This Mini PC is the Best Alternative to Apple’s Mac Mini for Video Editing

This Mini PC is the Best Alternative to Apple's Mac Mini for Video Editing

As a seasoned video editor with a soft spot for powerful machines and a wallet that prefers Windows, the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT has caught my eye like a beacon in the night. Having spent years wrestling with bulky towers, I can attest to the allure of this sleek, compact powerhouse.


In the realm of video editing, Apple’s Mac Mini has been cherished by creators for quite some time due to its small build, silent operation, and robust performance. This combination makes it a preferred choice for many who handle videos and graphics. However, not everyone is fully committed to macOS. For those who prefer Windows for their creative endeavors but appreciate the Mac Mini’s design, the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT could be an excellent alternative that merits attention.

This device boasts an impressive blend of power, mobility, and adaptability comparable to a Mac. In certain aspects, it even exceeds the performance of the Mac Mini. Additionally, due to its compatibility with Windows, it doubles as a gaming platform.

Raw Performance for Smooth Editing

The AtomMan G7 PT compact computer boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor that excels in multi-threaded tasks, tackling demanding 4K video editing projects effortlessly. With 16 cores capable of reaching 5.4 GHz, it’s engineered for professional creators who require swift performance during rendering, color correction, and special effects processing. Combined with the RX 7600M XT graphics card featuring 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, this device isn’t just a casual video editor but a dominant force in the field. For those seeking a Windows-based alternative to Mac Mini with greater customization options, AtomMan G7 PT is an excellent choice.

This Mini PC is the Best Alternative to Apple's Mac Mini for Video Editing

Indeed, tasks like video editing can strain a computer’s capabilities, making effective cooling a necessity. The Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT is equipped with its Cold Wave Ultra cooling system to handle this challenge. This system combines dual-sided quad fans, liquid metal cooling, and heat pipes to ensure the CPU and GPU stay cool even under heavy workloads. Remarkably, the AtomMan G7 PT can manage up to 205W of power while keeping noise levels below 45dB.

Designed for Portability

The Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT boasts a sleek and portable design that’s both compact and stylish, making it a noticeable addition to any workspace. Unlike the Mac Mini, this model stands upright, ensuring its superior thermal performance operates effectively. An LED panel on one side lights up the ‘Legend of Asaku’ logo, but for those not familiar with the series or preferring a more minimalistic look, there’s an option within the PC’s BIOS to turn it off easily.

As a gamer, one feature I’m super excited about in the AtomMan G7 PT is its fantastic array of connectivity options. It boasts Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless wireless connections, and a swift 2.5G Ethernet port for an unwavering internet experience. It even supports three monitors simultaneously with an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and a USB-C Port with DisplayOut, not to mention additional USB ports galore!

This Mini PC is the Best Alternative to Apple's Mac Mini for Video Editing

To ensure seamless data transfer from your SD card, it’s advisable to purchase a sturdy SD card reader such as the SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II USB-C Reader or the Lexar Professional Dual-Slot Reader which supports both SD and microSD UHS-II Cards. Both options are reasonably priced and offer reliable performance. The SanDisk model is a robust choice for high-speed data transfer, while the Lexar reader offers additional versatility due to its dual slot design.

Easy Upgradability and Future Proofing

Among the notable aspects of the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT lies its focus on adaptability and long-term viability, an aspect that most Mac Mini models tend to overlook. For videographers and content producers, the ability to update your system with advancements in technology proves to be a substantial benefit.

On the AtomMan G7 PT computer, you’ll find support for an impressive 96GB of DDR5 RAM that’s simple to upgrade. This generous amount of memory makes it perfect for heavy-duty video editing tasks, enabling users to manage numerous 4K (or even 8K) video streams, intricate timelines, and substantial project files with ease. The inclusion of two M.2 SSD slots, one PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0, offers a great deal of flexibility. Users can increase their storage capacity to several terabytes, not only expanding their space but also enjoying faster-than-ever read/write speeds, ensuring smoother file access and rendering than ever before.

Pricing and Availability

The AtomMan G7 PT model featuring 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD is available for $1,199. To provide some context, the Apple Mac Mini sporting an M2 Pro chipset, along with 16GB of Unified Memory and 512GB of SSD Storage retails at $1,299. By spending less, you’ll receive twice as much RAM and storage in the AtomMan G7 PT compared to the Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chipset. This means you’ll have ample space for handling larger video files and can multitask effectively. Furthermore, this device boasts a powerful AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, which can lead to shorter video rendering times and improved overall editing performance.

What About Gaming?

The powerful combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and a dedicated Radeon RX 7600M XT graphics card means one can easily play games on the AtomMan G7 PT. However, the company also has the AtomMan G7 Ti variant, which combines an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor with the NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU. With support for DLSS 3, that’s an excellent Mini PC for gaming, though it does come at a hefty price tag. Alternatively, you can check out some other Mini PCs designed for gaming, that are also available at a variety of different price tags.

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2024-10-11 01:05