Small and adorably deceptive desktop, The Framework, wields impressive AI computing power, earning it the title of top-tier mini AI PC.
When it comes to mini PCs, there's a wide variety of options available for different needs. Whether you're a gamer, an AI professional, or someone who values customization, there's a mini PC out there that suits your requirements.
For pure gaming performance, there's the all-aluminum machine with the Radeon 890M, which offers impressive gaming capabilities, although it comes at a premium price. However, if you're looking for the best overall mini PC, the AtomMan G7 PT takes the crown with its discrete RX 7600M XT and an eight-core, 16-thread Zen 4 chip.
When it comes to top mini PCs for local AI processing, several models stand out due to their integration of AI accelerators and powerful processors. The ASUS NUC 15 Pro is highlighted for its AI integration, making it suitable for tasks like video conferencing and large language model (LLM) processing. The Minisforum EliteMini AI370, equipped with a Ryzen AI 9 processor, is well-suited for running AI workloads locally and also handles gaming tasks effectively.
The GEEKOM A9 Max AI Mini PC features AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and an XDNA 2-based Neural Processing Unit (NPU), offering up to 80 TOPS of AI acceleration. This makes it ideal for running AI models locally without relying on cloud services. The GEEKOM IT15 AI Mini PC, while not as focused on AI as the A9 Max, still offers some AI acceleration capabilities with Intel's Core Ultra 9 285H and Arc 140T GPU.
The Framework Desktop, despite lacking in gaming performance, excels in local AI processing, boasting 128 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM. In a review by Dave, the desktop was tested with Alibaba's 235B parameter AI model, which hogged almost all of the desktop's 128 GB of RAM. Despite this, the desktop barely broke a sweat and continued to run smoothly.
For those on a budget, a cost-effective option is to purchase the barebones unit of the best mini PC and source your own RAM and storage.
The Retro Mini AM02 is a visually appealing mini PC with a design reminiscent of the NES, and offers a high level of performance customization. The Geekom AX8 Pro is a compact mini PC with impressive iGPU-based gaming performance.
Lastly, the Framework Desktop, while pitched as "a DIY gaming rig without the pain," is better suited as a workstation geared towards local AI processing. It costs over $2,000 and, while its integrated graphics are still pretty snazzy, are not powerful enough to compete with Nvidia's RTX 4060 GPU.
Jess Kinghorn, a seasoned games journalist with over ten years of experience, has written extensively about these mini PCs, with a focus on hardware and print publications PLAY and Official PlayStation Magazine.
In conclusion, whether you're a gamer, an AI professional, or someone who values customization, there's a mini PC out there that suits your needs. From gaming powerhouses to AI workstations, the mini PC market offers a wide variety of options for all types of users.
[1] AI integration: https://www.asus.com/uk/Business/NUC15Pro/ [2] Intel's Core Ultra 9 285H and Arc 140T GPU: https://www.geekom.ai/products/it15-ai-mini-pc [3] Ryzen AI 9 processor: https://www.minisforum.com/product/elitemini-ai370/ [4] AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip: https://www.framework.com/products/desktop [5] XDNA 2-based Neural Processing Unit (NPU): https://www.geekom.ai/products/a9-max-ai-mini-pc
- If you're a fan of retro aesthetics and value performance customization, the Retro Mini AM02, designed like the NES, offers a high level of customization.
- For those interested in local AI processing, the Geekom IT15 AI Mini PC, while not as focused on AI as the A9 Max, still provides some AI acceleration capabilities with Intel's Core Ultra 9 285H and Arc 140T GPU.
- For a DIY approach, consider purchasing the barebones unit of the best mini PC and sourcing your own RAM and storage to save costs. In this case, you have the freedom to customize it according to your specific needs.
