During CES 2025, I had the opportunity to explore the newest hardware offerings from various equipment manufacturers. Typically, at events like this, you’ll find a variety of laptops, high-performance desktops, graphics cards, and monitors. However, on this occasion, I noticed an unusual abundance of mini PCs among the usual devices. Remarkably, most of these compact computers were equipped with AI processors.
It’s fascinating to see the evolution of Mini PCs over time, and this recent surge has sparked my curiosity about the latest technological innovations and SoC (System-on-Chip) solutions. With these new advancements, companies have now managed to pack a significant amount of power into compact designs, leading to more cost-effective and balanced computing options compared to traditional desktops.
What gadgets did we see at CES? Let’s delve deeper and talk about the mini PCs that have piqued my interest and their unique features that distinguish them from others.
Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini X and ThinkCentre Neo 50q — The first Snapdragon X SoC mini PCs
To begin with, Lenovo unveiled the world’s initial mini PC models equipped with Snapdragon X chips, namely the IdeaCentre Mini X and ThinkCentre Neo 50q. Both of these devices incorporate AI-enhancing NPUs (neural processing units) and can generate 45 TOPS, making them AI-capable PCs prepared to support Copilot+ functionalities. Furthermore, since Snapdragon employs Arm architecture and these mini PCs operate on Windows 11, they are also dual-purpose devices that run Windows on Arm.
Currently, neither of the Lenovo AI mini PC models features the Snapdragon X Elite SoC. However, there’s a chance that a model with this configuration might be released in the future.
In April 2025, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini X is set to debut, with an initial cost of $659.99. On the other hand, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Tower will make its appearance in June this year, carrying a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $699.99.
Geekom QS1 — The first Snapdragon X Elite mini PC
Previously, we covered how Lenovo holds the title for the world’s initial mini PC powered by a Snapdragon X SoC. Notably, during CES 2025, Geekom announced plans to introduce a mini PC running Windows 11 Pro, powered by the same Snapdragon X Elite chipset. Consequently, this device can be categorized as another Windows on Arm AI mini PC.
From my perspective, as I gaze upon this forthcoming gadget, I can’t help but be impressed by its potential capabilities. Reports suggest it could hit a staggering 45 NUC TOPS. Under the hood, you’ll find the anticipated Qualcomm Adreno GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which promises smooth visuals. It also boasts a dual-channel LPDDR5x, capable of accommodating up to an impressive 64GB. For storage, it’s equipped to house two NVME Gen 4 SSDs. Just like other Geekom mini PCs, it seems designed with versatility in mind, offering a variety of ports to cater to diverse connection requirements.
The price and expected release date for the Geekom QS1 is currently unknown.
HP Z2 Mini G1a — An extremely powerful mini PC
Although numerous mini PCs feature compact, squat designs, the shape of the HP Z2 Mini G1a resembles more of a condensed desktop computer. Despite being relatively larger than typical mini PCs, HP has engineered it to be installed behind your monitor or beneath your desk.
For its intended use, the HP Z2 Mini G1a, as per HP’s website, is a device designed to handle workflows that were previously beyond the capabilities of a compact workstation. This includes quicker render times within 3D creative applications. In simpler terms, this machine should be quite powerful for its size, possibly even among the most powerful mini PCs available.
As a tech enthusiast, I’m thrilled about this device’s ability to handle heavier tasks more efficiently. It boasts an AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro Series processor, capable of achieving up to 50 Neuron Processing Units (NPU) TOPS. This power is further enhanced by an integrated AMD Radeon graphics card. For memory-intensive tasks, it offers up to 128GB RAM and massive storage of up to 8TB SSD. To cater to your diverse connectivity needs, it’s equipped with a variety of ports.
The HP Z2 Mini G1a is expected to release sometime in Spring 2025 and likely has a hefty price tag.
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2M — A Copilot+ mini PC
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, MSI unveiled two compact computers: the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and the Cubi NUC AI 1UM. Although both models are visually appealing, I find the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M more captivating.
As more and more AI-focused mini PCs are being released, it’s no wonder that the latest MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2M sports a Copilot button (alongside a power button/fingerprint reader) on its front. This Copilot button, combined with the Lunar Lake Intel Core Ultra 258V processor inside, makes this mini PC eligible to be called a Copilot+ PC or simply put, a Copilot+ mini PC. MSI claims that the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M can achieve up to 115 NPU TOPS in performance.
In addition, this compact computer comes equipped with an integrated microphone (D-Mic) and speaker, along with two Thunderbolt 4 connections, two 2.5G Ethernet ports, and compatibility for as many as three external displays. However, the launch date and cost have not been disclosed just yet.
Acer Revo Box AI — An AI mini PC with a an easy-access fingerprint reader
Acer has once again entered the mini PC market with its new product, the Revo Box AI. This compact AI computer distinguishes itself from many competitors, as it comes in a white case instead of the usual silver or black. However, what I find particularly appealing about this design is that the fingerprint reader is positioned on top of the device, making it more accessible than models with a power button/fingerprint reader located on the front side.
This device boasts an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of reaching 48 TeraOps per second (TOPS), and it sports an integrated Intel Arc graphics card. It offers up to 32GB of high-speed LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage. For expansion, there’s one M.2 WLAN slot (size 2230) and two M.2 SSD slots (size 2280). It supports Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and provides a selection of ports, even though it could be improved with additional USB-C connections.
This mini PC is expected to launch sometime in Q2 2025 with a starting price of $799.99.
Several AI mini PCs to choose from this year
As a researcher, I’ve observed a growing interest in mini PCs, a technology that has been around for quite some time yet subtly escalating its popularity over the past few years. This trend is hinted at by at least two OEMs unveiling their first new mini PC models in years during CES 2025.
In the upcoming months, these small-scale computers offer a budget-friendly yet powerful choice compared to traditional desktops and laptops vying for consumers’ attention. If your preference leans towards a more economical and minimalistic setup in 2025, mini PCs could very well be the perfect solution for you this year.
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2025-01-15 16:13