Compact Windows PC Beats M4 Mac Mini in Key Tests – Now on Sale
▼ Summary
– The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a high-performance mini PC priced at $1,129, designed for creators and coders with top-tier AMD hardware and AI capabilities.
– It competes with the Mac Mini M4, offering features like a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, 96GB RAM, and 4TB storage, with strong multitasking and gaming performance.
– The device has limited built-in audio and mic quality, but excels with external peripherals and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and multiple high-resolution monitors.
– It includes an Oculink slot for external GPUs or high-speed storage, enhancing gaming and creative workflows, though some optimization is needed for demanding tasks.
– The AI X1 Pro runs cool and quiet, excels at on-device AI tasks, and is ideal for developers and creatives rather than as a dedicated gaming machine.
The Minisforum AI X1 Pro delivers desktop-level performance in a compact form factor, outperforming Apple’s M4 Mac Mini in several key benchmarks while offering serious AI capabilities. Priced at $1,129 (currently discounted to $899), this mini PC packs AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, Radeon 890M graphics, and support for up to 96GB RAM and 4TB storage – making it a compelling alternative for developers, content creators, and power users.
Unlike typical mini PCs that compromise on performance, the AI X1 Pro stands out with its Copilot+ PC certification and specialized hardware for AI workloads. During testing, it handled multiple 4K displays effortlessly while maintaining near-silent operation, thanks to an advanced cooling system that keeps thermals in check even under heavy loads.
Benchmark results tell an interesting story. In multi-core Cinebench 24 tests, the device scored 1,243 points – significantly higher than the Mac Mini M4’s 972. While Apple’s chip still leads in single-core Geekbench performance (3,798 vs 2,960), the Minisforum solution shines in parallel processing scenarios common in creative workflows and AI applications.
Connectivity won’t disappoint either. The unit includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 alongside a generous port selection: three USB Type-A, two USB4, HDMI, and a unique Oculink slot supporting PCIe 4.0 devices. This last feature enables external GPU connections, transforming the compact system into a capable gaming rig when paired with dedicated graphics hardware.
Audio quality proves to be the system’s weakest link. The built-in speaker delivers adequate sound for system alerts but falls short for media consumption. Similarly, the integrated microphone works for casual calls but can’t replace dedicated audio equipment. These limitations hardly matter for the target audience, who will likely connect professional peripherals anyway.
Gaming performance surprised with smooth frame rates in most titles, though demanding games required some graphics adjustments. The real strength lies in AI acceleration – local LLM processing through tools like LM Studio demonstrated remarkable speed, completing complex coding queries almost instantly without cloud dependencies.
For professionals needing a Windows-based alternative to the Mac Mini with superior multi-threaded performance and AI optimization, the AI X1 Pro makes a strong case. Its modular expansion capabilities through Oculink and robust thermal design set it apart from competitors in this growing category of compact powerhouses.
(Source: ZDNET)
