Ranking: The best office mini-PCs reviewed by Notebookcheck

The Aoostar GEM12 offers a lot of performance in the smallest of spaces without tearing a big hole in your wallet. In our test, we took a look at the Aoostar GEM12 based on the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS. The now widespread AMD Radeon 780M is used as the iGPU. The modern connectivity is a positive highlight. There is even an OCULink interface, which means that even external graphics cards can be connected without any problems. An important criterion for mini PCs is the noise level under load. The Aoostar GEM12 was also able to deliver good results here, achieving an excellent result overall.

The Aoostar GEM12 delivers impressive performance based on an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS. A modern interface and a high-quality case with powerful cooling are a good selling point, which goes hand in hand with a fair price.

The Aoostar GEM12 is available directly from the manufacturer in different versions. The barebone version starts at 469 US dollars. The GEM12 with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD is available for 629 US dollars, although the top model with 64 GB RAM and 1 TB storage space is available for 749 US dollars.

The Geekom AX8 Pro is a stylish mini PC that attracts attention with its blue color scheme. However, the Geekom AX8 Pro is also technically impressive, as it is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS under its stylish guise, which is supported by 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 2 TB SSD. The extremely compact design limits the upgrade options somewhat, which means that only one mass storage device can be installed. This also has an impact on the cooling unit, which only allows limited processor performance. Nevertheless, the little powerhouse demonstrates high computing power, which is reflected in the good result.

The Geekom AX8 Pro is a stylish mini PC with great performance. To keep up with the competition, it needs a little more than just a new coat of paint.

Geekom offers the AX8 Pro with 32 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD for 999 euros. In the meantime, on Amazon Germany the device is currently available for 849 euros.

With new hardware in a familiar design Geekom pairs the AE7 with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS and 32 GB DDR5 RAM. The manufacturer also installs a 1 TB SSD. Overall, the mini PC performs quite well in our test course. Many connections, a long warranty and perfect workmanship are just some of the positive points that underpin the good rating.

The Geekom AE7 is a powerful mini PC based on an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. However, the dusty design and the small cooling unit could be improved.

The Geekom AE7 can be ordered directly from the manufacturer for 779 euros. The Geekom AE7 can also be ordered from Amazon for 779 euros.

The Minisforum MS-A1 is a special mini PC that is suitable for a wide range of tasks. The biggest advantage over most conventional mini PCs is the processor, which can be replaced if necessary. If you order the barebone version of the device, there is no way around having to do it yourself anyway. However, there are then additional costs for the RAM, the SSD and the operating system. We tested the Minisforum MS-A1 in the pre-configured version with AMD Ryzen 7 8700G, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. With a good iGPU, which has now found its way into a desktop processor as the AMD Radeon 780, you get good 3D performance. At the same time, the compact work PC offers modern features and space for up to four SSDs.

The Minisforum MS-A1 is an excellent basis for a powerful workstation. The Minisforum MS-A1 is not a pure workstation in this form.

The Minisforum MS-A1 can be purchased from Minisforum directly. The device is currently available in our test configuration for 829 euros.

The NUC division, once launched by Intel, is now being continued by Asus. With the Asus NUC 14 Pro asus uses Intel's Meteor Lake processors and we were able to see the performance based on the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H for ourselves in our test. With the new iGPU, the new SoCs offer significantly more 3D performance, although AMD still offers the faster models. Nevertheless, Asus has nothing to hide with the Intel SoC. The options offered by the BIOS are excellent. Many other manufacturers can take an example here. The performance is also good, although the cooling unit quickly reaches its limit due to the compact design.

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is a powerful NUC mini PC. The connectivity is better than most competitors, and the extensive BIOS options are also a real selling point.

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is available in different configurations. The mini PC with Intel Core Ultra 5 125H is currently on the virtual shelf for around 500 euros. Our test device is listed at Alternate and Notebooksbilliger.

The Minisforum UH125 Pro is a powerful mini PC. Based on the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, it offers 14 native computing cores, with which the Minisforum UH125 Pro achieves a usable performance. The Minisforum UH125 Pro has a lot to offer in terms of connectivity. In addition to two USB4 ports, there is also an OCULink connection. Fast WLAN and two LAN ports with 5 GBit each are also not standard and make the Minisforum UH125 Pro stand out from the crowd.

The Minisforum UH125 Pro has what it takes to be a really good mini PC. The connectivity is perfect, and with a customized fan curve, the mini PC remains quiet even under load.

The Minisforum UH125 Pro can be ordered directly from the manufacturer's store. The barebone model starts at 419 Euro, although the system in our test configuration with 32 GB DDR5 RAM and 1 TB SSD is available for 599 euros. Amazon Germany also offers the Minisforum UH125 Pro with the same specs for 599 euros.

In the test, the Aoostar GEM10 with AMD Ryzen 7 6800H was able to deliver a reasonable result. Although a somewhat older SoC is installed, the Aoostar GEM10 can hold its own against many other competitors. At the same time, the Aoostar GEM10 has a very compact design and only requires a very small footprint. Nevertheless, the manufacturer has managed to accommodate two fans in the device, which are not disruptive under load. A high-quality choice of materials and impeccable workmanship were convincing in the test. The Aoostar GEM10 is also equipped with modern connections and can even accommodate up to three SSDs internally.

The Aoostar GEM10 turns out to be a fast and inexpensive working device despite its outdated CPU. With modern connections such as USB4 and OCuLink as well as the option of installing three M.2 SSDs, the mini PC offers many selling points.

The Aoostar GEM10 is available directly from the manufacturer in three variants. The barebone version starts at 379 US dollars. The GEM10 with the same base and 512 GB SSD is available for 429 US dollars, although the top model with 1 TB of storage space is available for 459 US dollars.

With the second-generation Mind, the company has tweaked a few things, significantly improving the computer. In addition to more sensible connectivity, Khadas has installed Intel's Meteor Lake processors. Ultimately, this also improves the overall performance. The topic of connectivity is important when it comes to the sheer number of interfaces, as these are very few in number. However, with Thunderbolt and USB4, you can choose from a wide range of accessories from third-party manufacturers to cover up any missing connections. If you have the necessary change, you can also use the manufacturer's proprietary accessories. This has one major advantage: the Mind-Link port on the underside provides an extremely fast connection and there is even an external graphics card dock with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti in the manufacturer's portfolio.

The Khadas Mind 2 impresses with its appearance and workmanship. Improvements include the new Intel Meteor Lake processors and better connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.

The Mind is available directly from Khadas. The cheapest device with Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD starts at 799 US dollars. Our test configuration with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD costs 1,099 US dollars, although the top model Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 64 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD costs 1,399 US dollars. The entry-level model can also be ordered for as little as 850 euros from Amazon Germany.

The Geekom XT13 Pro succeeds the Geekom XT12 Pro and gets a little more power with the Intel Core i9-13900H. Geekom uses 32 GB DDR4 RAM for the RAM, although the SSD offers plenty of storage space with 2 TB. Geekom remains true to itself in terms of connectivity and equips the small PC with many interfaces. Even USB4 is included. Based on the Intel NUC series, which has since been taken over by Asus, the Geekom XT13 Pro is similar to the Intel NUC Vivid Canyon. The build quality is comparable and the choice of materials is also identical. Visually, the Geekom XT13 Pro looks very elegant thanks to the white and silver elements.

The Geekom XT13 Pro delivers adequate performance with the Intel Core i9-13900H and impresses with its versatile features. However, the price-performance ratio of the Geekom XT13 Pro does not match up at all.

The Geekom XT13 Pro is available in two versions. Our test configuration can be ordered from Geekom or Amazon Germany. The price is 999 euros in both cases.

The Geekom GT13 Pro is a minimalist powerhouse and is equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900H. The Geekom GT13 Pro impressed us with its impeccable build quality and high-quality choice of materials. Due to its compactness, the device can only be equipped with an additional SSD internally. However, with 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD, the Geekom GT13 Pro is already quite well equipped ex works. Externally, the small PC offers many connection options and with two USB4 ports, the range of applications of the mini PC can be expanded enormously.

The Geekom GT13 Pro is a stylish, powerful mini PC and impresses with its great features. Unfortunately, the pricing does not quite match the performance of the Geekom GT13 Pro.

The Geekom GT13 Pro can be ordered in our test configuration from Geekom or Amazon Germany at 949 euros.