Micro Form Factor PCs, (or MFF’s for short), are tiny versions of regular PC’s. They’re designed to fit into the tightest of spaces, great for when you’re working with a super small workspace or if you want a hundred of them neatly stacked up in your home lab!
Now, don’t let the size fool you. They are workhorses! With the right configuration, these little computers can pack in some serious hardware. We’re talking up to Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processors, decent amounts of RAM, and super-fast SSDs for storage.
But forget about stuffing in the latest RTX 4090, these things aren’t designed to be gaming monsters. Think more along the lines of office tasks, multimedia consumption, or light design work, or what I personally use them for, running home labs, for ESXI, Proxmox and Unraid!
One key feature is that they’re generally designed to be quieter and more energy-efficient than your typical desktop, which can be a big win if you’re trying to cut down on energy costs (especially if you live in the UK!) or just want to keep the noise down.
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A little bit about Dell and their Optiplex range
Now let’s take a look at the Dell Optiplex range, these are a popular enterprise grade MFF, which means great reliability with quality components.
Dell, have been around for donkey’s years, since 1984 in fact. That’s ancient in tech terms (and older than me!). And during that time, they’ve managed to build up a solid reputation for producing reliable, robust hardware that just, you know, does what it’s supposed to do. Sounds simple, right? But you’d be surprised at how many companies struggle with that!
When it comes to their OptiPlex line, especially their MFFs, they’re designed for businesses. They’re workhorses – sturdy, reliable, and up to the task.
Why you’d want to buy a second-hand Dell MFF?
First off, these things are built to last. They’re the Nokia 3310s of the computer world. So, even if it’s had a couple of years of use, you can bet it’s got plenty more left in it.
Secondly, remember what I said about these being designed for businesses? Whilst enterprise grade hardware might sound expensive, they’re often leased by businesses, used for a couple of years (3-5 years usually), and then returned while they’re still in great condition. Companies upgrade their tech every few years, not because the old stuff is broken, but because they want the latest and greatest. That’s where you swoop in and grab a bargain with a a huge range of second hand units available with fantastic discounts.
And finally, because these are business machines, they’re often easier to upgrade than consumer PCs. Need more RAM, or a bigger SSD? No problem, pop the hood and get to work.
So, there you have it. Dell’s reliable, robust tech plus the advantages of buying second-hand means you could get yourself a serious bargain.
Dell Optiplex Micro Form Factor (MFF) PC List
Surprisingly, this list was really difficult to compile, after lot’s of hunting around the Dell website and narrowing down my searches on the documentation portal, I think I have a complete list of the Optiplex MFF range.
I don’t fully understand the Optiplex MFF naming convention, but it would appear there are 3 series (plus an anomaly with the 9020m, which I think might actually have been the first Optiplex MFF?) with a 3,000, 5,000 and an 7,000 series available.
| Name | Specification | CPU Upgrade Options | RAM Upgrade Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| OptiPlex 3000 Micro | Link (all 3000 series have the same specification document) | Link | Link |
| OptiPlex 3020M | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3040 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3046 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3050 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3060 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3070 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3080 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 3090 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 5000 Micro | Link (all 5000 series have the same specification document) | Link | Link |
| OptiPlex 5050 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 5060 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 5070 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 5080 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 5090 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7000 Micro | Link (all 7000 series have the same specification document) | Link | Link |
| OptiPlex 7040 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7050 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7060 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7070 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7080 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 7090 Micro | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex 9020M | Link | Link | Link |
| OptiPlex Micro 7010 | Link | Link | |
| OptiPlex Micro Plus 7010 | Link | Link |
Summary
I’m fairly sure this is a complete list, but if I have missed anything could you please let me know in the comments section and I’ll add it in.