Five Early 2026 Mini PCs: From a Cheap Core i3 to an ARM Platform with 24 TOPS

Five Early 2026 Mini PCs: From a Cheap Core i3 to an ARM Platform with 24 TOPS

This roundup covers several mini PCs released in early 2026 that differ noticeably in intended use. There is a budget model for basic tasks, compact systems on new Intel Lunar Lake processors, more powerful Ryzen AI options, and even a pyramid-shaped ARM platform with a neural processor. What unites all of them is the compact form factor, but in terms of capabilities they are completely different machines. So, let’s take a look at all of them.

GMK NucBox G3 Pro — an affordable mini PC with Intel® Core® i3

The GMK NucBox G3 Pro is a compact and relatively inexpensive mini PC based on the Intel® Core® i3-10110U processor. It is positioned as a simple and versatile computer for everyday tasks: media consumption, light office work, and basic home or office use where high performance is not required. The G3 Pro stands out for its low price and standard port selection while still being powerful enough for most undemanding scenarios.

The chassis is genuinely tiny, almost palm-sized. This mini PC is based on Comet Lake, which is no longer cutting-edge by modern standards. Even so, it handles routine tasks confidently: a browser with multiple tabs, office documents, video content, and everyday apps all run without noticeable slowdowns. Its connectivity, ports, and upgrade options are standard for a mini PC at this level, so it is more of a choice for someone who needs an inexpensive, compact desktop than for anyone seeking a gaming or heavy workstation machine.

Specifications:

  • Processor: Intel® Core® i3-10110U (two performance cores and two efficiency cores)
  • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics (integrated)
  • Memory: DDR4-3200, up to 16 GB (depending on configuration)
  • Storage: M.2 slot for NVMe SSD (usually one drive)
  • Ports: HDMI, USB-C, multiple USB-A, RJ-45 Ethernet, 3.5 mm audio
  • Networking: Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth

The G3 Pro went on sale in early 2026.

Beelink SER10 Max — a mini PC with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470

The Beelink SER10 Max is a powerful mini PC that uses the modern AMD RyzenTM AI 9 HX 470 processor. Unlike “office” machines, it is aimed at heavier workloads: AI applications, large data processing, and multimedia projects.

The HX 470 combines 12 cores and 24 threads, powerful integrated graphics, and an NPU rated at 55 TOPS. This kind of performance is rarely seen in compact boxed PCs without stepping all the way up to actively cooled desktop-class systems. Beelink offers multiple configurations for memory and storage, so the device can be tailored to different scenarios, from a serious workstation to a home media server.

The SER10 Max follows Beelink’s usual approach: a small, understated chassis without flashy design, but with a solid port selection and room for expansion. Support for a modern set of interfaces and networking modules makes it convenient both at the office and at home.

Specifications:

  • Processor: AMD RyzenTM AI 9 HX 470 (12 cores, 24 threads, NPU ~55 TOPS)
  • Graphics: integrated Radeon (RDNA family)
  • Memory: up to 96 GB DDR5
  • Storage: up to 2× PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Ports: USB-C / USB4, multiple USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet LAN, 3.5 mm audio
  • Networking: Wi‑Fi 6 / 6E, Bluetooth
  • Cooling: active

The Beelink SER10 Max was announced in early 2026. Exact pricing depends on the memory and storage configuration, but entry-level versions with moderate specs start at roughly $450–$600, while top-end builds with 64–96 GB of RAM rise to around $1,000.

Geekom A9 Max — a mini PC with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 as a workstation and AI platform

The Geekom A9 Max is a compact mini PC based on the AMD RyzenTM AI 9 HX 370 processor. This chip combines a many-core CPU, strong integrated graphics, and an accelerator for AI workloads.

The A9 Max has a relatively small and tidy enclosure, yet there is enough room inside for M.2 SSD storage and system memory. That makes it possible to configure the PC for different tasks, from everyday work with documents and browsers to heavier compute jobs, including ones that use the AI hardware built into the processor. It does not take up much space at all.

Specifications:

  • Processor: AMD RyzenTM AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores / 24 threads)
  • Graphics: integrated Radeon (RDNA family)
  • NPU: up to 50 TOPS
  • Memory: up to 96 GB DDR5
  • Storage: up to 2× PCIe NVMe SSD
  • Ports: USB-C / USB4, multiple USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet LAN, 3.5 mm audio
  • Networking: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth
  • Cooling: active

The Geekom A9 Max is offered in several configurations, starting at roughly $450–$500 for versions with less memory and SSD capacity. More powerful variants, such as those with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB NVMe SSD, rise closer to $600–$700 depending on the retailer and region.

M5Stack AI Pyramid — a pyramid-shaped mini PC focused on local AI

The M5Stack AI Pyramid is a mini PC in a pyramid-shaped enclosure. It certainly looks unusual, but inside the concept is straightforward enough. The device uses an ARM-based Axera AX8850 chip with eight Cortex-A55 cores and an integrated neural processor delivering about 24 TOPS. This is not a universal desktop computer so much as a compact platform for local AI tasks, such as computer vision, video processing, and neural network inference without relying on the cloud.

In essence, it is a ready-made compute module with a decent port selection: two HDMI outputs for video, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, several USB ports, a microSD slot, and integrated audio hardware. There is a small screen for status information and RGB lighting as well. The device is meant for developers, integrators, and people building local AI systems for smart-home or video-analytics projects.

Specifications:

  • Processor: Axera AX8850, 8× Cortex-A55
  • NPU: up to 24 TOPS
  • Memory: 4 or 8 GB LPDDR4x
  • Storage: 32 GB eMMC + microSD
  • Video: 2× HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K 60 Hz)
  • Ports: 4× USB-A 3.0, 2× USB-C, 2× Gigabit Ethernet
  • Audio: built-in speaker and microphone array
  • Cooling: active
  • Dimensions: about 104 × 104 × 59 mm
  • Weight: about 195 g

CHUWI AuBox X1 — a mini PC with Intel® Core® Ultra 5 226V and a Copilot focus

The CHUWI AuBox X1 is a compact mini PC based on the Intel® Core® Ultra 5 226V mobile processor from the Lunar Lake family. The device is positioned as a universal desktop computer for work, multimedia, and light creative tasks, with support for Copilot features.

The key feature of the AuBox X1 is its combination of a modern energy-efficient chip and a small chassis that can be placed easily on a desk or behind a monitor. The Ultra 5 processor family provides enough cores for day-to-day workloads and integrated graphics capable of handling basic graphics work, video, and light gaming. That makes the system interesting for users who want a compact PC for office work or study but are not ready to pay extra for more powerful models with discrete graphics.

The AuBox X1 follows the standard mini PC formula, with a sensible selection of ports and networking modules. It is not a pyramid like the previous device. Support for a modern operating system and current interfaces allows it to be used as a main desktop system without a pile of adapters and dongles. Overall, it is a balanced PC for users who care about compact size, energy efficiency, and an up-to-date Intel platform.

Specifications:

  • Processor: Intel® Core® Ultra 5 226V (Lunar Lake)
  • Graphics: integrated Intel Arc
  • Memory: DDR5 (maximum depends on configuration)
  • Storage: support for M.2 NVMe SSD
  • Ports: USB-C / USB4, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet LAN, 3.5 mm audio
  • Networking: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth
  • Cooling: active
  • Extra: Copilot / Windows AI integration

The CHUWI AuBox X1 is offered at about $350–$400 for the base configuration, depending on memory and SSD capacity. More advanced versions with larger RAM and storage are priced at about $450–$550 depending on the store and region.

mpcdb.com is the Mini PC Database, created to help users find, compare, and research compact computers in one place. The site is a useful resource for anyone looking for the best mini PC 2026 models, with organized information about specifications, performance, features, and pricing. As an Ultimate Mini PC Guide USA, mpcdb.com makes it easier to compare different mini PCs for home, office, business, media, and everyday use. Instead of searching across many websites, visitors can quickly review and evaluate multiple options in one database. mpcdb.com is built to simplify the process of choosing the right mini PC by presenting clear comparisons and helpful details for the USA market.