Taking the Minisforum EliteMini AI370 out of the field, I believed “oh nice, one other silver field of a mini PC.” However little did I do know that it was going to be a improbable powerhouse that may step toe-to-toe with the best mini PCs proper now — the M4 Mac mini.
The apparent motive is what’s being rocked underneath the hood with that AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which brings sturdy efficiency and spectacular graphical prowess, alongside that enormous NPU for on-board AI duties. However actually, the AI isn’t actually the superpower right here, as that combo of optimized processing cores and built-in graphics does imply it might put up a good battle with the M4.
On high of that, versatility is on the core of this method — a ton of ports for all of your connectivity, a small, light-weight dimension and a VESA mounting bracket included to cover it around the again of your TV.
However there are a pair points right here. The all-plastic physique can really feel somewhat low cost to the contact, all of the energetic cooling to maintain every part at 100% does imply the followers can kick up somewhat loud, and that $1,399 worth does put it into some harmful territory.
By harmful, I imply the very same worth because the M4 Professional Mac mini. You’re principally getting only a contact extra energy than customary M4 however on the similar worth as its superior mannequin that does beat the AI370 in each performance-based metric.
So let me break it down like this. If you’re a fully-invested Home windows person and also you need an excellent Mac mini lookalike with the horsepower besides, that is the one to purchase. However simply be 100% certain about that selection, as I don’t need you to get purchaser’s regret for not going Apple’s means.
Minisforum AI370: Cheat Sheet
- What’s it? This can be a Copilot+ Mini PC — a small desktop packing the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
- Who’s it for? That is for the gang who don’t desire a big tower on their desk however don’t wanna quit that zippy efficiency with one thing too dinky. Good both in a small dwelling workplace or as a lounge PC.
- What does it price? You possibly can snag one for $1,399 (currently on offer at the more reasonably-priced $1,099).
- What will we like? In a desktop PC, AMD’s new AI chip performs some mini wonders on the subject of productiveness and informal gaming efficiency, the wealth of ports means you’re not left wanting on the subject of connectivity, and the design is constructed with versatility in thoughts to cover away in any setup.
- What don’t we like? Followers can kick up a little bit of a storm, the plastic casing feels somewhat low cost to the contact, and at $1,399, that is greater than double the value of its major competitors within the M4 Mac mini.
Minisforum EliteMini AI370: Specs
| Worth | $1,399 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB |
| Ports | 1x USB4, 4x USB 3.2 Kind-A, 2x 2.5 GB Ethernet, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimension | 5.1 x 5 x 1.9 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
Minisforum EliteMini AI370: The ups
The Minisforum EliteMini AI370 definitely has so much going for it because the Home windows equal to the M4 Mac mini.
Mini however mighty
Once I bought my first time with AMD’s new chip within the Asus Zenbook S 16, I used to be impressed by its efficiency (notably that it is a graphical powerhouse). However its x86 processing did take away a few of its brownie factors in energy effectivity.
Nevertheless, packed right into a small desktop machine just like the AI370, that’s now not an issue, and I can really admire what it is able to. In truth, in some methods, it is a little quicker than the present king within the M4 Mac mini.
| Mini PC | Geekbench 6 single-core | Geekbench 6 multicore | Handbrake (time transcoding 4k video to 1080p) | SSD pace (write) |
| Minisforum EliteMini AI370 | 2,894 | 14,964 | 3:52 | 2,517.2 MB/s |
| M4 Mac mini | 3,838 | 14,838 | 4:42 | 3017.3 MB/s |
It doesn’t matter what I threw at it, this method capably held its personal by way of with blistering pace when multitasking, throwing a fancy RAW photograph edit at it, even taking part in video games. Built-in graphics have been only for the informal gamer previously. However supplied you hone the settings, you will get respectable 1080p efficiency out of a number of AAA titles (for instance, Forza Horizon 5 can run at a easy 60 FPS).
Make no mistake about it. For my day-to-day (which might get fairly intensive) that is the quickest mini PC I’ve personally examined.
A fountain of ports
Picture 1 of 2
No stinginess may be discovered with the number of ports on the Minisforum AI370 — successfully positioned for respectable cable administration on a desk. Multi-monitor help is a cinch with HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.0 spherical again, and if you wish to go for the triple array, the USB4 up entrance can provide you that with the best of ease.
It makes this desktop impressively versatile for no matter use case you’ve. Whether or not it’s utilizing the HDMI to wire this as much as probably the greatest TVs for a lounge PC, or popping this into your private home workplace setup for peak productiveness.
One tweak I’d in all probability ask for is that whereas having two twin ethernet ports is nice for workplace settings that require increased ranges of community safety. However it wouldn’t go amiss for almost all if one in every of these was changed with an SD card slot.
Versatility as customary
And that adaptability doesn’t simply begin and cease on the ports. Its easy, utilitarian design does greater than you assume — packing plenty of use instances inside its squared off form.
| Mini PC | Dimensions | Weight |
| Minisforum EliteMini AI370 | 5.1 x 5 x 1.9 inches | 1 pound |
| M4 Mac mini | 5 x 5 x 2 inches | 1.5 kilos |
On a desk, it’s minimal sufficient to only sink away unnoticed. However you additionally get a full VESA mounting bracket with screws within the field. Which means that if you happen to needed to cover it even higher, you may completely achieve this by screwing it onto the again of your monitor. It’s nearly like a DIY all-in-one PC!
Minisforum EliteMini AI370: The downs
One in every of these issues is seemingly unavoidable, whereas the opposite two simply appear to be odd selections that Minisforum has made.
A bit noisy
On one hand, that is excellent news. With the energetic SSD cooling and big fan pushing chilly air by way of the machine, you may be relaxation assured that the sustained efficiency is assured. However to take action, underneath heavy hundreds, you’ll discover a loud, excessive pitched fan whine because it spins away. In notably quiet moments of no matter you could be binge watching, this might get somewhat annoying.
In fact, if you happen to’ve bought the knowhow, you may check out altering the fan curve with out impacting the efficiency of the machine. However out-the-box, anticipate to show your audio system as much as block out the followers.
Plastic improbable
That utilitarian aesthetic might look good and minimal to the attention, however the light-weight construct has so much to do with the truth that there isn’t a single little bit of steel to the body. There’s no two methods round it — the plastic shell encasing all these internals feels low cost to the contact with that telltale scratchiness and hollowness to its texture.
It ought to come as no shock that I’d have a lot most popular an aluminum case right here to offer it a extra upmarket really feel. Particularly once you take note of the value of this method.
The value is (not so) proper
So if this was priced somewhat nearer to the $599 price of the M4 Mac mini, I’d be somewhat extra favorable right here. Given it has double the RAM and nearly 4x the quantity of SSD storage (alongside a ton extra ports), I’d’ve understood something as much as $999 as a suitable worth.
However $1,399? That’s dicey territory, as a result of it’s the identical worth because the M4 Professional Mac mini — a far superior chip in key efficiency metrics. By that time, the choice of whether or not to purchase this machine comes all the way down to choice of OS.
It appears bizarre that I’m speaking about computer systems and saying that Apple of all corporations presents higher worth for cash.
Minisforum EliteMini AI370: Verdict
Deciding whether or not or to not purchase the Mainsforum EliteMini AI370 is a difficult one to make within the shadow of Apple’s Mac mini. However if you happen to do go down the Home windows route, this is likely one of the greatest you will get.
With AMD’s horsepower working by way of its veins, it is a speedy machine with loads of connectivity to work its means into any setup you see match. It’s nice for hiding right into a desk setup with its VESA-adaptability, and its minimalist design makes it match nicely underneath any TV as a lounge PC too.
You’ve simply bought to decide on between this and the macOS mini PC. Let me attempt to determine this out:
- You probably have plenty of Home windows apps and video games: Get this one. It’s the higher selection in the long term.
- You probably have room for flexibility: Take into account the Mac mini. The $599 mannequin is just somewhat slower in sure areas.
