Do you love mini PCs as much as me? I don't know why I love them so much, but I think mini PCs are fantastic. They're small, power-efficient, and powerful all at the same time.
Each of these mini PCs has a different form factor and power platform, but they all tempt me for one reason or another.
GPD Micro PC 2
When it comes to odd mini computers, the GPD Micro PC 2 really sets the tone on the bizarre side of things. It's essentially a handheld laptop. You might ask, "Aren't all laptops handheld?" Well, they're not nearly as handheld as the Micro PC 2.
This compact system really tempts me because I could easily slip it into my pocket or backpack without it adding much weight. Having a full-blown x86 system in my pocket would honestly come in handy quite often.
The Micro PC 2 isn't designed for gaming. Still, the N300 processor, 16GB LPDDR5, and 512GB of NVMe storage are more than enough power to handle lightweight tasks like web browsing, printing, document editing, and more without having to lug a full-blown laptop around.
GPD WIN Mini
GPD
While the Micro PC 2 is a solid option for simply using some Windows programs on the go, the WIN Mini turns performance up to 11. With up to a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Strix Point processor, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage, this portable system is designed with gaming in mind.
While I love the idea of the Steam Deck, I simply would prefer a gaming handheld running Windows with a lot more power than Steam's portable system offers. That's where the GPD WIN Mini would tempt me—on-the-go gaming.
Ayaneo Next 2
Ayaneo
The GPD WIN Mini somewhat mixes traditional computer with gaming, but the Ayaneo Next 2 goes all-in on the gaming form-factor—and I'm okay with that. However, instead of just offering integrated graphics, the Next 2 does something no other handheld has done before: offer discrete graphics.
While you won't find an NVIDIA 50-series GPU here, there are still two options for a graphics card with the Next 2. Those choosing Intel's Alder Lake processors will get a DG2 Mobile GPU, while the AMD 6000-series processors will be paired with an AMD RX 6000M-series graphics card.
The AMD RX 6000M-series GPUs offer all the same RDNA2 features and ray tracing capability as the full-size graphics cards do, just in a compact form factor. If I had an unlimited budget and were picking up a handheld gaming PC, it would absolutely be the Ayaneo Next 2.
ONEXPLAYER G1
On the other end of the spectrum from the Ayaneo Next 2 is the ONEXPLAYER G1 . Designed as a gaming handheld and laptop in one, this system offers up to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and 64GB of RAM.
While that's the same as the GPD WIN Mini, the unique aspect of the ONEXPLAYER G1 that draws me to it as a crazy mini PC I'd love to have is the fact that it has a larger 8.8-inch 144Hz display and two different keyboard modes—letting you choose between a traditional keyboard/laptop layout and a layout that's designed for gaming.
Aaeon PICO-MTU4-SEMI
Aaeon
Moving away from the handheld side of mini PCs, I really like the PICO-MTU4-SEMI from Aaeon . While the name is a mouthful, this compact PC is actually the "world's smallest Core Ultra-powered mini PC." This tiny desktop also happens to be fanless.
Measuring just 108 x 95 x 43mm and weighing in at just under 15 ounces, I would absolutely love to have a few of these systems in my homelab. The Core Ultra 5 processor and LPDDR3 RAM would give ample power to run homelab services, and the dual 2.5Gb and 1Gb Ethernet ports would allow for fast data transfers with my servers.
Add to that the two M.2 NVMe drives and all the other add-ons it can have, and this fanless, noiseless desktop that's extremely small is the ultimate homelab system—and I really want one.
Corsair AI Workstation 300
While a Core Ultra 5 is nice and all, the Corsair AI Workstation looks like an absolutely killer compact desktop. The tiny 4.4-liter form factor houses a powerhouse of a system, including the Ryzen AI Max 300-series platform, which includes AMD's XDNA 2 NPU architecture with up to 50 TOPS (Trillions of Operating per Second) for on-device AI acceleration.
This desktop can also handle up to 128GB of DDR5X RAM and much more, NVMe storage, 2.5G Ethernet, USB4, and much more. I really want to deploy this desktop in my setup as it would be great for AI workloads, as well as handling the heavier transcoding workflows that my homelab needs.
Framework Desktop
Framework
On the modular side of things, Frameworks' Desktop can't be missed. Using the same Ryzen AI Max processor that Corsair's AI Workstation 300 does, the Framework Desktop comes in three spec options with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The best part? The Framework Desktop is user-upgradable.
Since Framework chose standard Mini-ITX motherboards and a FlexATX power supply with a 120mm CPU fan, you'll be able to swap your own components in this compact desktop down the road if you need to upgrade for any reason. I love that Framework didn't just build a one-and-done desktop here, but they made it so things could be changed out if needed.
That's why I'd love to have a Framework Desktop in my setup—I could swap the motherboard out for a new one in a few years while still keeping the ultra-small, backpackable desktop form factor.
ZOTAC MAGNUS EN275060TC
ZOTAC
ZOTAC stole the show at Computex for me because it's a mini PC that has a desktop RTX 5060 Ti in it. Yes, this tiny tot of a PC packs both a Core Ultra 7 mobile processor and a desktop RTX 5060 Ti—and I need it.
If I'm being honest with myself, my Ryzen 9 7900X and RTX 3080 desktop is overkill for what I do on it (play Minecraft). Something small like ZOTAC's mini PC would give me plenty of power to play most games while taking up a fraction of the space my full-size desktop does.
Truly, if I were buying a mini PC right now, the MANGUS EN275060TC would be it.
Honorable Mention: Lunar
Lunar
Lunar's mini PC was a Kickstarter from earlier this year, but it doesn't seem to be available to purchase anymore. Realistically, the Lunar mini PC is the most bizarre computer that I've ever seen—because it doesn't look like a computer at all.
Instead, Lunar is simply a foldable keyboard that has an AMD Ryzen 7 8840 and 32GB of RAM in it, alongside 1TB of storage. Yes, all of that power is housed in a keyboard.
While I'd have to provide my own screen, I really wish I could shove the Lunar in my pocket when I leave the house. It would be great to have at church, and even nice to have at family or friends' houses if I needed to access any of my information for whatever reason. I really wish Lunar was available, but sadly, it doesn't seem to be a full-fledged product anymore.
Why do I love mini PCs so much? Well, they're small, powerful, and typically pretty power-efficient. Some of the mentions here today are even completely portable and battery-powered.
I think that mini PCs are the future of most homelab tasks , and larger storage servers will become relegated to just handling storage and nothing more.
