HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini (Renewed): The best value refurbished mini PC of 2026?

The HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini (Renewed) is a 9th generation business mini PC that, when refurbished, offers unbeatable value for office work, home servers, and media centers.

Pros:

• More than enough performance for office tasks, multitasking and browsing (PCMark 10 Work: 4,560 points, "office-class" category)

• Robust construction typical of HP EliteDesk, quiet and compact

• Ample room for expansion (RAM, secondary SSD, 2.5" SATA slot)

• Unlocked BIOS, ideal for enthusiasts and home labs

Contras:

• The internal configuration (Wi-Fi, RAM in 1 or 2 modules, VGA port vs DisplayPort) varies between units , even within the same listing

• Not suitable for demanding gaming or heavy graphics tasks (integrated UHD 630 graphics)

• Some units have arrived with Wi-Fi advertised but not included.

Conclusion: If you're looking for a reliable mini PC for work, streaming, a home server, or as a secondary computer, the refurbished EliteDesk 800 G5 is a smart buy, provided you verify the exact configuration before purchasing.

🟠 See Price on Amazon: 🛒 HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini PC (195$)

📦 Unboxing and Box Contents

Refurbished units typically arrive in a plain box with sturdy bubble wrap. According to verified buyer reviews, the usual contents include:

• Mini PC HP EliteDesk 800 G5

• External power supply (adapter)

• Basic keyboard and mouse (functional quality, not premium)

• USB Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter (for units without an internal card)

• VGA cable or DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, depending on the configuration

⚠️ Important: Some buyers did not receive the vertical motherboard support, the internal Wi-Fi card, or the 2.5" drive bracket, so it is recommended to confirm these extras with the seller before purchasing.

🛠️ Technical Specifications Table

🎨 Design and Construction Quality

The metal chassis of the EliteDesk 800 G5 conveys the typical solidity of HP's business range: no flexing, with a fingerprint-resistant matte finish and a really small size (it fits behind a monitor with the optional VESA mount).

In the best quality refurbished units, buyers highlight that they arrive "without fingerprints, dust or dents", with clean fans and thermal paste in good condition; in other specific cases, cases with minor dents have been reported, something normal given the "second life" origin of the product.

🖥️ Screen and Multimedia

It supports 4K (3840x2160) output via DisplayPort, with up to three simultaneous video outputs in versions with dual DisplayPort + flexible port.

Audio is handled via integrated microphone and HDMI/DisplayPort output; it does not include its own speakers, so you will need an external monitor or speakers with audio input.

🚀 Performance and Software

In Geekbench 6 tests, the i5-9500T in this unit scores approximately 1,310 points in single-core and 4,767 in multi-core , figures consistent with the aggregated results from the Geekbench database (single-core ~1,250, multi-core ~4,243). In PassMark, the processor scores around 8,089-8,097 points in multi-threaded tests .

In real-world use, independent tests report a Windows 11 boot time of around 7 seconds from the SSD (PCMark 10 Storage: 2,350 points) and a PCMark 10 Work 2.0 score of 4,560 points, firmly placing it in the "office" category. It's smooth for multi-tab browsing, office applications, video calls, and multimedia streaming; it's not designed for heavy video editing or 3D rendering.

Software: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed.

⚠️ One buyer detected malware pre-installed on their unit's factory system, so we strongly recommend formatting and installing Windows from scratch upon receiving the device, especially on third-party refurbished units.

🔋 Energy Consumption and Cables

Thanks to the "T" suffix of the processor (low power variant, TDP of 35W), the EliteDesk 800 G5 is especially efficient: its performance/watt ratio in PassMark is around 231 points per watt.

Includes a compact "brick" type external power supply with a 3-pin power cord (Type B, North American standard in the imported model; check if you need an adapter for European type C/F plugs).

🌡️ Temperature and Noise (Actual Thermal)

Thanks to its low TDP (35W) and air cooling system with a single low-speed fan, the EliteDesk 800 G5 remains quiet under office workloads and light multitasking. On well-refurbished units with renewed thermal paste, temperatures under sustained load remain within safe ranges without noticeable throttling.

If your unit has several years of previous use, it is advisable to re-paste the CPU as preventative maintenance, just as some experienced buyers do when receiving the equipment.

🔌 Connectivity and Extras

• USB: 6x USB-A + 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 — enough for peripherals, external drives and hubs

• Video: Up to 3 simultaneous outputs (2x DisplayPort 1.2 + 1x DisplayPort 1.4, or VGA on the flexible port depending on the unit)

• Wi-Fi 6: Measured throughput of up to 1.2 Gbps in office tests with compatible AP.

• Bluetooth 5.0

• It does not include NFC, a fingerprint reader, or IP certification (it's a desktop computer, not designed for those extras).

🔧 Expansion and Upgrades

This is one of the strengths of the EliteDesk 800 G5 compared to more modern and compact mini PCs:

• RAM: Although the specifications indicate a maximum of 16 GB in the configuration sold, the motherboard supports expansion with a second SODIMM DDR4 module (some units come with only one 16 GB module, leaving one slot free)

• Primary SSD: The 256GB NVMe drive is replaceable with higher capacity drives (standard M.2 NVMe)

• Second drive: There is an additional free M.2 slot on many units, plus a 2.5" SATA bracket for adding a secondary SSD/HDD

• Wi-Fi: If your unit doesn't have it integrated, you can install a compatible M.2 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card with an antenna, as the chassis has the physical slot.

In short: it's one of the most "user-friendly" refurbished mini PCs for those who want to tinker with the hardware and customize the equipment over time.

🆚 Comparison with Direct Competitors

The EliteDesk 800 G5 is positioned as the most modern of the three (9th gen vs. 8th and 6th gen), with better multi-core performance and native Wi-Fi 6 support, while the Dell OptiPlex is the most economical option but with more limited hardware.

💬 Amazon Reviews (Analysis of Real Reviews)

We have reviewed in detail the verified buyer ratings on Amazon, and the pattern is consistent:

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "All components are of good quality and it is practically flawless" — highlights the physical condition, the original Wi-Fi card with a well-connected antenna and the Samsung SSD, although the RAM was not original HP brand.

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Works well" — used as a home server, "fast and cool", with keyboard and mouse included as a positive surprise.

• ⭐ "Excellent product, but be careful what you buy!" — Windows Defender detected dozens of viruses on the pre-installed system; recommends formatting before use.

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "They were exactly as advertised" — buyer of 3 units for home lab, all clean, BIOS unlocked, but different internal configurations between units (WiFi, RAM, VGA/DisplayPort).

• ⭐⭐⭐ "WiFi missing despite being advertised as integrated" — a recurring pattern in several reviews: the internal Wi-Fi connectivity does not always match the listing description.

Our conclusion regarding the reviews: the physical quality and performance of the device consistently receive good marks, but the variability of the internal configuration (especially the Wi-Fi) is the main source of dissatisfaction. If built-in Wi-Fi is essential for you, contact the seller before purchasing to confirm its availability.

📊 Technical Tests (Benchmarks)

These numbers confirm that the EliteDesk 800 G5 handles office tasks, intensive browsing, and light multitasking with ease, while maintaining very low energy consumption thanks to its low TDP processor.

🎮 Gaming and Emulation

With integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics, this isn't a machine designed for gaming, but it can surprise you with lighter titles:

• Valorant: playable, averaging ~166 FPS on low settings.

• League of Legends: inconsistent performance, with noticeable drops in demanding scenes.

• Roblox: limited performance (~15 FPS average), not recommended.

• Retro emulation (SNES, PS1, N64): works well thanks to CPU power, although without dedicated graphics acceleration the more demanding emulators (PS2, GameCube) may show limitations.

For AAA gaming or emulation of sixth generation consoles and beyond, we recommend mini PCs with dedicated graphics or more modern APUs (Ryzen with integrated Radeon).

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Renewed come with genuine Windows 11?
Yes, although some product listings on Amazon still mistakenly mention "Windows 10" in a line of the description, both the title and the operating system field confirm Windows 11 Pro, and recent buyer reviews corroborate this.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished mini PC with Windows pre-installed?
Generally, yes, but we recommend formatting the hard drive and performing a clean Windows reinstallation upon receipt, as there have been isolated reports of malware on the factory-installed system.

Can I upgrade the RAM beyond 16GB?
It depends on your specific motherboard; many units come with a free SODIMM slot, so in practice the actual limit may be higher than the 16GB listed on the product page. Check your exact motherboard model before purchasing additional RAM modules.

Is it good for working from home and video calls?
Yes, it's one of its best applications: it handles Office, multi-tab browsing, and video conferencing without a problem.

Can I use it as a home server or NAS?
Yes, several buyers use it for exactly that (Proxmox, Linux, home servers), taking advantage of its low power consumption and storage expansion slots.

🏁 Final Conclusion

The HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini (Renewed) is a highly recommended purchase if you're looking for a compact, quiet, and reliable computer for office work, remote work, multimedia streaming, or as a home server. Its i5-9500T processor offers more than enough performance for everyday tasks, and its extensive expandability makes it attractive to both home users and home lab enthusiasts.

It's not the ideal choice if you're looking for serious gaming or demanding graphics tasks, and you should keep in mind that the exact configuration (integrated Wi-Fi, number of RAM modules, type of expansion port) can vary between units on the same list. As alternatives within the same range, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q is a very similar option in terms of performance, while the Dell OptiPlex 7050 Micro is more economical if you're on a tight budget.

🛒 Where to buy it?

• 🟠 See Price on Amazon: 🛒 HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini PC