We consider 2 types of minimal Poincare 4-complexes. One is defined with respect to the degree 1-map order. This idea was already present in our previous papers, and more systematically studied later by Hillman. The second type of minimal Poincare 4-complexes was introduced by Hambleton, Kreck, and Teichner. It is not based on an order relation. In the present paper we study existence and uniqueness questions.