Edge Mini: The Littlest Computer that Could

Velocity Micro dared to ask the question, "How small can we make a fully operational and powerful desktop PC?" The result is the Edge Mini. Small enough to fit inside the pocket of your jacket, the Edge Mini is a square that is 4 inches on each side, and 1.6 inches thick. Velocity Micro is billing the Edge Mini as, "The world's smallest desktop."

The biggest appeal to the smallest desktop is that it runs a full-blown Windows 7/8 operating system, and nothing short of a shrink ray can explain how VM was able to fit so much hardware into such a tiny package:

• 2GB of memory (upgradeable to 16GB)
• Intel Core i3 processor with Intel HD 4000 Graphics
• Wireless everything (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• mSATA Drive Options (60-120GB)
• 2 HDMI out ports
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports
• Gigabit LAN

The Edge Mini starts at $599. This price tag might be a bit high considering how much more performance $600 will get you with a full sized desktop, but the price may be worth it for anybody in the market for a full desktop experience on the smallest platform possible. The Edge Mini will also be attractive to users who are looking for a powerful-yet-portable home entertainment device, and businesses that use digital signs and kiosks.

The Edge Mini's two HDMI ports makes it a contender in the home theatre market, offering a much more powerful computing experience than the stripped down Roku 2 XS and Apple TV. The Edge Mini also includes a VESA mounting bracket so that it can be hidden behind a monitor or TV. The smallest/biggest competitor for the Edge Mini is the Apple Mac mini. The Mac mini is more expensive, starting at $784, and a few inches bigger--1.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD).

The Edge Mini has enough power where you could watch an HD video on one monitor while browsing the internet on a second monitor. The SSD-based system provides fast boot up times and multitasking times thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology.

What do you think? Is the Mini small enough to impress you? Share your thought in the comments!