Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The MSI DP21 Mini Desktop goes head-to-head with the Geekom GT1 Mega, Beelink SER9, and Apple M4 Mac Mini in this in-depth performance, efficiency, and expandability showdown. Can a business-class mini desktop compete with today’s most powerful mini PCs? I test CPU performance, GPU capabilities, power efficiency, upgradeability, and more! Plus, we talk about bloatware, MSI’s design choices, and whether this compact PC is the best alternative to a NUC-style mini PC. If you're looking for the best small form factor PC for work, home office, or light gaming, this review has you covered!
Subscribe to Lifting Linux! - youtube.com/@UCn-7h6n5Mff7t9yv5e6Opdw
Products Highlighted (Affiliate Links):
MSI DP21 MQ14 - amzn.to/4iavAH7
Beelink SER9 - amzn.to/4idHkbX
Geekom GT1 Mega - amzn.to/43tUtck
Apple M4 Mac Mini - amzn.to/4hcjz2B
Timecodes:
00:00 - Opener
01:12 - Intro/Aganda
02:58 - Specs & Features
06:11 - Bloatware :(
09:35 - Performance Testing
12:10 - Power Efficiency & Noise
13:47 - Expandability?
15:21 - Overall Value
Find me on Social Media
Patreon: patreon.com/elevatedsystems
X: https://x.com/elevatedsystem1
My Studio Equipment (Paid Links)
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro - amzn.to/3tA6ScP
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 - amzn.to/2VjqKSR
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ300 - amzn.to/2WJnxw6
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens - amzn.to/3quDgM0
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens -amzn.to/3uv13Of
Panasonic LUMIX G Lens, 25mm, F1.7 - amzn.to/3A9f9Vi
Magnus REX VT-5000 2-Stage Tripod - amzn.to/3GxsGJH
Neewer 72.4-Inch Camera Tripod - amzn.to/3fsRuqU
SMALLRIG Parabolic Softbox - amzn.to/3Hyvbxt
SmallRig RC 120D COB Light - amzn.to/3S9Grp4
Kshioe Softbox Lighting Kit - amzn.to/3A5vZEq
Neewer Camera Slider Motorized - amzn.to/3ltX54e
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic - amzn.to/3fziRPv
SAMSON Q2U Dynamic Microphone - amzn.to/3ikExBe
Sennheiser XS Wireless Lavalier System - amzn.to/3ilSIpA
PreSonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitor - amzn.to/3CcVx4d
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB DAC - amzn.to/3ZmyOOO
Gator Frameworks Deluxe Boom Stand - amzn.to/3fs7Os3
Glide Gear TMP100 Teleprompter - amzn.to/3CdgIDy
GLEAM Microphone Stand - amzn.to/3A4dth5
Davinci Resolve 17 & Speed Editor - amzn.to/3fsECRG
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA - amzn.to/3CCH5nV
Apple 2022 Mac Studio - amzn.to/3GXW6mS
LG 40WP95C-W 40” 5K2K Display - amzn.to/3ZtiiN6
INNOCN 15.6" OLED Portable Monitor. - amzn.to/3jEOqgu
BenQ ScreenBar Halo - amzn.to/3XpUZ52
Audio file(s) provided by Epidemic Sound
epidemicsound.com
The MSI DP21 Mini Desktop goes head-to-head with the Geekom GT1 Mega, Beelink SER9, and Apple M4 Mac Mini in this in-depth performance, efficiency, and expandability showdown. Can a business-class mini desktop compete with today’s most powerful mini PCs? I test CPU performance, GPU capabilities, power efficiency, upgradeability, and more! Plus, we talk about bloatware, MSI’s design choices, and whether this compact PC is the best alternative to a NUC-style mini PC. If you're looking for the best small form factor PC for work, home office, or light gaming, this review has you covered!
Subscribe to Lifting Linux! - youtube.com/@UCn-7h6n5Mff7t9yv5e6Opdw
Products Highlighted (Affiliate Links):
MSI DP21 MQ14 - amzn.to/4iavAH7
Beelink SER9 - amzn.to/4idHkbX
Geekom GT1 Mega - amzn.to/43tUtck
Apple M4 Mac Mini - amzn.to/4hcjz2B
Timecodes:
00:00 - Opener
01:12 - Intro/Aganda
02:58 - Specs & Features
06:11 - Bloatware :(
09:35 - Performance Testing
12:10 - Power Efficiency & Noise
13:47 - Expandability?
15:21 - Overall Value
Find me on Social Media
Patreon: patreon.com/elevatedsystems
X: https://x.com/elevatedsystem1
My Studio Equipment (Paid Links)
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro - amzn.to/3tA6ScP
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 - amzn.to/2VjqKSR
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ300 - amzn.to/2WJnxw6
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens - amzn.to/3quDgM0
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens -amzn.to/3uv13Of
Panasonic LUMIX G Lens, 25mm, F1.7 - amzn.to/3A9f9Vi
Magnus REX VT-5000 2-Stage Tripod - amzn.to/3GxsGJH
Neewer 72.4-Inch Camera Tripod - amzn.to/3fsRuqU
SMALLRIG Parabolic Softbox - amzn.to/3Hyvbxt
SmallRig RC 120D COB Light - amzn.to/3S9Grp4
Kshioe Softbox Lighting Kit - amzn.to/3A5vZEq
Neewer Camera Slider Motorized - amzn.to/3ltX54e
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic - amzn.to/3fziRPv
SAMSON Q2U Dynamic Microphone - amzn.to/3ikExBe
Sennheiser XS Wireless Lavalier System - amzn.to/3ilSIpA
PreSonus Eris E3.5 Studio Monitor - amzn.to/3CcVx4d
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB DAC - amzn.to/3ZmyOOO
Gator Frameworks Deluxe Boom Stand - amzn.to/3fs7Os3
Glide Gear TMP100 Teleprompter - amzn.to/3CdgIDy
GLEAM Microphone Stand - amzn.to/3A4dth5
Davinci Resolve 17 & Speed Editor - amzn.to/3fsECRG
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA - amzn.to/3CCH5nV
Apple 2022 Mac Studio - amzn.to/3GXW6mS
LG 40WP95C-W 40” 5K2K Display - amzn.to/3ZtiiN6
INNOCN 15.6" OLED Portable Monitor. - amzn.to/3jEOqgu
BenQ ScreenBar Halo - amzn.to/3XpUZ52
Audio file(s) provided by Epidemic Sound
epidemicsound.com
