Computer Hardware Desktop
Rank 12
HP Z2 Mini G1a (Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395)
The ISV-certified Strix Halo box: 128 GB unified memory, 96 GB GPU-addressable, three-year on-site warranty, and enough lab coverage to sit beside Mac Studio for Windows/Linux pros.
Why it is here
PCMag Editors’ Choice (2026-02-10, $3,039 as tested 128 GB dual-1 TB) plus Notebookcheck, Windows Central, and StorageReview. PCMag: Cinebench multi beat Mac mini M4 Pro; Radeon 8060S dominated 3DMark vs other minis. StorageReview: GPT-OSS 120B locally without a dGPU; B&H street ~$3,343 for 128 GB/2 TB vs $4,781 list. Notebookcheck: iGPU ≈ RTX 4070 Laptop; Quiet BIOS mode keeps noise usable.
Who it is for
CAD/3D, video, and local-LLM professionals who need Windows or Ubuntu, ISV certs, VESA/rack mounting, and a three-year on-site warranty in a sub-3-liter chassis. Not a silent living-room PC — fans get loud in Performance mode.
Sources
- HP Z2 Mini G1a Review: Ryzen AI Max+ Brings the HeatEditors’ Choice mini workstation. 128 GB / dual 1 TB, $3,039 as tested. Beats M4 Pro mini in CB multi and HandBrake; 8060S dominates 3DMark vs NUC 15 Pro+ / Geekom A9 Max. Fans loud under load.
- HP Z2 Mini G1a with AMD Strix Halo review – Compact workstation with Ryzen AI Max+ and Radeon RX 8060S16-core Max+ PRO 395, 64 GB LPDDR5X-8533 ECC. iGPU competes with RTX 4070 Laptop. Noise the main con; Quiet mode keeps most performance.
- HP Z2 Mini (G1a) review: Absurd performance in a tiny package128 GB / 96 GB VRAM can run massive LLMs locally; claims capacity can beat an RTX 5090 for model size. 8060S ≈ laptop RTX 4070.
- HP Z2 Mini G1a Review: Running GPT-OSS 120B Without a Discrete GPUGPT-OSS 120B on iGPU via 96 GB VRAM. Street $3,343 vs $4,781 list.
