The best thing I did in 2025 was start using a mini PC, and it changed everything

by

I honestly feel so fortunate to do what I do. Getting to work with technology, something I’m genuinely passionate about, is something I appreciate every single day. A big bonus? I get to test out tons of new gadgets and tech throughout the year, and occasionally, I find something I can’t live without!

Mini PCs are a great option, and I’ve actually used them before. I even relied on a Mac Mini as my main computer over ten years ago. Lately, I’ve been using my powerful gaming PC for everything, but it’s much more than I need for simple tasks like work.

I recently started using the Geekom A9 Max mini PC, and it’s quickly become my go-to device for almost everything. It’s been a real eye-opener – these small computers can be incredibly powerful while taking up very little space, running coolly and quietly, and using less energy. Honestly, it’s the best tech purchase I’ve made all year.

Laptop chips are seriously good now

It’s been several years since I last regularly used a Windows mini PC. Back then, I built one with an AMD processor – specifically, I put a Ryzen 5 3400G inside an ASRock Deskmini. It was a great little machine for both work and even some gaming.

Most mini PCs now use chips designed for laptops, either from Intel or AMD. It’s impressive how far these chips have come – in many cases, they perform just as well as traditional desktop computer processors.

I’m currently using an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 processor. It’s a 55-watt chip with 12 cores and 24 threads, and it includes Radeon 890M graphics. The processor uses a combination of core types: four high-performance Zen 5 cores and eight more energy-efficient Zen 5c cores. This is similar to how my desktop computer’s Intel processor is set up – it has a total of 20 cores, divided into 8 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores.

To be honest, those two processors are more powerful than I actually need for most tasks. I don’t constantly run programs that demand a lot of processing power. Mostly, I use my computer for things like running AI programs locally and playing games.

As a researcher, I’ve been really impressed with the Ryzen AI 9 HX370. I’ve been testing it in a mini PC, and because I’m not limited by battery life, I can really push its limits. It handles everything I throw at it with ease – it’s incredibly powerful.

I’ve always been impressed with AMD’s built-in graphics – they’ve consistently outperformed Intel for a long time now. The Radeon 890M continues that trend. While I’ll get into gaming performance shortly, I’ve mostly been using it to run AI models locally with LM Studio, and that’s what I want to focus on for now.

With 32GB of RAM, I can dedicate up to 24GB to the graphics card, allowing me to run large language models smoothly. It’s not as powerful as a high-end card like the RTX 5090, but it handles the task well.

The impressive thing is that for about $1,000, you can get a complete PC that handles demanding tasks you might normally need an expensive graphics card to run.

Yes, gaming on a mini PC is possible, and enjoyable

Now that portable gaming PCs are gaining popularity, game developers and AMD are increasingly focusing on software improvements to ensure games run smoothly on these less powerful devices.

My gaming desktop is still my go-to machine. I’m still happily spending way too much time playing Call of Duty on my RTX 5090.

This chip can easily handle gaming at 1080p resolution with a smooth 60 frames per second or higher. During my testing with the Geekom A9 Max, I played several games and, using AMD’s FSR technology, consistently achieved 60 FPS even in graphically intensive titles.

With frame generation enabled, Cyberpunk 2077 can achieve a smooth 60 frames per second or better at medium settings. Call of Duty and Forza Horizon 5 also run above 60 FPS – Forza Horizon 5 even manages this at high settings.

AMD’s Fidelity Super Resolution (FSR) is continually improving, and it works remarkably well on small devices like mini PCs, as well as handhelds such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. I’m especially impressed with Frame Generation – it feels like a game-changer. While I wouldn’t recommend it for competitive multiplayer, it significantly enhances the experience in single-player games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Spider-Man: Remastered, delivering impressive visual quality.

I was even surprised to find I could play Borderlands 4 on it! It doesn’t run perfectly, but considering how demanding that game was for PCs at launch, it really highlights how capable these mini PCs can be, even when pushed to their limits.

I’m planning to experiment with the Xbox Full Screen Experience, likely during my time off, to see how well it works as a console for playing games on my TV. While I’ve looked at Bazzite, I’m particularly interested in seeing how the Xbox Full Screen Experience looks and feels on a larger screen.

There are very few compromises in using a mini PC over a regular desktop

Basically, switching to a mini PC hasn’t meant sacrificing any functionality. The Geekom A9 Max can handle everything I used to do on my larger gaming PC or laptop, with the only real difference being a bit less performance in games.

Surprisingly, it has more connection ports than my desktop computer. Plus, it has space for two solid-state drives, and you can upgrade the memory later on, once prices come down a bit.

I estimated how much money I could save over a year by using my gaming PC – and its power-hungry graphics card – less often. Considering UK electricity prices, I could save around £300, which is a decent amount.

I initially praised the Geekom A9 Max as a versatile, all-in-one device, and after continued use, I’m even more certain that assessment was correct. It proved to be a great decision.

Curious if my experience makes you want to try a mini PC? Or are you happy with your current computer? Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll!

Read More

2025-12-25 20:10