My latest Mini PC review is of a Snapdragon-powered Windows 11 mini PC from Lenovo, the IdeaCentre Mini X. At a price point hovering around $700 (compensated affiliate link), it features the Snapdragon X1-26-100, an 8-core processor, paired with 32GB of DDR5X RAM.
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While the memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded, I found that the storage is more flexible; lifting the internal power supply reveals an open NVME slot for those who might want to expand beyond the included 512GB drive or eventually attempt a dual-boot setup.
The build quality of the machine is substantial. The metal frame gives it a sense of durability and weight that keeps it stationary on a desk. Unlike many mini PCs that rely on external power bricks, this model houses its power supply internally. This design choice contributes to the unit’s heft but also introduces a specific acoustic profile. I noticed that the fan dedicated to cooling the power supply remains audible even when the system is idle, producing a constant oscillation that persists regardless of the workload. A second fan on the CPU package only engages under heavy sustained loads, but the baseline noise from the internal power supply is a factor to consider for those seeking a silent workspace.
In terms of connectivity, the IdeaCentre Mini X offers a mix of modern and legacy options. It includes a 40Gbps USB 4 port on the back and several 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C ports. However, there is a lack of support for external GPUs which makes the 40Gbps port less useful. The inclusion of gigabit Ethernet also feels somewhat dated when compared to the 2.5 or 5 gigabit ports becoming standard in the mini PC market. For displays, the device provides both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, which I found worked reliably for dual-monitor setups.
Testing the software performance revealed the current state of the Windows on ARM ecosystem. Using native ARM applications like the Brave browser resulted in a quick and responsive experience for standard web tasks and document work. However, media performance was inconsistent. While Netflix functioned well through its native app, I encountered a significant number of dropped frames when attempting to play 4K60 video through a browser on YouTube. This suggests that while the hardware is capable, driver optimization for browser-based video playback is still a work in progress.
For more intensive tasks, the results were varied. I tested a native ARM version of DaVinci Resolve and found it could handle basic 4K60 video editing and real-time transitions quite well, often outperforming similarly priced Intel or AMD mini PCs in simple rendering tasks. It is not a professional-grade workstation for heavy effects, but it is functional for clip-stringing.
The 32GB of RAM also proved useful for running local large language models. Using LM Studio, I was able to run a Gemma 4B model with respectable text output speeds. This capability, combined with a low power draw that stays between 5 and 42 watts, suggests the machine could eventually serve as an efficient home server or AI node if Linux support becomes more accessible.
Gaming remains a challenge for this platform. Since many popular titles lack native ARM ports, they must run through a compatibility layer. In my testing with Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on the lowest settings, the system averaged only about 20 frames per second. While older titles or less demanding games might be playable, users primarily interested in gaming would likely find better performance from traditional Ryzen or Intel-based systems at this price.
The Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini X feels like a specialized tool rather than a general-purpose replacement for every user. It shows clear potential for corporate environments where the low power consumption and high RAM capacity could offer a better return on investment over a large fleet of power hungry desktops. While the platform is still maturing and certain software hurdles remain, the hardware itself is a solid example of the direction ARM-based Windows machines are taking. I plan to keep an eye on the development of Linux drivers for this unit, as that could unlock an entirely different set of use cases for this hardware in the future.