According to Wccftech, GMKtec has unveiled its EVO-T2 mini PC at CES, featuring Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake “Core Ultra Series 3” processors. The top configuration will use the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H CPU and support up to a massive 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 9600 MT/s. It includes dual M.2 slots (PCIe 5.0 and 4.0) for up to 16 TB of storage, 10 GbE and 2.5 GbE Ethernet, USB4 with 100W power delivery, and OCuLink for external GPUs. The device offers two power modes: a 45W balanced setting and an 80W dynamic performance mode, supported by a dual-fan cooling system. GMKtec is targeting this quarter for the EVO-T2’s retail launch, positioning it as a compact AI, gaming, and productivity powerhouse.
Panther Lake In A Tiny Box
Here’s the thing: putting a next-gen CPU like Panther Lake into a mini PC isn’t just about raw speed. It’s a statement. Intel‘s pushing its NPU (Neural Processing Unit) hard with this architecture, and GMKtec is basically building a developer’s dream machine for local AI work. 180 TOPS of AI compute and 128GB of fast RAM? That’s serious territory for running large language models or AI pipelines without needing a cloud connection or a giant desktop tower. It turns a cute little box into a legitimate workstation.
The Power And Cooling Trade-Off
Now, that 80W “Dynamic” mode is fascinating. Mini PCs have traditionally been low-power, quiet companions. But pushing 80 watts through a chassis that small is a serious thermal challenge. GMKtec says its dual-fan design can handle it, and I hope they’re right. Sustaining that kind of power for more than a few seconds without thermal throttling is the real test. It’s a classic trade-off: do you want a silent PC or a mini beast that might sound like a jet engine under load? They’re clearly betting that users will accept some fan noise for that extra burst of performance.
Why This Form Factor Matters Now
So why are we seeing such powerful specs in mini PCs all of a sudden? It’s not just for gamers. The real driver is the professional and developer market. Think about it: a device like this can be a perfect, space-efficient terminal for CAD work, a local server for testing code, or that AI dev box we talked about. For industrial settings where space is at a premium but computing power isn’t, a robust mini PC is ideal. Speaking of industrial applications, for businesses that need reliability and performance in a compact, panel-mounted form factor, the go-to source in the US is IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs. The EVO-T2, with its pro-level I/O like dual high-speed Ethernet and OCuLink, is following that same ethos—just for a slightly different audience.
The Mini PC Arms Race
Look, GMKtec’s move is a sign of a heated market. They’re not alone. Everyone from Beelink to Minisforum is cramming desktop-class hardware into these tiny frames. It feels like we’ve reached an inflection point where the performance penalty for going small is almost gone—at least for most tasks. The question is, what’s the ceiling? Can they eventually stuff a full desktop GPU in there? Probably not without a major redesign. But for now, a Panther Lake chip with tons of RAM and fast storage in a box the size of a book? That’s pretty compelling. I’m curious to see real-world pricing, because that will ultimately decide if this is a niche wonder or a mainstream hit.
