Minix is not a new name if you have been following the mini PC scene for some time. Based in Hong Kong, the company has spent years building compact systems across both AMD and Intel platforms. As AI workloads slowly become a common part of daily computing, Minix has stepped into new territory with its first true AI workstation in mini PC form, the Elite ER939-AI.
This is not another tiny desktop built for light office use. The Elite ER939-AI is powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and is clearly positioned for users doing AI work, content creation, and performance-heavy workloads where a traditional desktop simply does not fit.
Pricing starts from USD 2,899 depending on configuration, so this sits firmly in workstation territory rather than typical mini PC pricing.
Design and Build
The Elite ER939-AI uses a vertical chassis that looks more like a slim book standing upright than a typical small computer box. At 205 x 192 x 70 mm and weighing around 1.37 kg, it is larger than ultra compact mini PCs, but it still takes up very little desk space.
Minix opts for a metal chassis that feels solid and premium. Air is drawn in from the bottom and sides and pushed out from the rear, which gives the system a clear airflow path that prioritizes cooling rather than visual design flair.
Power is delivered by a 240W external adapter. It supplies enough capacity for this class of hardware but also means you need some additional space on or under your desk for the power brick.
Specifications Breakdown
At the heart of the Elite ER939-AI is AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395, a 16 core, 32 thread processor capable of boosting up to 5.1 GHz. It also includes an AI-focused NPU that pushes 50 TOPS of compute, bringing total AI performance from CPU, GPU, and NPU together to around 126 TOPS.
Speaking of memory, this system comes with a hefty 128 GB of LPDDR5-8000 using Micron chips. This is also the maximum supported by the platform and gives the integrated graphics and AI workloads plenty of bandwidth to work with.
The graphics are handled by the integrated Radeon 8060S, which features 40 compute units and clocks as high as 2.9 GHz. It is one of the strongest integrated GPUs currently available and benefits deeply from fast system memory.
Storage is handled by two M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots. Our review unit came equipped with dual 1 TB drives using a Phison E27T controller. Retail configurations may differ depending on region and SKU. Networking is powered by the Realtek RTL8125 for 2.5 Gb Ethernet, while the SD card reader uses a Genesys Logic GL9775 controller with UHS-II support.
Ports and Connectivity
Minix makes good use of every square inch with a strong selection of ports. The front panel includes a 3.5 mm audio jack, two USB 3.2 Type A ports, a USB4 Type C port with DisplayPort support and 15W charging, an SD 4.0 card reader, and the power button. The power button also integrates a fingerprint reader with LED indicator, making Windows sign-in quick and convenient.
At the rear, you get two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI 2.1 with support for 8K at 60 Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 with the same 8K output capability, another USB4 Type C port with DisplayPort support, a USB 3.2 Type A port, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a Kensington lock slot.
Wireless is handled by the AMD RZ717 module with WiFi 7 support. While it does not support 320 MHz channels, throughput still tops out at a respectable 2.4 Gbps under ideal conditions. Bluetooth is also supported for peripherals and audio devices.
Quick Performance Check
Running the Elite ER939-AI in Performance Mode at its full 120W power limit reveals what makes it unique. In CPU workloads, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 delivers levels of performance that are closer to a high-end mobile workstation than any typical mini PC. Multitasking is smooth, heavy rendering jobs run confidently, and AI workloads benefit from the massive memory bandwidth and built-in NPU.
Memory is one of the biggest strengths here. With LPDDR5-8000 delivering bandwidth above 120 GB/s, both CPU and GPU performance receive a noticeable uplift. File operations, complex projects, and large datasets are handled with ease.
The Radeon 8060S also proves that this is not just another weak integrated graphics solution. While it does not replace a discrete GPU, it performs closer to entry-level dedicated cards than expected, especially in Full HD gaming and synthetic benchmarks.
Thermally, the system does eventually throttle down under extended full load operation, which is not surprising for such a compact system running at 120W. The important part is that noise levels remain relatively controlled and the system never feels stressed or uncomfortable to work next to.
Final Thoughts
At USD 2,899, it is expensive, but the price reflects its role as a specialized performance system rather than a typical desktop replacement. The Minix Elite ER939-AI is not designed for casual users or general office setups. It is built for professionals who want workstation-class performance in the smallest possible space.
The CPU, memory configuration, AI capability, and thermal engineering all contribute to a machine that feels more like a compact workstation than a conventional mini PC. It is not without compromise, of course. The Wi-Fi speeds are limited compared to full 320 MHz implementations, the SSD comes DRAM-less out of the box, and performance tuning is locked behind the BIOS rather than a Windows utility.
If you want real processing power, AI acceleration, and a PC that fits next to your monitor instead of under your desk, the Elite ER939-AI is a genuinely impressive piece of hardware.
