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Home Lab Mini PCs for Proxmox, Docker and NAS Builds

Virtualisation, networking and storage in a small box.

What to look for

Home lab machines are judged on networking, memory headroom and storage slots rather than raw speed. Two network ports let one machine route or segment traffic; a single port means a second adapter for anything beyond a plain host. Memory is usually the first thing to run out, so look at the slot count and whether the memory is soldered rather than only at what is installed. Storage slots decide whether you can separate the hypervisor from the data. We record network ports and speeds, M.2 slot counts and memory ceilings per model, and leave the field blank where the manufacturer does not publish it.

How to choose

  1. Step 1

    Count your virtual machines, then set memory from that

    Memory runs out before anything else in a home lab. One to three virtual machines are comfortable on 16 GB. Four to eight want 32 GB. Nine or more want 64 GB. Work out the number you actually intend to run, add one, and buy to that. The finder applies these same thresholds and will not let a machine through on its maximum supported memory.

  2. Step 2

    Decide whether you need a second network port

    This is the question that separates a plain host from a router or firewall. One port is fine for a Docker host or an application server. Two ports let one machine route between networks, run a firewall, or keep management traffic separate. A few models go further with 10GbE over SFP+, which matters for storage traffic and almost nothing else.

  3. Step 3

    Check the storage slots, not just the drive that comes with it

    Running the hypervisor and the data on the same drive works until it does not. Two M.2 slots let you separate them. Three, as on the MS-01, let you add a cache or a mirror. Count the slots on the model page rather than assuming the shipped drive is the limit.

  4. Step 4

    Prefer sockets over soldered memory

    A home lab grows. A machine with two SODIMM slots can take more memory in a year; one with soldered memory cannot. Where a model has slots and the memory is not soldered, we mark it upgradeable. Where the manufacturer does not publish the slot count, we leave it unconfirmed rather than assume.

Mini PC deals

All mini PCsUnder £250RyzenIntelAppleBarebones
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56 mini PCs

Product image: GMKtec NucBox G10

GMKtec NucBox G10

AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
CPU
16 GB DDR4
RAM
256 GB SSD
STORAGE
2.5GbE
NETWORK
£299.96
£309.96SAVE £10.00
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Product image: MINISFORUM MS-01

MINISFORUM MS-01

Intel Core i5-12600H
CPU
BAREBONES
CONFIG
RAM & SSD required
2x 10GbE SFP+
NETWORK
2x 2.5GbE
NETWORK
£399.99
Kit price, before RAM and SSD
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Product image: MINISFORUM UM890 Pro

MINISFORUM UM890 Pro

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
CPU
BAREBONES
CONFIG
RAM & SSD required
Dual 2.5GbE
NETWORK
£425.00
Kit price, before RAM and SSD
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Product image: GMKtec NucBox K13

GMKtec NucBox K13

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
CPU
16 GB LPDDR5X
RAM
512 GB SSD
STORAGE
5GbE
NETWORK
£469.96
£489.96SAVE £20.00
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Product image: ASUS NUC 14 Pro

ASUS NUC 14 Pro

Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
CPU
BAREBONES
CONFIG
RAM & SSD required
2.5GbE
NETWORK
£510.41
Kit price, before RAM and SSD
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Product image: GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra

GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra

Above typical price
AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS
CPU
16 GB DDR5
RAM
512 GB SSD
STORAGE
Dual 2.5GbE
NETWORK
£549.96
Buy on Amazon View details
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What the numbers mean

Installed memory

How many virtual machines fit

16 GB for 1 to 3, 32 GB for 4 to 8, 64 GB for 9 or more

Network ports

Whether it can route or segment

Two or more for routing and firewalls; one is enough for a plain host

Network speed

Storage and backup throughput

2.5GbE is the current norm; 10GbE SFP+ on a small number of models

M.2 slots

Separating hypervisor from data

Two minimum, three if you want cache or a mirror

Memory slots

Whether capacity can grow

Two SODIMM slots and not soldered

Common mistakes

  • Buying for the processor. Home lab work is bound by memory and network ports long before it is bound by cores.
  • Reading maximum supported memory as installed memory. The machine ships with what it ships with, and the maximum only matters if the slots are accessible.
  • Assuming a single network port is enough, then discovering a USB adapter is the only way to add a second.

Questions worth asking

How much memory do I need?

One to three virtual machines are comfortable on 16 GB. Four to eight want 32 GB, and nine or more want 64 GB. The finder applies those thresholds rather than letting a machine through on its maximum supported memory.

Do I need more than one network port?

For a plain Docker or application host, no. For routing, firewalling or segmented networks, two ports save you a USB adapter. A few models go further with 10GbE over SFP+.

Is a barebones kit a good starting point?

Often, because you choose the memory and storage yourself and can fit more than the configured versions ship with. You are buying a chassis, a processor and the ports, and nothing else.

BarebonesCodingLocal AI

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.