Geekom’s A9 Max leads a clear trend in 2026: mini PCs are no longer novelty boxes for basic browsing — they’re legitimate desktop replacements that pack laptop-class H‑series silicon, on‑package NPUs for local AI, and surprising upgradeability into compact, VESA‑mountable chassis.
Background / Overview
The mini PC segment has evolved from low‑power “stick” and early NUC‑class curios into a multi‑lane market that serves everything from cost‑conscious home offices to space‑constrained game rigs and even AI‑focused development machines. Modern minis now commonly include mobile H‑series APUs/CPUs, NPUs (neural processing units) suitable for Copilot+‑style on‑device acceleration, USB4/Thunderbolt‑class ports, and multi‑gig Ethernet — features that used to belong only to larger towers.
This article synthesizes the PCMag Australia roundup and independent verification notes into a single, practical guide for WindowsForum readers. I summarize the major picks, verify headline claims where possible, and offer critical analysis — including the strengths and the real risks buyers must weigh before swapping a mid‑tower for a pocketable box.
How the 2026 mini PC field shapes up
Mini PCs in 2026 broadly fall into these practical categories:
- Ultra‑compact office and kiosk units: tiny, low‑power systems for signage and basic productivity.
- Laptop‑class performance minis: systems using mobile H‑series APUs/CPUs that can act as everyday desktops.
- Gaming and creator minis: small chassis with laptop‑grade discrete GPUs or pathways to external GPUs.
- AI‑ready minis: systems with integrated NPUs that accelerate on‑device models and Copilot+ features.
Vendors like Geekom, Asus (the NUC brand), MSI, Lenovo, and Framework represent key approaches: Geekom emphasizes value and upgradeability in small form; Asus targets gamers and pros; MSI and Lenovo lean into quiet, business‑focused designs; Framework stands out for modularity and repairability.
The standout models and what they really offer
Geekom A9 Max — Best Windows mini overall (what the claim means)
PCMag’s top Windows pick, the
Geekom A9 Max, earns that slot because it combines a high‑end Ryzen AI HX‑series APU, a substantive on‑package NPU, and
user‑accessible upgrade paths (SO‑DIMMs and dual NVMe), all inside a Mac‑mini‑sized metal chassis. That three‑way mix — CPU power, AI acceleration, and upgradeability — is the rare sweet spot for a Windows mini.
What’s verified:
- Top SKUs ship with an AMD Ryzen AI HX‑series APU (vendor lists and hands‑on coverage concur).
- The platform supports DDR5 SO‑DIMMs (typical retail SKUs ship with 32GB and can be expanded).
- Vendors market an on‑package NPU (XDNA‑based) with a 50 TOPS figure and an advertised aggregate AI throughput near ~77–80 TOPS — numbers repeated across manufacturer pages and reviews, but see the caution below.
Why that matters: Microsoft’s Copilot+ guidance generally treats NPUs in the 40+ TOPS class as meaningful for a broad set of local Copilot features, so the A9 Max lands in the right ballpark for on‑device model acceleration. But
TOPS is only part of the story — effective inference performance depends on memory bandwidth, driver maturity, quantization, and software stacks. Treat vendor TOPS as directional, not definitive.
Asus ROG NUC (ROG NUC with Core Ultra 9 + RTX 5070 Ti) — Best for space‑strapped gamers
Asus’s ROG NUC compresses a laptop‑grade Intel Core Ultra 9 (275HX class) and a mobile GeForce RTX 5070 Ti into an exceptionally compact gaming puck. It’s expensive, but it delivers strong 1080p and 1440p frame rates and — in select titles — workable 4K performance. Small‑form thermals and limited upgradability are the tradeoffs.
What to expect for gamers:
- Laptop‑class RTX mobile GPUs will run most modern titles at high settings at 1080p and 1440p.
- Thermals will drive sustained performance below a full‑size tower with a desktop GPU; expect occasional throttling in extended sessions.
- Internal upgrades are limited; if you want future‑proofing, plan for external storage and careful peripheral choices.
Asus NUC 15 Pro+ — Best for professionals and SMBs
Asus’s NUC 15 Pro+ continues the NUC lineage but targets business and workstation users: Core Ultra H‑series options, Wi‑Fi 7 support, Thunderbolt/USB4, VESA mountability, and serviceable warranties make it a robust choice for small offices. It’s a conservative, well‑rounded pick for those who want a compact, serviceable PC that works like a deskbound appliance.
MSI Cubi family (Cubi NUC 1M, Cubi NUC AI 2MG) — Quiet, secure business boxes
MSI’s Cubi models are appealing for quiet home offices and space‑squeezed workers. Select Cubi SKUs are shipped as Copilot+ PCs with Core Ultra silicon, fingerprint readers, and dual Ethernet — features that matter in managed environments or call centers. They’re not the fastest boxes, but they cover the office bases with low noise and broad I/O.
Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Ultra — Enterprise and small‑workstation option
Lenovo’s mini targets managed fleets and SMB IT buyers who need formal support, manageability, and optional RTX‑class discrete graphics in a small package. It’s a good fit for businesses that want the manageability of a tower (warranty, support contracts) without the footprint.
Geekom A6 and budget models — Best for cost‑conscious buyers
The Geekom A6 and GMKtec/GMK NucBox‑style minis demonstrate the budget end is healthy — DDR4 or Ryzen U/H‑series silicon with useful port sets, dual M.2 slots, and acceptable performance for everyday productivity and light creative work. For many users, a budget mini offers a better price‑to‑space trade than a laptop.
Framework Desktop — For tinkerers and modular fans
Not strictly a tiny puck, the
Framework Desktop deserves a special callout: it’s a small tower that prioritizes repairability and modularity and can be ordered with an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ processor and generous RAM ceilings. For people who like the mini form factor but refuse to give up upgrade paths, Framework is unmatched.
What PCMag’s testing and independent checks confirm (and where to be cautious)
- Confirmed: modern minis are using laptop‑class H‑series silicon, DDR5 SO‑DIMMs, dual NVMe slots, USB4/Thunderbolt, and multi‑gig Ethernet — features validated across multiple hands‑on reviews and vendor specs.
- Confirmed: some models now ship with NPUs sizable enough to enable on‑device Copilot+ experiences in principle; vendors advertise NPU TOPS numbers.
- Caution: vendor NPU TOPS figures are marketing‑friendly aggregates. Actual LLM/LLM‑inference performance depends on memory bandwidth, driver ecosystem, model quantization, and the software stack you use. Independent inference tests are the most reliable measurement; demand latency and throughput figures for the models you intend to run rather than accepting TOPS at face value.
- Caution: sustained performance is where minis reveal their limits. Many reviews use Cinebench and shorter benchmarks that show peak throughput; sustained multi‑hour renders or long gaming sessions reveal thermal throttling not obvious in single runs. PCMag-style testing emphasizes sustained workload verification for this reason.
Buying framework — how to choose the right mini PC for your needs
Below is a practical checklist and decision flow to shrink shopping friction.
Quick checklist (must‑verify on the product page or at retail)
- CPU/APU model and class: Is it an H‑series HX/H‑class mobile chip, a Core Ultra H‑series, or a U‑series low‑power chip?
- Memory: Are RAM modules soldered or in SO‑DIMM slots? What’s the max supported RAM and the stock configuration?
- Storage: How many NVMe M.2 slots (and sizes supported) and is a 2.5‑inch bay present?
- NPU/TOPS: If AI/copolot features matter, note vendor TOPS claims and ask for independent inference numbers for your target models.
- GPU: Integrated only, laptop‑class discrete mobile GPU, or support for an external GPU? Expect limited internal upgradeability if a discrete mobile chip is present.
- Ports & networking: Thunderbolt/USB4, HDMI/DisplayPort counts, 2.5GbE or multi‑Gig Ethernet, Wi‑Fi 6/6E/7 support, and Bluetooth version.
- Mounting & size: VESA mount included? Dimensions and weight if portability matters.
- Warranty/support: Business SKUs often include better warranty/onsite options.
- Noise & thermals: Vendor noise figures are helpful; read sustained workload tests for reality.
- OS/license: Does the unit ship with Windows 11 Pro/Home or is it barebones (no OS)? If barebones, factor in a Windows license cost.
Use‑case decision flow
- Need a quiet home‑office machine? Prioritize low‑TDP U‑series or quiet H‑series minis with verified noise tests (MSI Cubi is in this lane).
- Need a compact gaming box? Aim for laptop‑class discrete mobile GPUs (Asus ROG NUC) or mini chassis supporting eGPU/OCuLink. Expect higher cost and throttling tradeoffs.
- Want local AI/Copilot+ features? Choose units with NPUs rated 40+ TOPS and insist on real‑world inference latency tests. The Geekom A9 Max is a leading practical option here.
- Want maximum repairability and modularity? Framework Desktop remains the standout for tinkerers.
- Budget‑conscious but upgradeable? Look to GMKtec/Geekom lower tier models with dual M.2 slots and SO‑DIMM support.
Technical deep dive: CPUs, NPUs, and graphics in mini PCs
CPUs — mobile vs desktop mindset
Mini PCs predominantly use
mobile‑class CPUs (U/H/HX series). The suffix indicates expected thermal envelope and performance: “U” = low power, “H/HX” = high performance. Core Ultra family (Intel) and AMD’s Ryzen AI/HX lines dominate the recent wave. Desktop chips still appear in some small towers but not in the ultra‑compact pucks. If you need sustained multi‑threaded workstation workloads, a desktop tower or a mini that accommodates discrete desktop GPUs remains the safer choice.
NPUs and TOPS — what to watch for
- TOPS is a raw throughput metric and useful for rough class comparisons, but not the full story.
- Real‑world model throughput depends on software, matrix‑multiply efficiency, memory bandwidth, and quantization support (INT8/4/2).
- If you plan on running local LLMs or Copilot+ pipelines, request independent inference tests for your model (for example, a 7B or 13B quantized model) rather than relying solely on TOPS claims. The Geekom A9 Max’s marketed 50 TOPS NPU is class‑leading on paper but should be validated with per‑model latency numbers.
Graphics — integrated, mobile discrete, or external
- Integrated iGPUs (modern RDNA or Intel Xe/Arc variants) are now capable of smooth 1080p gaming and GPU‑accelerated creative tasks.
- Mini systems with laptop‑class discrete GPUs offer a meaningful step up but are constrained by thermal limits.
- For heavy GPU work (large 3D rendering, long 4K timelines, large‑scale GPU training), full‑size desktop GPUs or external GPU solutions remain preferable.
Risks, red flags, and vendor claims to challenge
- Soldered RAM in stock SKUs: sellers sometimes advertise “expandable” platforms but ship models with RAM soldered to the board; always verify the exact SKU.
- Over‑reliance on TOPS and synthetic scores: vendors love headline metrics; insist on real‑world tests for the workloads you intend to run.
- Warranty and support variations: smaller vendors offering aggressive specs may have shorter warranty windows or limited local support — factor repairability and RMA policies into your total cost of ownership.
- Throttling under sustained loads: mini PCs trade airflow and heatsink volume for size; expect lowered sustained performance compared with mid‑towers under long renders or extended gaming sessions.
Practical buying tips and a short shopping checklist
- Ask the retailer to confirm the exact SKU’s memory configuration (soldered vs SO‑DIMM) and whether both M.2 slots are populated or free.
- If AI features matter, ask for inference latency numbers on the model(s) you plan to run or look for independent inference benchmarks.
- Check for Thunderbolt/USB4 if you plan to add high‑speed external storage or eGPU docks.
- Confirm Wi‑Fi version — Wi‑Fi 7 is appearing but not ubiquitous; for office stability, multi‑gig wired Ethernet (2.5GbE) is often more important.
- If buying for a fleet, favor business SKUs with extended warranty and formal support options (Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Ultra is an example).
Quick recommendations by buyer profile
- Best overall Windows mini: Geekom A9 Max — best mix of CPU, NPU, and upgradeability in a Mac‑mini footprint (validate NPU claims for your models before buying).
- Best for gamers who need pocketable power: Asus ROG NUC (Core Ultra 9 + RTX 5070 Ti mobile) — top‑tier mobile GPU in a tiny chassis, but pricier and thermally constrained.
- Best for SMB/pros: Asus NUC 15 Pro+ — Core Ultra performance, Thunderbolt/USB4, Wi‑Fi 7, and business‑grade options.
- Best budget mini with upgradeability: GMKtec / Geekom A6 / GMKtec G10 family — solid port selection, dual M.2 support, and good value.
- Best for tinkerers: Framework Desktop — modular, repairable, and upgradable, with Ryzen AI Max+ options.
Final verdict — the practical bottom line
Mini PCs in 2026 are a compelling alternative to laptops and towers for many Windows users. For the first time, buyers can pick a tiny box that genuinely replaces a desktop for office work, mid‑range creative tasks, and even gaming — provided they understand the tradeoffs: thermal limits, limited GPU upgrade paths, and vendor metric variability (especially for NPUs).
If you want a compact, powerful Windows experience and the convenience of a VESA‑mounted, desk‑friendly system, the Geekom A9 Max and Asus’s latest NUC variants represent the upper echelon of what the form factor can achieve today. For budget or fleet purchases, GMKtec and MSI’s Cubi line balance price, ports, and upgradeability. And if hands‑on repairability or modular expansions matter most, Framework remains unmatched.
In all cases, do two things before you hit Buy: 1) verify the exact SKU’s memory and storage configuration, and 2) insist on real‑world workload or inference numbers if you plan to use the device for AI or sustained creative workloads. That simple verification will save surprises — and ensure your mini PC is an enabling tool, not a boxed compromise.
Conclusion: The mini PC era of 2026 gives Windows users genuine choices — from budget‑friendly, upgradeable boxes to pocketable gaming pucks and AI‑capable tiny workstations. Know your workload, verify the SKU, and buy the mini that matches what you actually do, not the headline metric that sounds best in marketing copy.
Source: PCMag Australia
The Best Windows Mini PCs for 2026