Ranking: The best office mini-PCs reviewed by Notebookcheck

The M4 Pro-powered Mac Mini combines cutting-edge technology, energy efficiency and minimalist design in a compact PC. With the new M4 Pro chip, equipped with 12 CPU cores (8 performance and 4 efficiency cores) as well as a 16-core or 20-core iGPU, the machine delivers impressive performance for demanding applications, whether it's 4K or 8K video editing, software development or heavy multitasking.

Thanks to the ARM-based CPU architecture, the system scores with exceptional energy efficiency. Energy consumption is minimal when idling and the Mini does not become power-hungry under higher load, either, making it ideal for continuous use. This is supported by an almost ingenious cooling system, which makes little noise no matter the use case.

With up to 64 GB of unified memory and ultra-fast SSD storage options, this Mac offers impressive grunt for anything. That being said, its mostly soldered-in components contribute to its compact design but take away user-upgradability. Users should therefore plan for the future when picking an SKU.

The compact housing made from recycled aluminum blends seamlessly into any working environment. In addition to three Thunderbolt 5 ports, the Mac Mini also offers HDMI, RJ45 and a 3.5 mm jack output, making it versatile enough.

The M4 chip-powered Mac Mini is the latest offering in Apple's compact desktop computer line, bringing significant performance improvements over the previous-gen Mini. The system can drive up to three 6K displays and is available with 16 GB to 64 GB of RAM. It is suitable for demanding creative applications, data analysis and modern gaming, among other tasks. It is also Apple's first CO₂-neutral Mac, made from recycled materials and developed with sustainable production and packaging techniques in mind.

The base SKU starts at 699 euros in Germany, while the M4 Pro variant is available from 1,649 euros.

The Khadas Mind Pro is a particularly compact mini PC that offers impressive performance despite its small size. Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, fast RAM and modern Intel Arc Graphics, the system offers sufficient reserves for demanding everyday tasks, productive workloads and even light gaming. The mini PC not only impresses with its strong performance, but also with its outstanding energy efficiency.

One highlight is the modular concept: optional accessories such as the Mind Dock, the Graphics Dock or the planned Mind xPlay allow the range of functions to be significantly expanded. This makes the Mind Pro suitable both as a classic desktop replacement and as a flexible work platform.

Despite its compact design, the device impresses with its high-quality workmanship, quiet operation and practical features such as the integrated battery for standby and brief use without a power supply unit. There are limitations in terms of upgradeability, as many components are permanently installed, as well as the comparatively high price. Overall, however, the Khadas Mind Pro is one of the most exciting mini PC solutions for users looking for performance, flexibility and a well thought-out ecosystem.

The Khadas Mind Pro can be pre-ordered from the manufacturer at for 1,799 US dollars can be pre-ordered from the manufacturer.

The A9 Max is a powerful, yet compact mini-PC with a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 that's based on the efficient Zen 5 architecture. With 12 CPU cores, the fast Radeon 890M iGPU, up to 128-GB DDR5 RAM and a fast 2-TB SSD, as tested, it delivers excellent performance both in everyday use and computing-intensive applications, including games (at 1080p or less).

Connectivity is impressive with six USB-A ports, two USB 4 ports, two HDMI outputs and an SD card reader, making a multi-monitor workplace easy to set up.

Geekom's A9 Max is available either from Amazon.de or directly from the Geekom online store. Price: around 1,000 euros.

The Minisforum AI X1 Pro version with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 is a powerful mini PC with modern features. In addition to the latest APU, a Radeon 890M iGPU and an integrated NPU for AI-supported applications are used, providing additional computing power for corresponding workloads. In combination with DDR5 RAM and a fast PCIe SSD, this results in high overall system performance.

A special feature remains the OCuLink interface, which can be used to connect an external graphics card to significantly increase graphics performance. Stable performance is ensured by the cooling system with two fans and heat pipes, which dissipates waste heat efficiently and works comparatively quietly.

The AI X1 Pro is also well positioned in terms of connectivity: Several USB4 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort and 2.5 Gbit/s LAN offer versatile connection options. The compact housing combines a modern design with a functional construction. Another positive feature is the integrated power supply unit, which means no external adapter is required. The features are complemented by integrated speakers, which deliver solid sound quality for a mini PC. Despite the high performance, the energy requirement remains at a moderate level compared to classic desktop systems.

The AI X1 is a compact mini-PC featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 255, fast DDR5 RAM and a PCIe 4.0 SSD. The system is equally suitable for productivity work, media consumption and light casual gaming, with the integrated Radeon graphics providing sufficient grunt for typical applications and basic (or older) games.

The machine's well-designed cooling solution is particularly noteworthy, ensuring temperatures are kept at bay with pleasantly low noise levels even under continuous load. In addition, the AI X1 boasts modern connectivity with USB 4, dual LAN and the ability to drive several screens simultaneously. Minor issues such as average SSD performance hardly hurt the overall impression.

The ExpertCenter PN54 with AMD's Ryzen AI 7 350 proved to be a compact and versatile mini-PC in Notebookcheck tests. The Zen 5-architecture CPU and its Radeon 860M integrated graphics unit handle everyday applications as well as certain more demanding tasks well, while the integrated Ryzen AI NPU opens up additional possibilities for AI-supported workflows.

This is a well-made mini-PC, and its housing tends to be pleasantly quiet and cool despite packing plenty of performance. The range of ports is also impressive for multi-monitor setups with a wide range of peripherals connected.

Sapphire's Edge AI marks the brand's re-entry into the mini PC market, impressing with modern Ryzen chips, compact design and good everyday performance. Despite its small dimensions, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 delivers a lot of computing power, supported by a powerful iGPU and a fast NPU for AI tasks.

USB 4 expands the possibilities, making it possible to use external GPUs among other options, and the machine's energy consumption is relatively low. Its casing materials aren't very premium and cooling can be a bit loud when under computational load. Overall, however, the Edge AI is a nice system for users looking for a small, efficient and AI-enabled mini-PC.

The Geekom A9 Max is one of the manufacturer's most powerful mini PCs and is based on the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 with Radeon 890M iGPU. Together with 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 2 TB SSD, the compact system offers plenty of performance for productive applications, multimedia and AI-supported tasks. Processing and connectivity are at a high level, even if modern features such as OCuLink or USB4 v2 are missing. The RAM configuration of the test device is the main point of criticism, as the built-in single-channel memory noticeably slows down the performance of the CPU and iGPU. The 3D performance in particular lags behind the hardware's capabilities. However, the performance level can be significantly improved with a second RAM module. The moderate power consumption and the comparatively low noise level under load are also positive.

The Geekom A7 Max is a powerful mini PC that offers high performance despite its compact dimensions. Geekom only offers the A7 Max with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS in combination with 16 GB DDR5 RAM. The mini PC masters everyday tasks without any problems, although the RAM configuration prevents better performance. In terms of connectivity, the mini PC is modern, with fast WLAN, Bluetooth, USB4 and 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet, making it well equipped for current and future requirements. In terms of price, the Geekom A7 Max is positioned in the upper segment and is available via Amazon and the Geekom online store.