Small desktop, small price, big features
Mid-tower PC cases dominate budget desktop shopping, but why not go smaller? Starting at $329 ($471 as tested), the MSI Pro DP21 is a mini PC that holds just as much capability in about one-tenth the space. Compact enough for VESA mounting behind a monitor or under a desk, it nevertheless has plenty of ports, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a perky Intel Core i3 processor. The ECS Liva Z3 and Intel NUC 12 Pro are even smaller, but neither balances price and performance as well as the Pro DP21. With that, this mini MSI easily earns an Editors’ Choice award among budget mini PCs.The Outside: Function Over Form
MSI’s Pro DP21 is aimed at home and business users with everyday needs such as office productivity, web surfing or video streaming, and point-of-sale operations. Our entry-level review unit has a quad-core Intel Core i3-12100 processor, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), and Windows 11 Home. The PC is ready to run out of the box and includes a basic USB keyboard and mouse. All you’ll need to add is a monitor.
This PC’s no-nonsense case measures 2.2 by 8 by 8.2 inches (HWD), which works out to a volume of just 2.3 liters. That’s almost nothing when you consider a typical mid-tower is around 30 liters.
As mentioned, the Pro DP21 supports VESA mounting, allowing you to put it behind a monitor, on a wall, or even attached to the underside of your desk. If you don’t want to mount it, that’s fine; it can lie horizontally or be placed vertically in its included stand.
Design-wise, the Pro DP21 won’t attract second glances, though its front panel makes an attempt at standing out with plastic ridges for definition and a silver MSI logo. Ports up front include 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks and four retro USB 2.0 ports. The power button glows white when the system is powered on.
Around the back, you’ll find HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort video outputs, each supporting 4K at 60Hz for a modern dual-monitor setup. In addition to those are Gigabit Ethernet, serial, three USB Type-A (two versions of 3.2 Gen 1 and one 3.2 Gen 2), one USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 2), and microphone-in and line-out audio jacks. A final connector accommodates the laptop-style 120-watt AC adapter, as this desktop is simply too small for an internal power supply.
This little desktop allows for commendable serviceability. Removing two Philips screws lets you slide the top panel rearward.
