Desktops have largely fallen out of favor with home consumers, as they instead opt for laptops. Really, it isn't hard to see why this is -- a desktop PC often takes up a lot of room in a home, as it usually requires its own dedicated desk. Not to mention, you then have to add a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. You are then tethered to one place, unable to realistically work outdoors or at a coffee shop.

And yet, despite all the benefits a notebook has over a desktop, many people -- including yours truly -- prefers them. If you like the idea of a desktop, but prefer one that is very small (and won't take up a lot of space), there are plenty of options such as Intel NUC and Apple Mac mini. Today, we get another diminutive desktop option, but this one is designed for Linux and privacy. Yes, Purism is finally launching a tiny desktop, and it will come pre-installed with the Debian-based PureOS. Called "Librem Mini," the cute bugger has 4 USB-A ports on the front, along with a 3.5mm audio jack, and the power button. On the rear, there are two more USB-A ports, a single USB-C port, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and the power port.

Built with the same security and privacy standards Purism is known for, the Librem Mini promises a smaller and versatile alternative to a desktop computer, but you can also use it as a set-top TV box or powerful home server.

Featuring a beautiful and modern design, the device uses Purism’s PureBoot secured boot process, PureOS Linux-based operating system, Heads secure BIOS replacement, and support for the Librem Key security key to detect, disable and prevent device tampering.

The Purism Librem Mini is a small form factor PC powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. And, as you’d expect from this company, the uni runs Linux out of the box.

“Smaller than a Mac Mini, slightly bigger than a Raspberry Pi. More freedom, more privacy, more security,” Purism says of the device.

The minimal footprint of the fan-cooled Librem Mini should mean it works well as a desktop PC, but also as a media centre and entertainment hub or even a home server.

Linux laptop maker Purism recently got into the Linux smartphone space with the Librem 5. And now the company is expanding into another market — desktops.

The Purism Librem Mini is a small form-factor desktop computer that measures about 5″ x 5″ x 1.5″ and which houses an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8565U Whiskey Lake processor.

But unlike most mini PCs in this space, the Librem Mini ships with a GNU/Linux distribution and features Purism’s security and privacy features. It’s priced at $699 and up and the Librem Mini is available for pre-order starting today.

Today, we get another diminutive desktop option, but this one is designed for Linux and privacy.

Purism has been known for its Linux-based secure and privacy-focused laptops for years, and more recently they developed Librem 5 Linux smartphone with the same philosophy in mind.

But now the company has introduced Purism Mini based on an Intel Core i7 Whiskey Lake processor with up to 64GB DDR4 RAM and running PureOS Linux distribution, and Coreboot based PureBoot bootloader that disables and neutralizes Intel Management Engine (IME).

Purism flaunts itself as “Social Purpose Company” aiming to do good for society and they have several services and products to offer in this regard.

While you might be aware of its Librem series of Linux laptops, Librem One (encrypted services), PureOS Linux, and the Librem 5 Linux smartphone. Now, they have come up with a small-factor mini PC targeted at the users who want to take control of their privacy and security.

The Librem Mini is first and foremost a device that’s supposed to come with all the benefits of the Librem lineup of computers in a smaller form factor, so it still runs PureOS with Pureboot and Librem Key support.

It can be used as a stand-alone desktop computers “to protect your family and business,” as the parent company itself says, but it can also play the role of a media center as it offers smooth 4K video at 60 fps. And of course, it can also be a mini server with full disk encryption and tamper detection.

Purism aren't a company we cover here often, as their devices aren't usually gaming related. However, they did just announce a mini-PC that looks and sounds rather lovely called the Librem Mini.

Sized at 12.8cm (5.0 inches) x 12.8cm (5.0 inches) x 3.8cm (1.5 inches) they say it's smaller than a Mac Mini and not that much bigger than a Raspberry Pi. Powerful too with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U processor, up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM, Intel UHD Graphics 620, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 which will both support 60Hz 4K, Gigabit Ethernet LAN and plenty of ports it's a mighty sounding machine.

It seems that we have gotten past the obsession with dongles that gave rise to small HDMI PC sticks. Thanks to the popularity of set-top and smart TV boxes as well as the revival of the Mac Mini, we’re back to being fascinated with small boxes that act as full-blown desktops, sans the discrete graphics card. Comparing Purism’s latest product to the Apple Mac Mini probably isn’t too far-fetched but the Librem Mini does have the advantage not only in power but in the promise of control, security, and privacy.

Purism, a company that has already impressed with its Librem lineup of devices, is ready to enter the mini-PC fight with a new device called Librem Mini and supposed to offer all the benefits of its other products but packed in a smaller form factor.

So today, we’ll be providing you with a closer look at Librem Mini in a way that could help you decide whether it’s worth the money or not.

Purism has launched the new Linux mini PC this week with prices starting from $699 for a system equipped with an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8565U Whiskey Lake processor. Immediate PC measures approximately 5 x 5 x 1.5 inches in size and comes preloaded with a GNU/Linux-based PureOS software, Pureboot bootloader, and support for the company’s Librem Key security key.

Connectivity on the Linux PC include HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, 4 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 3.5mm audio combo jack, Gigabit Ethernet and optional wireless module (802.11n + Bluetooth 4.0).

Purism’s $599 and up “Librem Mini” mini-PC runs its Linux-based, privacy focused PureOS on an 8th Gen Whiskey Lake CPU with 8GB to 64GB DDR4, a 256GB M.2 SSD, dual 4K displays, and 7x USB ports.

Purism has launched a self-hosted crowd-funding campaign for a mini-PC that runs its Debian-based privacy and security reinforced PureOS distribution. The 8th Gen Whiskey Lake powered Librem Mini follows other Purism products that run PureOS including its 7th Gen Skylake based Librem 13 and Librem 15 laptops and NXP i.MX8M driven Librem 5 smartphone. Librem also sells its software stack for Android and iOS phones in a Librem One mobile app and subscription service.