The Intel 7th generation CPUs for most tiny PCs generally ranges from the i3-7100t to the i7-7700t. The exceptions are the HP Elitedesk 800 G3 Mini 65W version and the Dell 7050 micro version with power adapter requirements of 90W and above. The RAM for this series of CPUs is usually the DDR4 running at 2,400Mhz. Noteworthy is that many of the PCs in this category are able to take in Intel 6th generation CPUs. Common ones are the G4400t and the i5-6500t.
Typical of tiny PCs for the Intel 7th generation CPUs is the Lenovo M710q as can be seen from the photo above. The Lenovo M710q accepts only the M.2 NVME SSD and the 2.5in SATA SSD or HDD. So too is the higher spec version from a better chipset, the Lenovo M910q. The Lenovo M910q chipset allows for the V-Pro versions of the Intel 7th generation i5 and i7 CPUs to be used.The Lenovo M710q appears to provide good value for money due to its general availaility.
The HP mini PCs that can take in the 7th generation Intel CPUs starts from the HP Prodesk 400 G3 mini to the Prodesk 600 G3 mini and the premium Elitedesk 800 G3 Mini. All the HP Mini PCs accept M.2 NVME SSD and 2.5in SATA SSD/HDD. The HP Prodesk 400 G3 mini, as shown in the photo above, is a good buy due to its great value for money. Tests carried out showed that the HP Prodesk 400 G3 mini with i3-7100t CPU can be used for playing 4K movies without jerks or hesitations. This PC does not come with a USB-C port unlike its more advanced siblings, the Prodesk 600 G3 mini and the Elitedesk 800 G3 Mini. Thus if someone is looking for a mini PC and does not need a USB-C port, the HP Prodesk 400 G3 Mini is a good fit available at a lower price.
The HP Elitedesk 800 G3 mini comes in 2 versions, the 65W and 35W versions. The 65W version can accept Intel 7th generation CPUs without the suffix t. Common CPUs for the 65W version includes the i5-6500, i5-6600 and i7-7700. The main advantage is that these CPUs are significantly faster than the ones with the t siffix eg i5-6500t, i5-6600t and i7-7700t. The small price to pay is the slightly higher power consumption as 90W power adapters are needed for them. In contrast, the HP Prodesk 400 mini, Prodesk 600 mini and the Elitedesk 800 G3 mini 35W version all require only the normal 65W power adapter. Like the HP Elitedesk 800 G2 mini 65W, the Elitedesk 800 G3 Mini 65W version comes with open slits on the top cover to facilitate the dissipation of higher heat generated.
For Dell, the micro PCs that takes in Intel 7th generation CPUs ranges from the basic 3050 micro, to the 5050 micro and the 7050 micro. For the 3050 and the 5050 micros, the front panel comes with 2 USB3.1 ports. The Dell 7050 micro has a USB3.1 and a USB-C port. All the Dell micro PCs here accept the M.2 NVME SSD and the SATA 2.5in SSD/HDD. Like the HP Elitedesk 800 G3 mini, the Dell 7050 micro comes with a low power and a higher power version. The low power version with 65W power adapter is for CPUs with a t suffix like i5-6500t. The higher power version which uses the 90W power adapter accepts CPUs without the suffix t eg i7-7700. However from the front and back, it is not possible to distinguish one version from the other. Only at the bottom of the PC can the power supply requirements be noticed. The low power version requires a 19.5V and 3.34A power while the higher power version a 19.5V and 4.62A power.
Thus whether your brand preference is Lenovo, Dell or HP, there is a tiny PC version to fit your budget and meet your requirements.
This writeup is by beetlek who offers a wide range of mostly used small desktop PCs and occasional laptops for sale in Carousell Singapore. You can see his offering at this link https://www.carousell.sg/u/beetlek/ or search for user beetlek at Carousell Singapore.