I've been scoping out the best Ryzen 7 mini PC deals under $500 across Amazon, Newegg, and direct from manufacturers today, and have found 7 models, from fully specced to barebones machines, which are worth your attention.

For most people, the Acemagic Kron Mini K1 for $429 (was $499) at Amazon is the ideal compact desktop PC upgrade. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, paired with 24GB LPDDR5 memory, and 512GB SSD. As far as all-rounders go that you can set-up and run, this is my top pick.

If you're prepared to upgrade your own machine, though, the barebones GMKtec K8 Plus for $300 (was $620) via GMKtec, is pretty unbeatable thanks to the equipped Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU. In this round-up, I've avoided anything less than 16GB RAM and older generation chips like the R7 5825U that might look like a good deal at first, but won't deliver value over the long-term.

More mini PC deals

• Amazon: Mini PC deals from Bosgame, Kamrui, and more
• GMKtec: Big savings in GMKtec's 7th anniversary sale
• Newegg: Massive range of barebones and specced-out computers

For more top-performers, we've tested and reviewed the best mini PCs you can get.

Steve is B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware at TechRadar Pro, helping business professionals equip their workspace with the right tools. He tests and reviews the software, hardware, and office furniture that modern workspaces depend on, cutting through the hype to zero in on the real-world performance you won't find on a spec sheet. He is a relentless champion of the Oxford comma.