It’s insane to me that this mini PC can outperform an NVIDIA RTX 5090 with LLMs and AI workloads

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Running demanding AI tasks like Large Language Models (LLMs) on your own computer usually requires a powerful, and often very expensive, desktop PC with a high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card.

Even powerful graphics cards can run out of video memory when handling demanding tasks. That’s where AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX comes in – it’s a complete system designed to address this issue. Remarkably, it fits into a space only slightly larger than a typical graphics card, and HP chose this platform for its high-end Z2 Mini (G1a) computer.

I’ve been thoroughly testing this small but powerful mini PC, and it’s confirmed two things: first, HP consistently creates excellent, professional-grade hardware, and second, AMD Ryzen AI MAX is the best choice for anyone needing AI capabilities without a bulky computer taking up valuable desk space.

We received a review unit from HP for this evaluation. HP did not have any influence on the review and hadn’t seen it before it was published.

A beautiful design that nails the fundamentals

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) lives up to its name as a small PC, but it’s a bit larger than some of the really tiny models available. This is understandable, as it packs a lot of processing power. At 20cm x 16.8cm x 8.55cm and weighing about 2.3kg, it’s roughly the same size as a high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card.

While many work computers focus on what they *do* rather than how they look, the Z2 Mini stands out by combining powerful performance with a sleek design. Its all-black finish and unique front grille not only look good but also keep the system cool by maximizing airflow.

It looks great, but it does show fingerprints easily, so handle it with care. The Z2 Mini (G1a) is really versatile – you can use it standing up, lying flat, or even mount it on a rack, wall, or the back of your monitor, pretty much anywhere you like. A nice touch is that the HP logo on the front rotates to stay right-side up, no matter how you position the computer.

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) combines a stylish look with powerful performance, offering a versatile and capable machine.

The Z2 Mini offers plenty of ports, both on the back and side (or top, depending on how you position it). Businesses can further customize it with HP’s “Flex I/O” using two expansion slots. But even without adding anything, you’ll find five standard USB ports, three USB-C ports (two of which support the faster USB4/Thunderbolt 4 standard), two Mini DisplayPorts, an Ethernet port, a security lock slot, and a headphone jack.

The Z2 Mini has a good selection of ports, though you might need an adapter for Mini DisplayPort. It also features the latest wireless technology, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. It even includes a built-in speaker, which is a priority for business users-though the sound quality isn’t great; it’s a bit tinny and quiet, and isn’t designed for enjoying music or videos.

Similar to other top mini PCs, the Z2 Mini is designed for easy access to its internal components, including the two M.2 slots. You can remove half of the case with a simple switch, making upgrades and repairs much easier than on most mini PCs. However, the switch feels a bit flimsy and the panel doesn’t quite sit securely, even when locked. This is the one area where the Z2 Mini (G1a) doesn’t feel as well-built as the rest of the device.

Ridiculous performance — exactly what you paid for

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) offers a range of processing power, from 6 to 16 CPU cores and 16 to 40 GPU cores, all powered by AMD Ryzen AI MAX technology. It also includes a cutting-edge Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that unlocks the AI features of Copilot+ PCs.

This particular model is a high-performer, featuring a 16-core Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 395 processor, a 40-core Radeon 8060S graphics card, and 128GB of shared memory. Like other systems built with these components, it allows you to dedicate up to 96GB of VRAM to the graphics card. The Z2 Mini (G1a) also includes several business-focused HP tools and features, such as the Performance Advisor app, which lets you easily adjust settings like VRAM allocation without needing to change BIOS settings.

The Z2 Mini’s large video memory lets it run huge AI models directly on the device, using only the graphics card. This results in a significant performance boost, even surpassing the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. Plus, the integrated Radeon 8060S graphics processor is surprisingly strong, performing similarly to RTX 4070s found in many laptops.

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) is powerful enough for even the most challenging games, but it truly shines when used for creative tasks and artificial intelligence applications.

I’ve now tested AMD Ryzen AI MAX three times – in the HP ZBook Ultra 14, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, and now this mini PC – and I’m consistently impressed. While a full desktop computer will always be more powerful, you won’t find this level of performance in such a small package anywhere else.

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) generally outperformed the two laptops I tested that use the same processor, likely because it has a more powerful cooling system. And it *does* keep cool even when working hard, though the fans become quite noisy-noticeably louder than most mini PCs.

Ultimately, this mini PC performs exceptionally well with creative tasks and AI applications – exactly what HP intended. It’s a powerful workstation built for professionals who need serious performance, and it delivers, supported by HP’s robust enterprise features like HP Wolf Security Pro. While it can handle gaming – I had fun with Forza Horizon 5 – people buying this mini PC will primarily use it for work.

HP Z2 Mini (G1a) review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want the most powerful mini PC you can get your hands on.
  • You want a compact workstation for heavy-duty AI workloads.
  • You highly value HP’s added enterprise features and programs.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You won’t take advantage of the shared system and GPU memory.
  • You’re looking for a capable but affordable mini PC for the home.

The HP Z2 Mini (G1a) is truly impressive. AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX platform is excellent, and HP built on that success with a well-designed machine packed with helpful features.

The Z2 Mini (G1a) offers good value for its features, but only when it’s discounted. Like other HP Z-series computers, it can be quite pricey, so it’s important to be sure this is the right PC for you before buying.

This mini PC is significantly more powerful than typical models, capable of running even the newest, most demanding games in a size similar to a graphics card. However, it’s built for specialized, intensive tasks – specifically, artificial intelligence applications for businesses. This focus is evident throughout its design, including how it’s meant to be mounted.

When it comes to this type of workstation, the HP Z2 Mini (G1a) is the best option, and you can customize and buy one directly from HP starting at $2,480. You can also check HP’s website for pre-built configurations and possible deals.

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2025-09-21 16:11