HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini i5-6500T 16GB 256GB SSD Win10 Pro Review: Pros, Cons & Rumors Debunked

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini Desktop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-6500T, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Keyboard&Mouse, VGA, DP, Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)

Boost productivity with the HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini featuring a quad-core Intel i5, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD and Windows 10 Pro for lightning-fast performance.
Enjoy crisp 4K dual-display support via VGA and DisplayPort, plus free 30-day Microsoft Office trial. Compact and renewed, the EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini keeps your workspace sleek.

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini offers a powerful, compact desktop solution ideal for home offices, media centers, and light server tasks.
Overall user feedback is positive on performance and reliability, but refurbishment quality control varies significantly between units.
Key complaints center on missing or cheap components: inconsistent SSD brands, lack of built-in Wi-Fi, and defective power supplies.
No widespread rumors of hazardous defects, but isolated reports suggest some units have disabled upgradeability (damaged M.2 sockets).
Recommended for budget-minded buyers ready to perform minor upgrades; those seeking plug-and-play perfection may face occasional hassles.

Table of contents

Product Overview
HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini: Honest Findings
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Who Should Consider the HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini?
Conclusion: Final Verdict

Product Overview

Highlights the mini desktop’s core specifications and renewed condition.
Explains bundled accessories and intended use cases.

The HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini is a renewed compact desktop featuring an Intel Core i5-6500T 2.70 GHz processor, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. This tiny powerhouse ships with Windows 10 Pro preinstalled, along with a USB keyboard, mouse, and a 30-day trial of Microsoft Office. It supports dual 4K displays via VGA, DisplayPort (DP), and an optional DP module, making it suitable for multitasking or digital signage. Thanks to its small form factor (roughly the size of a hardcover book) and low power draw (about 35 W under light load), the EliteDesk Mini is marketed as a space-saving, energy-efficient solution for offices, labs, and media centers.

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini: Honest Findings

Delivers reliable performance for office tasks, home labs, and media streaming.
Refurbishment inconsistencies can affect out-of-box experience.

In practice, most users find the EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini offers dependable performance for everyday productivity applications, web browsing, and even light virtualization. Several reviewers noted they could host Docker containers, run Proxmox, and handle small server workloads without hiccups. The 6th-generation Intel HD 530 integrated graphics won’t drive modern gaming, but it easily powers multiple displays for spreadsheets, video playback, or coding environments. However, the “renewed” classification means quality control varies: some units arrive with mismatched components, dusty internals, or accessory omissions. Prospective buyers should expect to install drivers, swap out poorly performing parts, or source missing cables.

Positive Feedback & Highlights

Users praise the mini PC for its compact design, quiet operation, and solid productivity performance.
Enthusiasts value upgrade paths—RAM to 32 GB and NVMe drives—for extended longevity.

Across dozens of positive reviews, recurring themes include the EliteDesk Mini’s compact form factor, low noise levels, and immediate readiness. Many customers reported plug-and-play success with Windows 10 Pro, while others wiped the OS to install Linux Mint or Ubuntu for headless servers. The 16 GB DDR4 RAM proved ample, and several reviewers quickly upgraded to 32 GB for demanding applications like Ableton Live, virtualization, or hosting multiple services (e.g., Discord bots, Pterodactyl panels). Media center enthusiasts noted seamless 4K video streaming, making it a perfect living-room “set-and-forget” machine. Additionally, the lack of OEM bloatware—no trial antivirus or unwanted utilities—earned praise for offering a clean user experience.

Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis

Frequent complaints about missing Wi-Fi adapters, poor-quality SSDs, and erratic power supplies.
No major safety rumors, but isolated reports mention disabled M.2 slots and questionable refurb processes.

Despite strong performance reports, a significant minority of customers encountered frustration with the refurb quality. One reviewer ordered three units and found 1 of 3 power adapters completely defective, requiring cross-testing with another HP supply. The included SSDs ranged from unknown “King Fast” 2.5″ drives (notably slow and inconsistent) to genuine NVMe disks—sometimes without proper mounting screws. The lack of a built-in Wi-Fi card forced users to rely on included USB dongles, which often needed manual driver installations or third-party replacements to prevent random disconnects. Others lamented the absence of an HDMI port, receiving DP-to-VGA adapters instead of the more desirable DP-to-HDMI cables. Packaging inconsistencies manifested in random vinyl wraps, large serial-number stickers atop the chassis, and scratched cases.

Rumor mills whispered about units arriving with physically damaged M.2 slots, allegedly to prevent customers from installing high-speed NVMe drives—one buyer discovered a torn socket rendering upgrade impossible. While such claims are rare, they highlight the unpredictable nature of third-party refurbishments. On the positive side, no reports surfaced of overheating hazards or electrical safety issues beyond the occasional bad adapter. Yet, buyers seeking a flawless, ready-to-run experience should be prepared for minor tech-support adventures.

Who Should Consider the HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini?

Ideal for budget-conscious users needing a space-saving desktop for office work, media streaming, or lightweight server duties.
Not recommended for high-end gaming, 3D rendering, or users unwilling to troubleshoot minor hardware inconsistencies.

If you require a compact, affordable PC that can handle email, document editing, web conferencing, and basic multimedia tasks, the EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini is a compelling choice. Tech hobbyists appreciate its room for DDR4 upgrades (up to 32 GB) and NVMe drives, enabling a cost-effective performance boost. Home labs benefit from its low power consumption and multiple USB ports, while living-room setups love the silent operation. However, casual gamers seeking high-frame-rate titles or graphics professionals needing CUDA-style acceleration will find it underpowered. And if you dread opening a case to install screws or hunt for drivers, you may prefer a factory-sealed new model with manufacturer warranty.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

An excellent value renewed mini PC that delivers solid everyday performance at a budget price.
Buyers should perform due diligence, anticipate minor refurb issues, and factor in potential upgrade costs.

Overall, the HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini Desktop is a standout in the renewed market segment, offering robust cores, ample memory, and SSD-speed responsiveness in a space-saving chassis. Positive reviews underscore its quiet reliability and versatility for both Windows and Linux deployments. Yet negative feedback reminds us that refurb units can arrive with patchy accessories, mixed SSD quality, and absent Wi-Fi hardware. No serious safety or longevity rumors plague the product, but a handful of customers uncovered poorly executed refurbishments like damaged M.2 slots or faulty power supplies. If you’re comfortable swapping out the occasional component and sourcing cables—transforming a bargain box into your personal mini powerhouse—you’ll likely be delighted. For those demanding perfect turnkey operation, consider a new retail model or factor in a small budget for post-purchase upgrades and quality checks.