I bought this primarily for software development - it acts as a remote system that I SSH into (VSCode remote) and enables me to use my PC and laptop to work on things without having to deal with git clones or sync between both systems. It also ensures that I have a consistent environment. Previously, I'd been using an N100 system for this purpose, but being a low-power CPU with only 4 cores and 4 threads meant that it'd often feel very sluggish even when running Ubuntu 22.04 server. For example, it would often take 30 seconds or more for typescript automated error checking to complete. When you add into that the perceived latency caused by a poor mobile connection (e.g. VPN while using mobile for hotspot while on a train), it felt quite frustrating using the N100 system for that purpose. If I add in some docker containers (such as Supabase local development), then the system really starts to chug. The model I went for was the Minisforum UM890 system based on the 8945HS. I did replace the Windows install with Ubuntu 22.04 because that works better for my use case. It's lightyears ahead in terms of performance. The same typescript automated error checking now happens near-instantly. Building React-Native apps (for android, using Expo/EAS local builds) takes around 4-5 minutes to complete - roughly on par with my £3900 M1 Max Macbook Pro from 2021. Running docker containers on this is like nothing. I'm not sure how well it'd handle tasks like video transcoding (Intel is still king for that), but I also wouldn't say you couldn't use it for that task. It's also exceptionally quiet. Even when it's running flat out with all 16 cores, the fan noise is still comfortably quiet, and the noise profile itself is pleasant with no high pitched whining or extremely low bass-tones. When it's idle or mostly-idle, you will struggle to hear it unless it's on your shoulder. I have this system in the same room I sleep in, and at night, when it's generally idle, I can't hear it. It's also not as though it get hot either. Don't get me wrong, when it's running flat out, there's some warmth being pushed out of the back, but it's definitely not 'hot' in the same sense as you'd typically associate with systems like this. Evidently, making it taller than most other mini-PC's, packing as much heatsink in as you can, having efficient paths for the air, and having lots of venting brings huge benefits to these systems and I really hope Minisforum continue to release models that take this approach. Another selling point is the double M.2 slots. I chose to add a secondary 2TB SSD into the second slot, ran through a few commands to get it mounted (it'd be much easier to do this in Windows), and it just works. No fuss, no problems. I'm also really glad that the RAM can be replaced or upgraded. Admittedly, at 64GB, my use-cases don't come close to that, but it's good to know that I could, in theory, move up to 96GB if I needed to. Another strong use-case with that in mind could be processing of large datasets. For example, if you work with map tile generation or transport-related datasets, you'll know that they can command a huge amount of memory. One of these mini-PC's could possibly replace a costly cloud VPS (which can cost upwards of $500 per month for a similar spec). Consider these systems as miniature, relatively inexpensive, developer powerhouses. Truth be told, if I didn't already have a full desktop gaming PC, I'd probably buy another one of these and use an external GPU dock (+ the included OCULink adapter) and make this into my main system. The space savings, reduced noise and even less stress caused by it being an integrated system would be a nice perk to have. The only complaint I have is the same problem I have with most small mains-powered devices: Why do companies insist on adding BRIGHT BLUE LED's as power indicators? I'm not downvoting it for that because I can put tape over it, but I hate that companies feel the need to illuminate an entire room with a power LED. It's unnecessary. If you can live with that though, this system represents an excellent purchase. As of writing, this model was priced at approximately £710 GBP and included 64GB RAM and a 1TB SSD.
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As a 'tech-savvy' video editor and occasional gamer, I've been keeping an eye on the mini PC scene, been reading various reviews and this new UM890 Pro definitely grabbed my attention. Specifically the practical extras - mainly that OCuLink adapter – a real game-changer for eGPU performance and future-proof-ness. The design is sleek - it's just an aluminium block. But the port selection is fantastic - USB4, DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, and obviously OcuLink, it's got more connectivity than many premium laptops.. This isnt my first Minisforum PC, so I knew straight away what to expect from the dual-fan cooling system - its remarkably quiet, even when the system is under load (during video editing, for example). Performance-wise, the Ryzen 9 8945HS chews through 4K video edits in Davinci Resolve like it's nothing, I jumped from FCPX I use on my iMac and to be honest this little thing just works, multiple graded video tracks, multiple audio tracks and text layers.. It's clear this machine is built for some serious 4K work. The rendering time may be a tad longer comparing to m1 iMac, but still satisfactory. That said, there are a couple of minor things I noticed - while the included SSD is fine, it's not the absolutely fastest out there. If you're dealing with massive files regularly (like 4k video files), you'll probably want to upgrade to a faster NVMe drive in the second slot. On more positive side, its thermal performance is pretty much outstanding. It runs whisper-quiet, even under heavy stress (I measured the noise when the fans are hitting and it's around 37-40dB, which is comparable to the whisper/quiet library - the 'cold wave 2.2' cooling system lives up to its name. And for gaming, while the integrated graphics are okay for 1080p at lower or medium settings, getting easily 120fps on titles like forza horizon 5, the Oculink port will definitely transform this thing. I'm planning to pair it in the near future with an eGPU, just to enjoy some new titles running at least in 2k with super-high frame rates. So to sum up, I'm happy with my purchase. This thing is worth every penny, takes only small space, it’s quiet, expandable and its powerful enough for both work and play. I'd give it 4.5 - 5 stars. Hope this helps. Update (19 Feb 2025) - Shortly after I bought the UM890 Pro, I bought also Minisforum 790S7 , a nice classic looking mini-tower PC with clean design, no RGB nonsense, which feels solid. Popping it open is easy – a couple of screws, inside it's packed but organized. Beefy heatsink, dual NVMe slots, and a PCIe 5.0 slot (bit of a future-proofing), nice. Heads-up though: no built-in Wi-Fi - so you'll need a dongle or PCIe card. Initial Windows setup is possible offline via Ethernet, or you can do what I did and install the drivers for your USB Wi-Fi adapter beforehand. Under the hood: Ryzen 9 7945HX – usually in laptops but it handles everything, from video editing to light gaming. 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD make it snappy. Dedicated RTX 4060, too – a low-profile one, but still. Speaking of games: not a full-on rig, but surprisingly good. 1440p (2K) gaming is doable with tweaks. Cyberpunk? Playable with FSR. Older games? No problem. Good balance between size and performance. Thermals and noise are okay, the fan is quiet normally, louder during gaming. Not jet-engine loud, but noticeable. Temps are good. Might look into a quieter fan later. Day-to-day use is fantastic - its fast and handles everything. For the price it's a solid deal. 4.5 out of 5. Great for work, play, and everything in between. Thanks.
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