Best mini PCs for running AI models locally (2026)

With 128 GB of unified memory at 256 GB/s, the EVO-X2 holds every popular open model up to gpt-oss 120B, and at GMKtec’s September 2026 prices it is the least expensive 128 GB machine we found: $3,499.99 with 1 TB, or $3,649.99 with 2 TB. The same chip and memory cost $150 to $700 more from other brands. If you only need models up to about 35B, the 64 GB version is $2,199.99.

The M5 Max’s 614 GB/s is more than twice the bandwidth of the 128 GB mini PCs, which matters most for large dense models: we estimate 6 to 8 tokens per second for Llama 3.3 70B against 4 to 5 on a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, and published results for the M5 Max on our reference model beat our estimate. At $5,399 as configured on Apple’s store it is the most expensive pick, and it is technically a small desktop rather than a mini PC.

The DGX Spark writes at about the same speed as the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 machines, so don’t buy it for chat speed. Buy it if you develop AI software: it runs NVIDIA’s CUDA stack, reads long prompts several times faster in published llama.cpp results, and can be linked to a second unit over its 200 Gbps ConnectX-7 port. ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Acer and Gigabyte sell machines with the same GB10 chip, often with smaller drives, but prices vary widely, so compare.

Same chip and memory as the EVO-X2, with a full-length PCIe slot, 80 Gbps USB4 v2 ports and two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. That makes it the better base for adding a network card, fast external storage, or linking machines together. It is bigger and heavier, and $149 more than the EVO-X2 with 2 TB.

At 307 GB/s the M5 Pro has about 20% more bandwidth than a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, in a far smaller and quieter box that sips power when idle. The catch is capacity: 64 GB is the maximum, which rules out 120B-class models and leaves Llama 3.3 70B only just fitting. For models up to about 35B it is excellent.

This is a mainstream Copilot+ mini PC, not an AI workstation, but it takes standard DDR5 memory, and with 96 GB it can hold mixture-of-experts models up to gpt-oss 120B. Its 89.6 GB/s is about a third of a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, so expect roughly 11 to 14 tokens per second on gpt-oss 120B and 15 to 20 on the 35B-A3B models: usable, not fast. Our own desktop processor, with similar memory, wrote gpt-oss 20B at 21.8 tokens per second (test T0001). The OCuLink port lets you add a desktop graphics card later.

Same chip and 128 GB as the EVO-X2, with dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet and versions that come with Ubuntu and local AI tools pre-installed. A good machine; at $4,349 on Beelink’s store in September 2026 it simply costs about $700 more than the EVO-X2 with 2 TB.