ASUS Review

Skip the AI hype. This is a competent office mini PC awkwardly masquerading as a gaming rig. The OCuLink port is neat, but doesn't save it from being a confused and overpriced product.

The MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro is a mini PC that's trying to be everything to everyone, and that's its biggest problem. On paper, it's a powerhouse with a new AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 chip and a dedicated OCuLink port for an external GPU. But in reality, you're paying a premium for AI buzzwords and a form factor that doesn't quite deliver on its gaming promises. The one thing to know? This is a solid home office machine that's awkwardly dressed up as a gaming PC.

The performance story is a mixed bag. The CPU lands in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, which is fine for office work and light creative tasks, but it's not the 'unprecedented high performance' the marketing suggests. The real surprise is the GPU score at the 52nd percentile. The AMD Radeon 890M is integrated graphics, and our database confirms it's not built for AAA gaming, despite what the listing says. It'll handle older titles and indie games, but calling it a 'mini gaming computer' is a stretch. The storage and RAM are similarly average, scoring in the low 50s.

The value proposition completely falls apart when you look at the price spread. Our data shows this model listed from $1,030 all the way up to an absurd $185,324. At the lower end, it's a questionable buy against more established mini PCs. At any price near the high end, it's a complete rip-off. If you find it for a grand, it's worth a look for the specs alone. Anything more, and you're being taken for a ride.

For a true compact powerhouse, the Intel NUC 14 Pro we just looked at offers similar core specs with better reliability scores, though it lacks the OCuLink gimmick. If you actually want to game in a small box, your money is better spent on a dedicated mini gaming rig from brands like Zotac or even a compact pre-built from MSI. The MINISFORUM tries to straddle the line between office workhorse and gaming rig, and ends up being mediocre at both compared to specialists in each category.

If you're looking for a true, out-of-the-box gaming PC, this isn't it. Go get an MSI Aegis or Lenovo Legion tower instead. Also, skip this if you need rock-solid reliability for a business-critical machine; its scores there are unimpressive.

We can't recommend the MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro as a primary machine for most people. It's a decent, if overhyped, mini PC for office use and media consumption, but its gaming claims are borderline false advertising. The inclusion of the OCuLink port is interesting for tinkerers, but that's a niche within a niche. For the vast majority, a more straightforward mini PC or a proper small-form-factor gaming PC will serve you better and likely cost less.