MINISFORUM MINISFORUM AI X1 PRO Mini Desktop Computer Review
The Minisforum AI X1 Pro crams AMD's latest AI processor into a tiny box. It's powerful for specific tasks, but its weak graphics make it a niche pick.
The 30-Second Version
The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a niche mini PC built for local AI work, not gaming. Its 32GB RAM and new Ryzen AI chip are highlights, but the integrated graphics are a major weak spot. Only worth it if you need its specific AI capabilities.
Overview
The Minisforum AI X1 Pro is a tiny desktop that's laser-focused on one thing: local AI workloads. It packs AMD's new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip with a claimed 80 TOPS of AI processing power into a 1.5kg box, alongside 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. It's not a gaming rig or a general-purpose powerhouse, but for developers and tinkerers who want to run AI models on their desk without a massive tower, it's a fascinating proposition.
Performance
The CPU is decent for general use, landing in the 65th percentile in our database, and the 32GB of RAM is a standout feature in the 82nd percentile. The integrated Radeon 890M graphics, however, are the clear bottleneck for anything visual. With a GPU score in the 8th percentile, this thing is not for gaming or serious content creation. It's built to crunch AI numbers, not render frames.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Huge 32GB of RAM for the form factor. 85th
- Tons of high-speed ports, including USB4 and OCuLink. 79th
- The new Ryzen AI chip is purpose-built for local AI tasks. 75th
- Extremely compact and portable for a desktop. 71th
Cons
- Integrated graphics are very weak for gaming or creative work. 12th
- Reliability scores in our database are low (20th percentile). 19th
- You're paying a premium for the niche AI silicon.
- No room for internal upgrades beyond the SSD.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| Cores | 80 |
| Frequency | 2.0 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | 890M |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM Type | System Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Build
| Form Factor | Mini |
| PSU | 135 |
| Weight | 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs |
Connectivity
| HDMI | 1x HDMI 2.1 Input/Output1x DisplayPort 2.0 Input/Output |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Ethernet | 2.5Gbps Ethernet |
System
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
At around $1,168, you're paying for cutting-edge, specialized silicon in a small package. Compared to a similarly priced gaming desktop, you get worse graphics but potentially better AI performance. The value hinges entirely on how much you need that local AI horsepower. If you don't, you can get a much more well-rounded PC for the money.
vs Competition
This isn't really competing with the HP Omen or Alienware towers—those are gaming beasts. A closer match is something like the Asus ROG NUC, another compact powerhouse. The X1 Pro bets everything on AMD's new AI NPU, while others might offer better all-around CPU and GPU performance. If you want a small PC for general use, an Intel NUC or a mini PC with a discrete mobile GPU might be a smarter buy. This one is for a very specific audience.
| Spec | MINISFORUM MINISFORUM AI X1 PRO Mini Desktop Computer | HP OMEN HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop, Intel Core Ultra 7 | MSI MSI EdgeXpert-11SUS AI Supercomputer | Dell Dell Tower Plus Desktop Computer | Lenovo T Series Towers Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 (30L AMD) 90YJ001LUS | Apple Mac Studio Apple - Mac Studio - M3 Ultra - 1TB SSD - Silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | NVIDIA GB | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | AMD Ryzen 7 7700X | Apple M3 Ultra |
| RAM (GB) | 32 | 32 | 128 | 32 | 32 | 96 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 2048 | 4096 | 1024 | 2048 | 1000 |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics 890M | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | Apple M3 Ultra 60-core |
| Form Factor | Mini | Desktop | Mini | Tower | Tower | - |
| Psu W | 135 | 850 | 240 | 750 | 850 | - |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | NVIDIA DGX OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Can this PC run games?
Not really. Its integrated Radeon 890M graphics score in the 8th percentile, so you'll be stuck with low settings on older titles. It's not built for gaming.
Q: Is the 32GB of RAM enough for AI work?
For many local AI models and development tasks, 32GB is a great starting point and a standout feature for a mini PC.
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM or GPU?
No. The RAM is soldered, and there's no slot for a discrete graphics card. What you buy is what you get.
Who Should Skip This
Gamers and creative pros should skip this immediately. The graphics simply aren't up to the task. Also, if you just want a reliable, general-purpose mini PC for the home office, our data shows reliability is a concern here, and you can find less specialized options.
Verdict
Buy this only if you're a developer, researcher, or hobbyist who specifically wants to experiment with local AI and large language models on your desk. The form factor and RAM are great, but the weak graphics and niche focus make it a hard sell for anyone else.