Mini PC specs recommendations?

bigCatAstro · Sep 8, 2025, 06:45 PM

Tareq Abdulla · Sep 8, 2025 at 06:02 PM

Hi,

I ordered another mini-PC but this time it is from MeLe models, and i want to know how much RAM and drive storage you really need if you use it into astrophotography.

I think i will be using it for anything, be it DSO or planetary or solar, for DSO i know what storage is enough, but for planetary or solar for one session before i transfer the files if i remember to transfer, how much i should get?

And for RAM, is 16GB really more than enough if i won’t use it for any processing? Is there any program during acquisition that will require maybe more than 16GB or even up to 16GB? I already bought a 32GB version, but if i buy again next time i might just go with 16GB or even 8GB if it is not demanding.

For my set-up, I’ve been using a MeLE 3Q with the N5105 processor, 8gb RAM, and 256gb SSD. It has been reliable and has worked effectively for me using NINA. I don’t store subs on the MeLE, those are being stored on a 256gb SSD flash drive and then Remote Copied to my processing computer. The RAW image files never approach the capacity of the SSD flash drive when I elect to not use remote copy.

Although it has worked very well for me, I think the16gb RAM version would have been a better option.

Since I don’t do planetary imaging, can’t say whether or not this set-up would be ideal for your needs.

I used my first mini PC which is from Beelink for astro for short time, it was good enough, but i can really tell that when i used it for solar it was like i get it almost half empty for one session that isn’t even long enough, i was using 512GB drive and i can fill this easily if i might do full night of planetary or two, and transferring that much data will take time if i am not using fast connection.

Anyway, in fact what i want to say is that i can afford an SSD with 256GB or 512GB or 1TB or even 2TB, not a big deal, but just i don’t want to go that too much spending for no point, i mean if i won’t fill that 1Tb or 2TB at all because i will keep transferring then it is no point to get them, and i don’t know what future proof it can make, i just want to see people approaches, some will say they never exceed 256Gb and some others will say that even 2Tb isn’t enough.

bigCatAstro · Sep 8, 2025, 08:24 PM

Tareq Abdulla · Sep 8, 2025 at 07:42 PM

bigCatAstro · Sep 8, 2025, 06:45 PM

Tareq Abdulla · Sep 8, 2025 at 06:02 PM

Hi,

I ordered another mini-PC but this time it is from MeLe models, and i want to know how much RAM and drive storage you really need if you use it into astrophotography.

I think i will be using it for anything, be it DSO or planetary or solar, for DSO i know what storage is enough, but for planetary or solar for one session before i transfer the files if i remember to transfer, how much i should get?

And for RAM, is 16GB really more than enough if i won’t use it for any processing? Is there any program during acquisition that will require maybe more than 16GB or even up to 16GB? I already bought a 32GB version, but if i buy again next time i might just go with 16GB or even 8GB if it is not demanding.

For my set-up, I’ve been using a MeLE 3Q with the N5105 processor, 8gb RAM, and 256gb SSD. It has been reliable and has worked effectively for me using NINA. I don’t store subs on the MeLE, those are being stored on a 256gb SSD flash drive and then Remote Copied to my processing computer. The RAW image files never approach the capacity of the SSD flash drive when I elect to not use remote copy.

Although it has worked very well for me, I think the16gb RAM version would have been a better option.

Since I don’t do planetary imaging, can’t say whether or not this set-up would be ideal for your needs.

I used my first mini PC which is from Beelink for astro for short time, it was good enough, but i can really tell that when i used it for solar it was like i get it almost half empty for one session that isn’t even long enough, i was using 512GB drive and i can fill this easily if i might do full night of planetary or two, and transferring that much data will take time if i am not using fast connection.

Anyway, in fact what i want to say is that i can afford an SSD with 256GB or 512GB or 1TB or even 2TB, not a big deal, but just i don’t want to go that too much spending for no point, i mean if i won’t fill that 1Tb or 2TB at all because i will keep transferring then it is no point to get them, and i don’t know what future proof it can make, i just want to see people approaches, some will say they never exceed 256Gb and some others will say that even 2Tb isn’t enough.

Ah, I see. Sounds like you are more of a Planetary and Solar imager. I think you’re on the right track in terms of going with larger capacity SSD.

Maybe get a 2Tb SSD for your overall needs since you’re lucky imaging? You’ll probably have enough headroom for your storage.

I do planetary more and since like 2 years ago i added solar because DSO is a big complicated and a headache, i am still collecting so many gear for DSO and i am not in rush, most likely i will buy another MeLe for DSO only, but that is why i asked here to see if any Solar System imagers using mini PCs with whatever specs they went with, 2TB is a big safe choice but not most important or a must, 1TB i am at the edge of filling that if i do big activity of imaging in short time, less than 1TB and i will always be at mercy of full drive space and either i need to empty it by sacrifice data or just stop imaging, so for me 1TB is the minimum choice, but will 2TB be too much or just a backup extra storage when needed.