HP ProDesk HP ProDesk 4 G1i Desktop Computer U5 235T 16GB Review

The HP ProDesk 4 Mini G1i is a super-compact business PC with great ports and strong security, but a very small SSD holds it back. It scores a 63.4 overall in our system, with its best mark (85th percentile) for connectivity. Only worth it if the tiny size is your top priority.

The HP ProDesk 4 Mini G1i is a tiny desktop PC built for business. It's packing Intel's new Core Ultra 5 235T with a built-in AI engine (NPU), 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 256GB SSD, all crammed into a one-liter box you can hide behind a monitor.

HP calls this the 'Wolf Pro Security Edition,' which means it's loaded with enterprise-grade security features like a self-healing BIOS. The idea is simple: give you a modern, AI-ready workhorse that takes up almost no space and is tough to hack.

For general office work, this thing is plenty fast. The CPU lands in the 65th percentile in our database, which means it's solidly above average for handling spreadsheets, video calls, and multitasking. The integrated Intel graphics are predictably weak, scoring in the 37th percentile, so don't even think about gaming or serious video editing. The real star is the port selection, which hits the 85th percentile. You get modern HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 outputs, plus a mix of fast USB ports, including a 10Gbps USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode. The 256GB SSD is the clear weak spot, landing in the bottom 18th percentile for storage. It'll fill up fast.

At around $1,200, the value proposition is a bit shaky. You're paying a premium for the mini form factor and the 'Wolf Pro' security suite. The core specs—a mid-tier CPU, 16GB RAM, and a very small SSD—are what you'd find in a $700-$800 traditional desktop. So, you're spending an extra $400+ for the tiny size and the business-grade security. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on how much you value a clean desk and ironclad IT protection.

This isn't competing with the gaming desktops like the OMEN 45L or Alienware Aurora it's listed near. That's a weird algorithm quirk. Its real rivals are other business mini PCs, like Lenovo's Tiny series or Dell's OptiPlex Micro. Compared to those, the ProDesk 4 G1i has a newer CPU with the AI NPU and slightly better ports. However, you can often find similarly configured models from Lenovo or Dell for less money, especially if you don't need the absolute latest I/O. If you need any graphics power at all, you'd have to step up to a model with a discrete GPU, which this chassis simply can't fit.

Gamers, creators, and anyone who needs graphical power should look elsewhere immediately—the integrated GPU is a hard stop. Also, skip this if you need more than 256GB of built-in storage and don't want to rely on external drives or network storage on day one. Finally, budget-conscious buyers can find more raw power for the money in a standard-sized desktop.

Buy this if you're an IT manager outfitting a sleek, modern office where desk space is gold and security is non-negotiable. It's also a good fit for a home office user who wants a dead-simple, cable-free setup and values the included peripherals. The AI NPU is a bit of future-proofing for Windows 11's Copilot features, but right now, it's more of a checkbox than a game-changer.