Over the course of the past year, I reviewed a wide range of tech products, and as the calendar wraps up, I like to take a step back and look at the ones that stood out to me after extended use. This list is limited to things I actually reviewed during the year, which means some notable products are absent simply because I never had them in hand. What I enjoy most about this process is that many of the items I cover tend to be a bit off the beaten path, and revisiting them offers a useful snapshot of how they held up beyond the initial review period.
You can watch my Best of 2025 video here!
Among PCs, the GMKtec G3 Plus was the most compelling system I looked at this year insofar as its bang for the buck. It is a compact Windows mini PC built around Intel’s N150 processor, with support for up to 16 GB of memory and dual storage devices. Despite its low cost, performance proved solid for everyday computing, Linux installations, and light server duties. Pricing has crept up due to broader market pressures, but it remains accessible, especially given its flexibility. Find it here on Amazon or direct from GMKTec (compensated affiliate links).
Another system built on the same processor, the Beelink ME Mini, distinguished itself as a home server platform thanks to its six NVMe slots. I have been running it continuously as a Plex server under Unraid (compensated affiliate link), alongside additional Docker containers, and it has been reliable, quiet, and well cooled over several months of use. You can find the ME Mini on Amazon or direct at Beelink’s website.
In gaming hardware, one of the more interesting devices was GMKtec’s AD-GP1 external GPU. It pairs an AMD RX 7600M XT with multiple connection options, including Thunderbolt, USB4, and OCuLink. Beyond using it as a conventional external GPU for laptops, I also experimented with connecting it directly to a mini PC via OCuLink, which opened up some unconventional but functional configurations. You can find it on Amazon here or direct at GMKTec’s website (compensated affiliate links).
Another gaming highlight was Lenovo’s Legion Go S, a handheld PC running SteamOS. It offers a modest performance and display upgrade over the Steam Deck and signals a broader ecosystem of licensed SteamOS devices that should expand further in the coming years. You can find the Legion Go S at Best Buy (compensated affiliate link).
For retro enthusiasts, the SummerCart64 stood out as an affordable flash cartridge for the Nintendo 64. Based on an open-source design and produced by multiple manufacturers, it enables playback of the full N64 library, including 64DD titles and modern homebrew software. It also worked seamlessly with the Analogue 3D console in my testing. Find one at Aliexpress (compensated affiliate link).
On the software side, I spent time with NES-to-SNES game ports developed by Infidelity. These ports preserve the original gameplay while reducing hardware-related limitations such as flicker and adding small quality-of-life improvements. They run on original hardware as well as emulators, making them broadly accessible. You can download the ROMs here!
In the camera and photo space, the Kodak-branded Slide N Scan offered a practical, if imperfect, solution for digitizing negatives and slides. Image quality is limited, but the speed and simplicity of the workflow make it useful for casual archiving and sharing. When paired with modern AI-based enhancement tools, the resulting images can be significantly improved, which extends the usefulness of the hardware beyond its original capabilities. Find the Slide N Scan at Amazon (compensated affiliate link).
Two free applications also earned spots on the list. LocalSend provides a straightforward way to transfer files across platforms on a local network, effectively filling the gap left by proprietary solutions like AirDrop. It has become a regular part of my workflow. You can find LocalSend here.
UTM, available on the Mac, offers virtualization and emulation support for both ARM and Intel operating systems. It allowed me to quickly spin up Windows, Linux, and even classic operating systems without relying on heavier commercial software, making it a practical tool for testing and legacy access. UTM can be downloaded here.
There were also a few honorable mentions. The Mister Pi offered a low-cost turn-key entry into the MiSTer FPGA ecosystem, but limited availability kept it from wider recommendation. But be on the lookout for the new SuperStation One by the same manufacturer which promises to be a more readily available (and more elegant) Mister solution.
A UniFi 10-gigabit Ethernet adapter proved to be a reliable and quiet option for high-speed low cost networking over Thunderbolt or USB4. You can find it at B&H.
Finally, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller demonstrated that a low-priced gamepad does not have to feel disposable, making it suitable for both casual and multiplayer use. The days of the lousy “little sibling” controller are finally over. Find it on Amazon (compensated affiliate link).
As I head into the next year, my 14th doing this YouTube thing, I’ll be once again attending CES for a series of dispatch videos. I expect that same mix of mainstream and niche hardware to continue shaping what I cover, and I appreciate everyone who followed along as I tested and revisited these devices throughout the year. More to come!
Disclosure: the GMKTEc, Beelink and 8bitdo devices came into the channel free of charge. The Lenovo Legion Go S was provided on loan from Lenovo. No other compensation was received, the brands did not suggest, review or approve content prior to publication, and all opinions are my own.