Minisforum AI X1 Pro: A Powerful Mini PC Challenging Apple's Mac Mini

This compact Windows PC outdoes my Mac Mini in multiple ways - and it's on sale

When Apple upgraded its Mac Mini with the M4 processor last year, we saw some renewed interest in the mini PC category overall. All the power of a desktop, but packed into a tiny frame? Yes, please. Apple isn't the only one making impressively bite-sized computers, however. Purveyor of minis, Minisforum recently released its AI370 EliteMini, a device we reviewed and praised its 8K monitor support, 4TB of storage, and powerful hardware for under $1,000. Similarly, the G7 Ti Mini had impressive raw power, but I noted its noisy fans. Also: This budget Lenovo PC is the desktop I recommend to most people - even if you're not a gamer Now, the brand's latest Mini PC -- the Minisforum AI X1 Pro -- ups the ante with some serious hardware: AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, an AMD Radeon 890M GPU, up to 96GB of RAM, and 4TB of storage, all in the same size as a Mac Mini and at a competitive starting price of $1,129 (on sale right now starting at $899). As a designated Copilot+ PC (yes, that is a Copilot button on the action front of the device), the aptly named AI X1 Pro is specifically designed to compete with the Mac Mini M4, particularly when it comes to AI features, high-resolution external monitors, and gaming. Also: I replaced my Windows PC with a Mac Studio for a week - here are my takeaways so far The AI X1 Pro does all of these things well, with impressive performance, multitasking across multiple monitors, and solid gaming performance, all while running cool and virtually silent. Let's take a look at what this powerhouse is capable of. The processor here is top-of-the-line for AMD -- it boasts 12 cores and 24 threads with a max clock speed of 5.1GHZ and 80 TOPS for AI-powered tasks. In my benchmarking of the device, it performed very well, on par with the Mac Mini M4 regarding raw output, but like any benchmarking numbers, that's only part of the picture. The AI X1 Pro supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 and has a built-in power supply, making it ready to go out of the box. However, you'll want to hook up at least one high-quality monitor to get the most out of it. In my testing, I connected two monitors -- one of which was 4K -- and its performance was silky-smooth and gorgeous. The device does feature its own audio, but this is one area it doesn't excel at. The built-in speaker on the device is sufficient for basic content -- although I would say my laptop has better audio quality. Similarly, the on-board mic is good enough for quick calls, but I wouldn't count on it over a dedicated webcam or microphone. These things are hardly dealbreakers, however, as AI X1 Pro users will want to connect their own speakers with every other peripheral. Also: 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 - and why you should too It's easy, too, with this many ports. It comes with three USB Type-A ports, two USB4s, a 3.5mm combo jack, HDMI, Kensington Lock, and more. Basically, everything you need to fire up and customize your workstation. It also features an Oculink (PCIe 4.0) slot for high-performance storage and docking stations with a bandwidth of up to 64 GB/s. The Oculink can also connect to an external GPU, allowing users to harness a more powerful graphics system for higher frame rates and 4K gaming. This allows the AI X1 Pro to level up as a gaming machine or dedicated creator's device, improving the integrated GPU's performance. It also supports Rebar, or Resizable Base Address Register, which improves communication between the two. Gaming performance on the AI X1 Pro is quite good, but the system does require some optimization to fully take advantage of all the powerful hardware here. I fired up a handful of titles on Steam and had no issues, but I will say some of the more memory-demanding games required some settings tinkering to feel like a true gaming rig. Also: I found the most portable keyboard and mouse combo for traveling - and the battery life is fantastic I was much more impressed with Minisforum's cooling technology here, as AMD's Ryzen 9 already runs cool, but the device's slightly larger size allows for a bit more in the way of cooling components. The fan kicked on during heavy gaming, but it was quiet enough to go largely unnoticed. The AI X1 Pro really excels at AI-related tasks. During testing, I fired up DeepSeek and OpenAI's Chat GPT, and both performed exceedingly fast. Even longer, more complex queries, like requests for code, were fast and responsive. Minisforum AI X1 Pro is essentially a Mac Mini M4 powered by AMD's powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip. It has some of the fastest AI-powered capabilities I've seen on any device, laptop, desktop, or mini. Like the Mac Mini, it's certainly capable of gaming, but I wouldn't peg this as a gaming-first device. Instead, I'd recommend this device for developers and creatives looking to run powerful AI tasks in applications like Deepseek or OpenAI or users who like to utilize external GPUs to tinker with performance optimization.

Tiny Mac Mini rival can power four 8K monitors, and is the first mini PC to receive AMD's powerful Ryzen 7 260 APU

Minisforum has introduced the AI X1, a compact mini PC powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 260 APU, capable of supporting four 8K displays. The AI X1 features the AMD Ryzen 7 260, an 8-core, 16-thread processor with a maximum clock speed of 5.1GHz, integrated with the Radeon 780M GPU running at 2700MHz, delivering strong performance for gaming and creative workloads. This business computer also boasts a peak AI processing capability of 38 TOPS, making it well-suited for machine learning and AI-driven tasks. The AI X1 supports up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM at 5600MHz, ensuring smooth multitasking even with demanding applications. Storage options include two M.2 NVMe SSD slots, allowing for a total capacity of up to 16TB. The standout feature is its ability to drive four 8K monitors simultaneously through HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and two USB4 ports, supporting data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, making it one of the best workstation options available. The AI X1 features two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, an OCuLink port, a 3.5mm combo jack, a Copilot button, and dual microphones (DMIC), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of peripherals. There are dual 2.5G RJ45 Ethernet ports with link aggregation, delivering up to 10 Gbps speeds, along with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast and stable wireless connectivity. Despite its powerful capabilities, the AI X1 remains portable, weighing just 0.6kg and measuring 128×126×52mm. It also incorporates an advanced cooling system with phase-change materials, a large fan, and copper heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation, maintaining optimal performance during intensive workloads. The Minisforum AI X1 starts at $439, down from its original price of $549, offering a $110 discount. Shipments are expected to commence from April 8.

MininsForum AI X1 Pro Ryzen HX370 Mini PC

The MinisForum AI X1 Pro is a high-performance mini PC that combines power, versatility, and modern connectivity within a compact and efficient design. Built around the AMD Ryzen AI9 HX370 APU, this system is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from professionals managing demanding workloads to casual users exploring light gaming and multimedia tasks. With support for up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM, advanced storage options, and innovative connectivity, the AI X1 Pro sets a new standard for small-form-factor computing. At the heart of the MinisForum AI X1 Pro lies the AMD Ryzen AI9 HX370 APU, a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture. With a base clock speed of 2.0 GHz and a turbo boost reaching up to 5.1 GHz, this processor ensures seamless multitasking and robust performance across a variety of applications. Complementing the CPU is the Radeon 890M integrated GPU, which features 16 compute units built on RDNA 3.5 architecture. This combination enables the system to handle tasks such as 4K video playback, photo editing, and light gaming with ease. The synergy between the CPU and GPU ensures that the AI X1 Pro is not just a compact PC but a reliable performer for both productivity and entertainment. Whether you're editing high-resolution media or running multiple applications simultaneously, this mini PC delivers consistent and efficient performance. The AI X1 Pro offers impressive memory and storage capabilities, making it adaptable to a variety of user needs. Key features include: This level of expandability ensures the AI X1 Pro remains a future-proof choice, capable of adapting to growing storage and memory demands. Whether you're a professional requiring extensive storage or a casual user looking for flexibility, the AI X1 Pro delivers on all fronts. Enhance your knowledge on AMD Ryzen AI9 HX370 APU by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Modern workflows demand robust and versatile connectivity, and the AI X1 Pro excels in this area. Its connectivity options are designed to meet the needs of both professional and personal use cases. Key features include: These features ensure the AI X1 Pro is well-equipped to handle modern connectivity demands, offering flexibility and speed for a wide range of applications. The design of the AI X1 Pro emphasizes both practicality and aesthetics, making it a standout choice for users who value functionality and style. Its compact chassis integrates a built-in 135W power supply, eliminating the need for an external power brick and reducing clutter. The system can be positioned either vertically or horizontally, thanks to the included stand and mounting bracket, offering flexibility in placement. Pre-installed with Windows 11, the AI X1 Pro is ready to use the latest features of Microsoft's operating system. A dedicated Copilot button provides quick access to AI-driven tools, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity. The BIOS also offers customization options, such as VRAM allocation and TDP adjustments, giving users greater control over system performance. These features make the AI X1 Pro an ideal choice for users who want to maximize the capabilities of Windows 11 while enjoying a customizable and efficient computing experience. The AI X1 Pro is engineered for efficiency, both in cooling and power consumption. Its dual-fan cooling system ensures that the system maintains optimal temperatures, even during heavy workloads. Key thermal and power metrics include: This balance of performance and efficiency makes the AI X1 Pro a sustainable option for users seeking a powerful yet eco-friendly system. One of the standout features of the AI X1 Pro is its expandability. With support for up to 96GB of RAM and 12TB of storage, the system can be tailored to meet specific needs, whether for professional workloads or personal use. The BIOS customization options further enhance its adaptability, allowing users to fine-tune performance settings for optimal results. The combination of expandability, customization, and innovative hardware ensures that the AI X1 Pro remains a versatile and reliable solution for a wide range of computing needs.