop monitor with a smart TV platform like Google TV. It gives you easy ways to display a wide range of content, even without a PC connected to it.
This modular approach also extends the lifecycle and adaptability of the workstation. If your business requires larger displays in the future, or needs to add specialty monitors such as ultrawide panels for project management dashboards or touchscreens for interactive kiosks, the mini computer can continue to serve as the backbone without requiring a full system replacement.
Prep your office for mobility and hot-desking
Portability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a mini-PC and monitor combination, but portability means different things in different contexts. Certainly, such a setup won’t be your go-to solution for getting work done on an airplane. But many businesses are more concerned with finding tech that moves easily around the shared workspace at the office — or accompanies their hybrid workers at home as they move from room to room.
And in those contexts, a monitor and mini-PC are more than portable enough to meet the moment. An ASUS NUC mini-PC is small enough to hold on the palm of one hand, and it’s not hard to find portable or movable monitors that are just as easy to relocate. The ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF or ZenScreen MB27ACF, for instance, gives you a thin and lightweight screen that’s easy to set up with its integrated kickstand — and that kickstand doubles as a carrying handle.
These systems can be very easy to hook up on the fly, too. Select a PC monitor like the ASUS BE27ACGN, and you’ll have access to a USB Type-C port ready to supply a mini-PC with power, accept a display signal, connect to the local network via the RJ45 Ethernet port, and connect any peripherals via its integrated USB hub. There’s even passthrough port for the headphone jack input, streamlining the process of connecting audio. For businesses that rely on hot-desking workspaces, that efficiency is hard to ignore.
Streamline IT workflows with rapid deployment and fleet management
For IT teams, mini-PCs make rapid deployment and ongoing fleet management far more efficient than traditional systems. Pre-imaged units can be attached to monitors in seconds using tool-less VESA slide-in brackets, allowing bulk rollouts across offices with minimal effort.
Easy management options give your IT staff easy tools to monitor and control your NUCs. ASUS Control Center Express, our real-time IT monitoring and management software, enhances enterprise productivity with hardware and software monitoring, remote management, and asset management. Even when tucked neatly behind a display, advanced remote management technologies like Intel vPro remain fully accessible, enabling IT personnel to update BIOS settings, perform OS-level maintenance, and troubleshoot issues from a centralized console. This combination of fast installation and robust remote control dramatically reduces downtime and simplifies the challenges of managing large PC fleets.
Get the performance that you need in a compact design
Going small on size doesn’t mean giving up on performance. While many business use cases prioritize reliability and serviceability more than raw processing power, many others need to target higher-performance hardware to keep their employees productive. Architects, 3D product designers, game developers, data scientists, financial analysts, and visual effects artists all require high-performance machines, and they can get what they need with the latest ASUS NUC mini-PCs.
The NUC 15 Pro is destined to be a reliable workhorse PC for businesses and home users everywhere. With up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 265H with vPro offering 18% more performance over last-gen models and up to 99 platform TOPS, it’s optimized for a wide range of workloads. We’ve boosted its connectivity with WiFi 7, certified Bluetooth for enhanced audio quality and seamless connections.
Perhaps you need the specialized capabilities of a GPU. Check out the NUC 15 Performance. It’s a bit larger than the baseline ASUS NUC models, though its sleek 3-liter chassis is still very compact. That additional space makes room for a discrete GPU up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, providing a massive performance uplift. And don’t worry about performance throttling under heavy, sustained workloads. The NUC 15 Performance is equipped with a unified vapor chamber and triple-fan cooling that’s ready to keep performance smooth and fan noise low.
Meet your organization’s goals for sustainability and energy savings
Pairing a mini-PC with a desktop monitor also brings clear sustainability and energy-saving advantages. Mini-PCs typically consume far less power than traditional desktops, and when paired with an energy-efficient, EPEAT Gold certified monitor, the total system footprint is significantly reduced. This not only lowers electricity costs across an office environment but also helps organizations meet sustainability goals by cutting overall energy consumption.
ASUS NUC mini-PCs go a step further with further excellent options for serviceability and upgrades, giving you a longer lifespan of use out of your PC hardware and reducing e-waste. NUC 15 Pro units allow for tool-free RAM or storage upgrades, while additional internal headers and expansion accessories allow for further customization. Additionally, the modular nature of a mini-PC and monitor setup allows businesses to upgrade or replace parts independently, extending the lifecycle of each component. Over time, this reduces electronic waste while providing a greener, more cost-effective approach to maintaining a modern IT infrastructure.
Get peace of mind with unified support and warranty
Pairing a mini-PC and computer monitor from the same company simplifies procurement and long-term support in ways that directly benefit businesses. With a single invoice and a bundled SKU, organizations can streamline purchasing and accounting while ensuring both devices share synchronized warranty terms, such as a three-year onsite next-business-day service plan.
Just as importantly, pre-validated compatibility between the PC and display eliminates the risk of hardware or driver conflicts and removes the unfortunately common issue of vendors shifting blame when problems arise. This integrated approach reduces administrative overhead, ensures smooth deployment, and provides peace of mind that both the computing and display components are fully supported under one unified service structure.
Establish an upgrade pathway to multi-monitor productivity
For many of today’s workers, one display isn’t enough. Multitasking has become part of the fabric of modern work as employees juggle work chat, email, reference materials, and browser windows in addition to the apps that drive their primary workflows. That’s simply too much to keep visible on one screen at a time, causing workers to lose precious time to task switching and constant interrupts.
Multi-monitor setups resolve this problem in a heartbeat. Most PCs give you a mechanism for adding a second monitor, but mini-PCs offer even more with many including multiple port options for connecting displays and the capability of branching out into a 3 monitor setup with 4K displays, and sometimes more.
A desktop PC equipped with a graphics card will offer plenty of display outputs, but you don’t actually need to go that big in order to get the multi-monitor setup that you need. ASUS NUC mini-PCs provide a level of flexibility for multi-monitor setups that far surpasses what laptops or all-in-one PCs can typically offer. Equipped with multiple native display connections, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt, ASUS NUCs make it easy to drive three, four, or even more monitors simultaneously. This capability is particularly valuable in business, finance, design, and content creation, where extended screen real estate directly translates to greater productivity.
Differentiate your brand
So far, we’ve primarily been thinking about the ways that a mini computer and monitor combination can affect businesses from an internal perspective: boosting productivity, streamlining IT, empowering diverse workflows, and more. But it’s worth thinking about how your chosen technology affects your business from external perspectives, as well.
When clients and customers approach your reception desk, enter buildings such as your retail outlets, or interact with your brand via kiosks and digital signage, the technology that they see communicates something about your brand. In these scenarios, all the qualities that we’ve been highlighting about monitor and mini-PC bundles take on new significance. A clutter-free desk with no visible wires offers more than undistracted productivity, but a professional public-facing appearance. The ability to mount a mini PC does more than free up desk space. It enables you to drive a display with PC that’s completely tucked out of sight. The freedom to select any display allows you to find the right PC monitor for the moment, whether that’s a big wall-mounted 4K monitor, a thin touchscreen, or a monitor that works in portrait mode.
With a monitor and a mini PC, you have the connectivity, versatility, and options to fit just about any customer-facing scenario, giving you the tools you need to tell your brand story in your way.
ASUS has the mini-PCs and the monitors that you need for any level of enterprise
At the end of the day, every type of PC has a place. Each form factor has a set of scenarios that align well with its capabilities. But for those scenarios that call for a space-saving PC that doesn’t need to travel in a laptop bag every day, the advantages of a mini-PC and a monitor are hard to ignore. Compact, serviceable, easily upgradable, and highly flexible, this combination allows you to get the performance and connectivity that you need along with the perfect display for the situation.
At ASUS, we design mini-PCs and monitors — not to mention motherboards, servers, PC building components, peripherals, laptops, routers smartphones, and more. That puts us in a position to handle an incredible range of your business’s technology needs. To learn more about our full lineup of ASUS NUC mini-PCs, click here. For an overview of our business monitor lineup, click here.