Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01 most recent endeavor merges a vintage visual style with robust contemporary components condensed into a compact yet potent enclosure.
The initial encounter with Ayaneo for numerous gamers was in the realm of handheld gaming devices, where it emerged as a competitor to Valve, introducing devices like the Ayaneo Kun. Expanding its horizons, the company is now setting its sights on the mini PC sector, looking to carve a niche in that market with the introduction of a diminutive computer named the Retro Mini PC AM01.
Key Specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB
- Price: Starts at $150 – $459 (reviewed)
- Where to buy: IndieGoGo
Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01 Design
Expressing this might lack finesse, but the Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01 is undeniably charming. Drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of the old Mac Classic, it condenses the design into an even more compact form that easily fits into various spaces, including discreet placements under or behind a monitor.
While it might seem a bit of a waste to conceal such a delightful design, the ‘screen’ on the shell is purely decorative and non-functional. However, Ayaneo has thoughtfully included a variety of stickers, allowing users to customize the device according to their preferences. Additionally, there are cute magnetic decorations available to adorn the front, enabling personalization to align with individual styles.
The meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout the entire package. For instance, the power button is strategically positioned where the eject switch for a floppy disk would be on a Mac Classic. The multitude of ports is thoughtfully arranged to avoid interference with each other when all are in use.
Features
The Retro Mini PC AM01 from Ayaneo boasts an extensive array of ports, featuring not only HDMI and a power jack but also an Ethernet port, DisplayPort, multiple USB ports, and a headphone jack conveniently located on the front. This versatility allows the AM01 to serve various purposes, from a mini workstation and retro emulator to a media server, catering to diverse user needs.
The thoughtful addition of stickers and magnetic decorations provides a delightful touch, allowing users to infuse their AM01 with a unique personality, making it distinctly their own.
On the IndieGoGo platform, several customization options are available for users to tailor the internals of the AM01. These options range from a basic model designed for tinkering and customization to higher-spec versions featuring Ryzen 7 processors. Many of these models come pre-installed with Windows 11, although this operating system may seem excessive for most AM01 functions. While there is an overlay called AYASpace, it doesn’t play a significant role on a desktop machine like the AM01. Ayaspace primarily allows customization of the TDP and framerate for gaming titles, which is more relevant to their battery-powered handheld devices than a standalone mini PC.
Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01 Performance
With ‘Retro’ prominently featured in its name and boasting reasonable specs, one might anticipate that the AM01 is well-suited for emulation, and indeed, that assumption holds true. Initial tests with Genesis and SNES games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Super Mario World, revealed flawless performance, with smooth upscaling to 1080p and no issues of dropped frames or lag during gameplay. The AM01 effortlessly handled games from the 8 and 16-bit era.
Pushing the boundaries, the examination extended to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 library, where titles like Chu Chu Rocket and Soul Calibur demonstrated seamless performance, both visually and experientially. Even notoriously challenging PS2 games, like Shadow of the Colossus, posed no problem for the AM01. In essence, the AM01 stands out as an exceptional emulation device, surpassing popular alternatives like the Raspberry Pi in terms of both performance and capability.
Surprisingly, the AM01 proved capable of handling more modern PC games with finesse. Bioshock: Infinite ran smoothly, despite the absence of a dedicated graphics card, demonstrating flawless functionality.
To further test its limits, Cyberpunk 2077 was thrown into the mix, not with the expectation of optimal performance, but merely to gauge its capabilities. To the reviewer’s amazement, the game loaded and ran, albeit on minimum settings, necessitating some adjustments to camera and display options for optimal performance. Although the framerate settled at a lower 30fps, with occasional dips, the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 ran at all on the AM01 was a surprising feat.
These impressive results left the reviewer convinced that the AM01 was crafted by individuals possessing extraordinary skills.
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