In a reported test, a fanless MINIX NEO Z100-0dB drew 14.7–17.9 watts at the wall while playing YouTube. Running at that measured range for a 30-day month would use 10.584–12.888 kWh. At an illustrative electricity rate of $0.12 per kWh, that works out to about $1.27–$1.55 in usage charges. Your cost depends on your own tariff and the power draw of your complete setup.
This estimate is for a mini PC locally playing YouTube. It is not automatically the cost of keeping a YouTube channel live by broadcasting prerecorded videos.
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Calculate the monthly electricity cost
Use the computer’s average power draw at the wall while it performs the intended task—not its CPU’s TDP or the maximum output printed on its power adapter.
- Calculate energy: average wall power in watts × hours running ÷ 1,000 = kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Calculate usage cost: energy in kWh × your applicable electricity price per kWh = variable usage cost.
A 30-day month of nonstop operation is 720 hours. Using the 14.7–17.9 W range measured in the cited MINIX tests:
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- Latest Celeron N150 Processor - The MeLE Mini PC equipped with the powerful latest N150 processor. Featuring 4 cores and 4 threads, with speeds of up to 3.6GHz, this micro PC delivers a 40% performance boost compared to its predecessors, the Celeron N5095 and N5105. With a low TDP of just 8W, it achieves robust performance at an exceptionally low power consumption. It pre-installed the Windows 11 Pro system, also support Linux, Ubuntu, you can choose what you need.
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- 14.7 W × 720 ÷ 1,000 = 10.584 kWh.
- 17.9 W × 720 ÷ 1,000 = 12.888 kWh.
At $0.12/kWh, those figures produce approximately $1.27–$1.55 for the month. That rate is an example for illustrating the arithmetic, not a current or universal electricity price. Check your bill or supplier’s tariff for the rate that applies to you.
If your electricity price changes by time of day
For a time-of-use plan, split the monthly hours and energy across the relevant rate periods, then calculate each period’s cost separately and add them. Fixed account charges are not caused by this mini PC; leave them out when calculating its marginal usage cost unless you are deliberately apportioning the whole electricity bill.
Rank #2
- Processor of the Mini Desktop Computer: 4 cores i7 CPU, 8 MB Cache, Base Frequency 1.8GHz, Max Turbo Frequency 4.6GHz, 14 nm Lithography.
- RAM & Drive of The Mini Desktop Computer: 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD(Solid State Disk).
- Graphics of the Mini Computer: UHD Graphics 620, 4096x2304, 4K High Definition streaming capability and dual Monitor Support via HD&VGA Ports.
- Features of the Industrial PC: Fanless, all metal case, 2x COM RS232
- What's in Box: 1 x Mini PC, 1 x Power Supply, 1 x Power Cable, 1 x HD Cable, 2 x Antennas, 2 x Sata wires, Screws
What the measured power range represents
CNX Software reported 14.7–17.9 W at the wall for YouTube playback on a fanless MINIX NEO Z100-0dB, an Intel N100 mini PC. These are results from tests of one model and setup, not an average for fanless mini PCs as a category.
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| Test report | YouTube playback test | Reported playback draw | Reported idle draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNX Software Windows 11 test, February 25, 2024 | Chrome, 8K60 | 14.7–17.9 W | 8.9–9.2 W |
| CNX Software Ubuntu 22.04 test, March 9, 2024 | Firefox, 8Kp60 | 14.7–17.9 W | 7.5–7.6 W |
The Windows test setup included Wi-Fi 6, an RF dongle for a keyboard and mouse, and a VGA display connected through an HDMI-to-VGA adapter. The Ubuntu setup included Wi-Fi 6, two USB RF dongles, and a VGA monitor connected through an HDMI adapter. The reports identify those connected items, but do not establish that every separately powered peripheral is included in the PC’s wall reading.
Rank #3
- 【7x24 Reliable N100 Performance for Business】– This mele mini pc runs N100 quad-core processor (up to 3.4GHz) with 8GB LPDDR5 memory and 128GB eMMC – delivering sustained performance for industrial automation, IoT gateways, and 24/7 digital signage. Pre-installed windows 11 Pro, also supports Linux and Ubuntu. Built for IT managers who need always-on systems.
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- 【Rich I/O for Seamless Connectivity】 – This mini pc stick built-in male HDMI 2.0 plugs straight into your monitor or TV, no cable needed, while full-function USB-C (DP1.4) drives a second 4K@60Hz display. Also includes 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2, PD3.0 power delivery, Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band WiFi 5, and BT 5.1, widely compatible with monitors, TVs, and projectors. Ideal for video conferencing, meeting, digital signage.
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- 【Smart Commercial Features】 – The fanless pc stick comes with Kensington Lock Slot, Wake-on-LAN, PXE Boot, RTC Wake, and Auto Power On, which automatically restarts the system after power outages—critical for digital signage, billboards, and kiosks at remote or unattended sites where manual rebooting is impossible. Ideal for office productivity and IoT deployments where reliability meets value.
The Ubuntu report also found that 8Kp60 playback was not watchable in that test because of many dropped frames. The 8K test resolution is part of the test conditions, not a recommendation to use 8K for a nonstop stream. The matching power range in these two reports does not show that operating system, browser, resolution, frame rate, or peripherals never affect power use on other systems.
The example model is identified in CNX Software’s MINIX NEO Z100-0dB review. The review’s reported availability does not establish current stock, configuration, or price.
Rank #4
- Efficient Performance：NEO Z300-0dB Powered by the Intel Alder Lake-N N300 octa-core processor and Intel UHD Graphics, Pre-installed Windows 11 Pro, this N300 mini PC ensures fast and smooth handling of daily office tasks and web browsing, as a compact mini desktop computer
- Silent Fanless Design：With a fanless mini PC passive cooling system, this micro mini computer is perfect for quiet environments. The top cover may become warm, please keep it out of children's reach. Ideal for those seeking a silent mini PC.
- Reliable 24/7 Operation：Engineered for continuous 24/7 operation, this mini PC Windows 11 Pro device maintains top performance under heavy loads, ensuring consistent and reliable computing without any performance drops.
- Durable Anti-Static Protection：The anti-static design of this small PC safeguards the system against electromagnetic interference, prolonging the hardware's life and ensuring stable and long-lasting performance in your mini computers.
- Effective Multitasking：The multi-core architecture of this mini desktop computer supports efficient multitasking, enabling smooth operation of various applications, whether for office work, web browsing, or media tasks.
Measure your own mini PC and setup
- Put a plug-in wall electricity meter between the outlet and the mini PC’s power adapter.
- Run the intended YouTube playback workload long enough to capture a representative average, rather than relying on a brief peak or idle reading.
- Decide what you want to cost. For PC-only use, measure the PC’s load; for the whole setup, include equipment that draws power separately, such as a monitor or network equipment.
- Use the measured average watts in the calculation above, then apply your own tariff. If rates vary through the day, apportion the hours and energy by rate period.
A wall meter measures the power taken by the connected load. Be clear about which devices are plugged into it: a separately powered monitor or router may not be captured by a reading taken only at the mini PC’s adapter.
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Local YouTube playback is different from keeping a channel live
A mini PC playing a YouTube video locally consumes electricity to power that computer and its connected equipment. A YouTube channel that continuously broadcasts prerecorded videos is a separate setup: the videos must be sent to YouTube as a live stream. The playback measurements above do not establish the power cost of that broadcast workflow.
Best Value
- Unbeatable Fanless Performance for Demanding Tasks --MeLE Quieter 4C fanless mini pc is powered by faster N150 processor (up to 3.6GHz), 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB L3 Smart Cache with TDP 8W. N150 mini pc delivers more than 35% higher performance than N5105/N5095 CPU, with lower power consumption, and it can support 7/24 stable performance. Ideal for business, industrial, office, education and entertainment.
- The Secret to a Perfectly Clean & Silent Workspace -- Zero noise. Zero clutter. This N150 mini pc delivers 0dB noise for absolute silence and enhanced reliability. It’s the perfect companion for students, researchers, or remote workers who need to focus in quiet spaces like libraries or home studies. With its incredibly compact size (5.2”x3.2”x0.7”,0.44lb), it fits anywhere. Use the included VESA mount to hide it behind your monitor or TV, instantly decluttering your desk or living room.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If you mean a continuous YouTube live channel made from uploaded videos, StreamNeo runs the playback from the cloud rather than requiring your mini PC to stay on at home. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the uploaded videos and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- Every slot supports the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- The first day is free with no card required; it is one free day per account.
- Monthly billing is available at $9.99 per month.
StreamNeo is for streaming uploaded videos to YouTube; it does not broadcast a camera feed. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
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 at the time of purchase will apply.
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