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A new 2026 buying guide from Thorsten Meyer AI ranks 10 mini PCs built for AI workloads, naming the Minisforum AI X1 Pro the best overall pick on the strength of its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 chip and Radeon 890M graphics. The GEEKOM A9 Max and GEEKOM IT15 round out the top recommendations, with the guide framing the choice as a tradeoff between raw power, expandability and price.
A new 2026 roundup from Thorsten Meyer AI has ranked the best mini PCs for AI workloads, naming the Minisforum AI X1 Pro the best overall choice on the strength of its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor and Radeon 890M graphics. The comparison covers 10 models from three brands — Minisforum, GEEKOM and GMKtec — and is aimed at buyers trying to run AI tasks, content creation and multi-display setups on compact desktop hardware.
According to the guide, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro earns the top spot with a 12-core, 24-thread Ryzen AI 9 HX370 running at up to 5.1 GHz, support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, and room for three PCIe 4.0 SSDs. For buyers focused on AI productivity, the site recommends the GEEKOM A9 Max, built around a Ryzen AI 9 HX470 with an XDNA 2 NPU rated at up to 55 TOPS and total AI performance of 86 TOPS. The GEEKOM IT15, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H with 16 cores at up to 5.4 GHz and Arc 140T graphics, is positioned as the balanced option for performance and connectivity.
Other ranked models include the GMKtec EVO-X2 with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, 128GB of LPDDR5X memory and a Radeon RX 8060S GPU, and the GMKtec EVO-X1, which supports triple 8K displays. Storage across the lineup ranges from 1TB to 2TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD capacity in standard configurations, with some models expandable well beyond that.
The guide frames the buying decision for the best mini PCs for AI as a tradeoff between raw power, expandability and price. Common features among top-tier models include WiFi 7, USB4 and multi-display support, while premium models add more memory headroom and faster storage options.
Unlock AI Potential With the Best Mini PCs of 2026
A new 2026 roundup ranks 10 mini PCs across three brands — Minisforum, GEEKOM and GMKtec — for local AI workloads, content creation and multi-display setups. The verdict: the choice is a tradeoff between raw power, expandability and price.
Three Picks, Three Priorities
Minisforum AI X1 Pro
AMD CampThe top spot on the strength of its Ryzen AI 9 HX370 and Radeon 890M — built to scale with demanding workloads.
- 12-core / 24-thread CPU, up to 5.1 GHz
- Up to 128GB DDR5 memory
- Room for three PCIe 4.0 SSDs
GEEKOM A9 Max
AMD CampThe recommendation for AI productivity, leading the field on vendor-rated NPU performance.
- Ryzen AI 9 HX470 processor
- XDNA 2 NPU rated up to 55 TOPS
- 86 TOPS total AI performance
GEEKOM IT15
Intel CampPositioned as the balanced option for performance and connectivity in the Intel camp.
- Core Ultra 9 285H · 16 cores
- Boosts up to 5.4 GHz
- Arc 140T integrated graphics
The 2026 Field at a Glance
| Model | AI X1 Pro ★ | A9 Max | IT15 | EVO-X2 | EVO-X1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Ryzen AI 9 HX37012C/24T · 5.1 GHz | Ryzen AI 9 HX470XDNA 2 NPU | Core Ultra 9 285H16C · 5.4 GHz | Ryzen AI Max+ 395Strix Halo class | Ryzen AI seriestriple-8K focus |
| Graphics / NPU | Radeon 890M | 55 TOPS NPU · 86 TOPS total | Intel Arc 140T | Radeon RX 8060S | Radeon integrated |
| Memory | Up to 128GB DDR5 | DDR5 upgradeable | DDR5 upgradeable | 128GB LPDDR5X onboard | From 32GB DDR5 |
| Display Output | Multi-display | Multi-display | Multi-display | Up to 4 × 8K | Triple 8K |
| WiFi 7 / USB4 | ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ | ~ varies by config |
| Best For | Best overall balance | AI productivity | Performance + connectivity | High-end ceiling | 8K multitasking |
Source: Thorsten Meyer AI 2026 roundup · Figures per chip and vendor specifications · Storage ranges 1TB–2TB PCIe 4.0 in standard configs
AMD vs Intel: How the Field Splits
AMD-Based Systems
- Lean on Radeon integrated graphics and high memory ceilings
- Ryzen AI chips pair CPU cores with NPUs rated in the tens of TOPS
- GEEKOM A9 Max leads on NPU ratings at up to 86 TOPS total
Intel-Based Systems
- Counter with Arc graphics and Core Ultra processors
- Dual 2.5GbE networking and quad-display 8K output
- Recommended for balancing performance with connectivity
“Choosing the right AI mini PC depends on balancing processing needs, expandability, connectivity, and budget constraints.”
Thorsten Meyer AI · Buying Criteria
Memory Headroom & the Buying Tradeoff
Memory Ceiling · GB
A 32GB soldered machine may age faster than one that scales to 128GB — even if both benchmark similarly today.
The Tradeoff Spectrum
Positioning reflects the guide’s editorial framing; prices vary widely across the lineup and shift with promotions.
From NPU Chips to a 2026 Ranking
Room for Doubt — and What Comes Next
Where the Rankings Leave Room for Doubt
Caveats- These are one outlet’s editorial picks — no independent lab benchmarking is published alongside the guide.
- The site carries affiliate links to the products it recommends.
- TOPS figures come from chip and vendor specifications and don’t always translate to real-world AI speed.
- Pricing is not fixed — the value case shifts with promotions and stock.
What Buyers Should Watch Next
Outlook · Late 2026- Successor Ryzen AI and Core Ultra chips are expected later in 2026 and could reshuffle the rankings.
- The high end currently sets the pace: EVO-X2’s 128GB ceiling and A9 Max’s 86 TOPS.
- Retail prices will likely move as 2026 promotions roll out — buyers not in a rush may benefit from waiting.
Why Compact AI Hardware Is Gaining Ground
The roundup reflects a broader shift in the PC market: local AI processing is moving from full-size workstations into small-form-factor machines. Chips such as AMD’s Ryzen AI series and Intel’s Core Ultra line now ship with dedicated neural processing units, letting compact systems handle inference, video work and rendering tasks that once required larger desktops.
For readers, the practical takeaway is that expandability has become the dividing line between models. The guide stresses that RAM and SSD slots matter for future-proofing, since AI workloads tend to grow more demanding over time. A machine with 32GB of soldered memory may age faster than one that can scale to 128GB of DDR5, even if both benchmark similarly today.
Price remains the other pressure point. According to the guide, premium options deliver more power and expansion room, while budget models cover essential AI tasks only — a gap buyers should weigh against their actual workloads rather than headline specifications.
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How the 2026 AI Mini PC Field Took Shape
Mini PCs have existed for years as low-power office machines, but the category changed character with the arrival of AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series and Intel’s Core Ultra processors, which pair conventional CPU cores with NPUs rated in the tens of TOPS. Vendors including Minisforum, GEEKOM and GMKtec have built their 2025–2026 lineups around these chips, marketing the machines for AI-assisted productivity, video editing, 3D rendering and local model inference.
The compared models cluster into two camps. AMD-based systems such as the AI X1 Pro and EVO-X2 lean on Radeon integrated graphics and high memory ceilings, while Intel-based entries like the GEEKOM IT15 and IT13 MAX counter with Arc graphics, dual 2.5GbE networking and quad-display 8K output. Cooling has also become a selling point, with vendors advertising dual-fan layouts, copper bases and separate SSD fans to sustain performance in small enclosures.
“The MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro stands out as the best overall choice, thanks to its robust AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 and Radeon 890M.”
— Thorsten Meyer AI, in its 2026 roundup
Best mini PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX370
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Where the Rankings Leave Room for Doubt
These rankings are one outlet’s editorial picks, not the result of independent lab benchmarking published alongside the guide, and the site carries affiliate links to the products it recommends. Performance figures such as TOPS ratings come from chip and vendor specifications, which do not always translate directly into real-world AI workload speed. Pricing is not fixed in the roundup — the guide notes that cost varies widely across the lineup, so the value case for each model can shift with promotions and stock. It is also not yet clear how these machines will hold up against the next wave of NPU-equipped chips expected later in 2026.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What Buyers Should Watch for Next
The guide directs readers to full individual breakdowns of each model for deeper specification and pricing detail, and prices listed at retail are likely to move as 2026 promotions roll out. On the hardware side, the next checkpoint for this category is the arrival of successor Ryzen AI and Core Ultra chips, which could reshuffle these rankings — particularly at the high end, where the GMKtec EVO-X2’s 128GB memory ceiling and the GEEKOM A9 Max’s 86 TOPS rating currently set the pace. Buyers not in a rush may benefit from watching how vendors refresh these exact models over the coming months.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Which AI mini PC is the best overall pick for 2026?
According to the Thorsten Meyer AI roundup, the Minisforum AI X1 Pro is the best overall choice, pairing an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor with Radeon 890M graphics and support for up to 128GB of DDR5 memory.
What should I prioritize when choosing an AI mini PC?
The guide recommends balancing processing power, expandability, connectivity and budget. RAM and SSD upgrade slots are singled out as the most important factor for future-proofing against more demanding AI workloads.
Is an Intel or AMD model better for AI tasks?
Both camps are represented in the top picks. AMD models such as the GEEKOM A9 Max lead on NPU performance ratings, while Intel-based options like the GEEKOM IT15 with a Core Ultra 9 285H are recommended for balancing performance with connectivity.
How much memory do I need for AI workloads on a mini PC?
Most recommended configurations ship with 32GB of DDR5, but the guide advises choosing a model upgradeable to 128GB if you expect demanding or growing workloads. High-end options like the GMKtec EVO-X2 ship with 128GB of LPDDR5X out of the box.
Are these rankings based on independent testing?
The roundup is an editorial buying guide drawing on manufacturer specifications, and the site includes affiliate links. Quoted figures such as TOPS ratings come from chip vendors, so real-world performance may differ from the headline numbers.
Source: Thorsten Meyer AI
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