r/MiniPCs • u/katineko • 1d ago
Recommendations Thoughts on two mini PCs
So, I have been contemplating purchasing the Minisforum AI X1 Pro (370) for awhile now, but also have continued looking around to be sure that it's the best PC for me right now.
Today, I found the Minisforum M1 Pro 285H barebone version with the Intel Core Ultra 9 that's a little cheaper than the X1 Pro, and has most of the things I am looking for in a PC like the X1 Pro does. I did notice that the M1 Pro has a couple more models: the 125H, and just the M1 1295/1390. What is the latest processor between these models? And is the M1 Pro worth it over the AI X1 Pro? I do like how the M1 Pro is smaller, but the X1 Pro doesn't need a big power adapter as far as I know.
I've tried comparing them on Notebook Check and Versus, but wanted some opinions as well.
Any input would definitely be helpful! Thanks in advance!
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u/ZenithR9 1d ago
Intel generations go 13xx, 14xx, 1xx, 2xx but arguably since the 13th Gen performance is comparable but each generation is more efficient, 3xx is where things get interesting, especially on the iGPU side.
The 285h has better single core, but mostly par with the 370, the 370 has a better iGPU so I'd take the 370 box, with slotted ram it won't be as quick as soldered LPDDR5X but more upgradable, both have occulink so can add a GPU down the line, but Beelink has better eGPU support
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u/katineko 1d ago
So, basically, the AI X1 Pro would still be the better choice as far as processors go? Both have upgradeable DDR RAM. Is Minisforum very bad with eGPUs? I don't know how mucb I would use one, but is there a Beelink PC that is close to the AI X1 Pro?
Between the X1 Pro and M1 Pro, I'm also trying to determine which would have better cooling.
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u/ZenithR9 17h ago
It's like a 5-10% difference so not really noticeable, for VMs the AMD has more threads so I'd prefer that. Minisforum does ok for eGPUs, they use Occulink whereas Beelink goes a step above and uses a proprietary PCIe connection which is double the bandwidth their Beelink GTi15 Ultra series is most similar to what you are looking for, I think the dock works with GTi12 and up. Cooling should be fine, these are laptop chips with more juice in a metal box with a fan, I have a cheaper X1 AI lite which has same wattage and it never thermal throttles, can get hot, but I don't recall it getting loud.
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u/katineko 6h ago
This is all good to know. Does the Beelink GTi15 Ultra have a barebone version? I have also looked at the Geekom A9 Max, but haven't found a barebone version for that one yet. My budget is around that of the AI X1 Pro barebone and maybe the M1 Pro.
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u/Retired_Hillbilly336 1d ago
Depends on purpose. Even handicapped by SODIMM memory the 370 have the better Radeon 890M integrated graphics. But due the Zen 5c compact-cores it has weaker processing power.
https://www.reddit.com/r/eGPU/s/XcwcCdaBht