For years, my home office has been a battleground. The enemy? A hulking, black desktop tower that hummed, whirred, and radiated heat like a small furnace. It was powerful, sure, but it was also a monument to clutter—a dust-collecting monolith that dictated my desk layout and audibly announced its presence during every late-night work session. I craved a workspace that was clean, quiet, and efficient, but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice the performance I needed for daily multitasking, streaming 4K content, and managing my growing home media library. The thought of switching to a laptop felt like a compromise, tethering me to a smaller screen and a less ergonomic setup. This is the modern dilemma: how do you get full-desktop power without the full-desktop footprint? Forgetting to address this doesn’t just mean a messy desk; it means a less productive, more distracting work environment. It’s a problem that has led many, including myself, to explore the burgeoning world of mini PCs, searching for a device that promises everything without the excess. The GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC landed on our test bench as a potential champion in this category, and we were eager to see if it could truly deliver.
- INTEL TWIN LAKE N150 MINI PC - The Intel Intel Twin Lake N150 Mini PC is 4 Core 4 Threads 6MB cache, base frequency burst speed up to 3.6GHz. More powerful performance and smoother running than...
- FASTER PROCESSING SPEED OF PCIE3.0 HARD DRIVE - GMKtec Nucbox G3 is pre-configured with 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD. Compared with the M.2 2280 SATA SSD (speed only...
What to Consider Before Shrinking Your Setup: A Mini PC Buyer’s Guide
A Mini PC is more than just a novelty item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming space and reducing energy consumption without giving up the core functionality of a traditional desktop. For professionals working from home, students in cramped dorm rooms, or families wanting a discreet media centre for their living room, these compact devices offer a powerful and elegant alternative. They solve the problem of physical and acoustic clutter, transforming a noisy, crowded workspace into a streamlined and focused environment. The main benefits are undeniable: a drastically smaller footprint, significantly lower power draw resulting in energy savings, and whisper-quiet operation that won’t distract you from your tasks.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing space constraints who needs a reliable machine for office productivity, web browsing, 4K media playback, and light multitasking. This includes home office workers, digital signage operators, and anyone building a low-power home server or network-attached storage (NAS) system. However, a mini PC like this might not be suitable for those who need high-end graphical power for AAA gaming, intensive video editing, or 3D rendering. For those users, a traditional desktop tower with a dedicated graphics card remains the superior choice, as the integrated graphics on these ultra-compact machines, while capable, have their limits.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The primary appeal of a mini PC is its size. Most, like the GMKtec G3 Plus, are small enough to be held in one hand. Consider where you’ll place it. Will it sit on your desk, or will you use an included VESA mount to attach it to the back of your monitor for a true zero-footprint setup? Check the device’s dimensions to ensure it fits your intended space perfectly.
- Capacity/Performance: This is where you need to look past the small size. Key metrics include the processor (e.g., the Intel N150 is a notable step up from the common N100), the amount and speed of RAM (16GB of DDR4 is a sweet spot for smooth multitasking), and the type of storage. An NVMe SSD is non-negotiable for fast boot times and application loading, so check its read/write speeds.
- Materials & Durability: Most mini PCs use a combination of plastic and metal in their construction. A metal chassis or internal frame can aid in heat dissipation, which is crucial in such a compact form factor. While the exterior is often plastic to keep costs down, we look for a sturdy build that doesn’t feel flimsy and has intelligently designed ventilation to ensure long-term reliability.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good mini PC should be plug-and-play. We expect a pre-installed, bloatware-free operating system like Windows 11 Pro. Furthermore, consider future upgrades. Some models have tool-free access to the RAM and SSD slots, making it easy to expand or replace components down the line, a feature that significantly extends the device’s lifespan.
This careful consideration ensures you get a machine that not only fits your space but also perfectly matches your performance needs for years to come.
While the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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- Refurbished Dell Optiplex SFF PC, Equipped with a FAST Intel Core i7 6th Generation CPU Processor
- Inter Quad Core I5 4570 High performance 4th Generation processor
Unboxing the G3 Plus: First Impressions and What’s in the Box
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with unboxing a well-packaged piece of tech, and GMKtec clearly understands this. The experience felt surprisingly premium, echoing the sentiments of several users who noted the care put into the packaging. The box for the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC is compact and sturdy, and inside, every component is nestled securely in its own compartment. Lifting the device out for the first time, its diminutive size is still startling; it’s barely larger than a stack of coasters and weighs next to nothing, yet feels solid and well-constructed. The matte black plastic chassis is understated and won’t attract fingerprints, making it a good fit for any environment.
Inside the box, we found everything needed to get started immediately: the mini PC itself, a 36W power adapter, a quality HDMI cable, and a VESA mounting bracket with a corresponding set of screws. The inclusion of the VESA mount is a fantastic touch, offering an immediate path to a clutter-free desk by hiding the PC behind a monitor. The user manual is concise, but the setup is so intuitive that it’s hardly necessary. This attention to detail in the unboxing experience sets a positive tone right from the start, suggesting a product that is not only functional but also thoughtfully designed, a feeling you can confirm by checking out its full feature set and user reviews.
Advantages
- Excellent performance for daily tasks with the upgraded Intel N150 CPU.
- Superb connectivity suite including WiFi 6 and a 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet port.
- Whisper-quiet operation and very low power consumption.
- Compact, VESA-mountable design with a generous port selection (4x USB 3.2).
Limitations
- Not suitable for demanding, modern AAA gaming.
- Can experience slowdowns under extremely heavy multitasking, like concurrent Windows updates and intensive tasks.
Putting the G3 Plus to the Test: A Performance Deep Dive
A compact design is one thing, but performance is where a mini PC lives or dies. We pushed the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC through a battery of real-world tests, from standard office productivity and web browsing to 4K media streaming and light server duties. Our goal was to determine if this tiny box could genuinely replace a traditional desktop for the average user. After extensive testing, we can confidently say that for its intended audience, it not only keeps up but often exceeds expectations, largely thanks to a well-balanced combination of its processor, connectivity, and storage.
The Heart of the Machine: Intel N150 Processor Performance
The star of the show here is the Intel N150 processor. While many budget mini PCs opt for the capable but more common N100 chip, the N150 in the G3 Plus provides a tangible performance boost. Built on the same efficient Alder Lake-N architecture, it features four cores and four threads but boasts a higher burst speed of up to 3.6GHz and, crucially, a more powerful integrated UHD Graphics engine with a higher execution unit count. In our day-to-day use, this translated into a snappier, more fluid user experience. Web pages with heavy ad loads and multiple scripts loaded noticeably faster, and juggling a dozen browser tabs while running Microsoft Office and streaming music resulted in no discernible lag.
We found it handled office applications—Word, Excel, PowerPoint—with absolute ease, confirming reports from users who found it ideal for documents and presentations. But we wanted to push it further. We set it up as a lightweight home server, and this is where it truly shined. The 6W TDP (Thermal Design Power) means it runs incredibly efficiently. Our measurements confirmed what others have found: an idle power draw of just 12-14W. This makes it perfect for 24/7 operation. For more technical validation, we ran a series of I/O and memory benchmarks. Our tests revealed impressive sequential and random read speeds from the NVMe drive and excellent memory write speeds topping 25 GB/s, numbers that are outstanding for a low-power platform. This raw speed is the reason the system feels so responsive, a quality that really sets it apart in its price bracket.
Connectivity That Doesn’t Compromise: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2.5G Ethernet
Often, the first corner cut on budget PCs is connectivity. That is emphatically not the case here. The inclusion of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port (powered by the reliable Intel i225-V controller) is a game-changer and arguably the standout feature of the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC. For the average user, Gigabit Ethernet is more than enough, but for power users, enthusiasts, or anyone with a modern home network and a NAS, 2.5G Ethernet is a massive upgrade. During our testing, we connected the G3 Plus to our 2.5G-capable network and saw real-world transfer speeds consistently hitting 2.3 Gbps. This makes transferring large media files from a server or backing up data incredibly fast, eliminating network bottlenecks that plague lesser machines.
The wireless capabilities are equally robust. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provided a stable and fast connection even at a distance from our router, easily handling 4K video streams without buffering. Bluetooth 5.2 worked flawlessly, allowing us to connect keyboards, mice, and headphones without any dropouts or latency issues. The port selection is also generous for a machine this size. With four USB 3.2 ports, we had no trouble connecting all our peripherals—external drives, a webcam, and a printer—without needing a hub. This comprehensive I/O suite makes the G3 Plus incredibly versatile, ready for anything from a simple desktop setup to a more complex home media or server role. It’s this forward-thinking approach to connectivity that makes the G3 Plus an exceptionally smart investment.
Multimedia and Productivity Powerhouse: 4K Dual Displays and Zippy Storage
A modern computer needs to be a multimedia expert, and the G3 Plus steps up to the plate. The integrated Intel UHD graphics, while not a gaming powerhouse, are more than capable of driving two 4K displays at a smooth 60Hz via its dual HDMI 2.0 ports. We hooked it up to our dual-monitor test bench, and the setup was effortless. Windows 11 Pro immediately recognized both screens, and we were able to extend our desktop for a massive productivity boost. Video playback was flawless; we streamed 4K content from YouTube and Netflix, and the G3 Plus didn’t break a sweat. This is thanks in large part to its support for AV1 decoding, a modern and efficient video codec used by major streaming platforms, which allows for high-quality video playback with lower processing overhead.
This smooth performance is underpinned by the fast 512GB NVMe SSD. Booting into Windows 11 took mere seconds, and applications like Chrome and Photoshop Elements launched almost instantly. This confirms the “blazingly fast” experience reported by many users. The specified read/write speeds of up to 1700MB/s are a massive leap from the SATA SSDs or even hard drives found in older or cheaper systems. This speed is felt in every interaction, from copying files off a USB stick to saving large documents. For users upgrading from an older machine, the difference is night and day. The combination of dual 4K output and rapid storage makes the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC an outstanding choice for both work and entertainment.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience with the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC is strongly mirrored in the feedback from the wider user community. A common thread is astonishment at the performance packed into such a small form factor. One user, upgrading from a decade-old tower, was delighted, stating it was “ultra-fast to start and heats very little,” and that the machine, which “fits in the size of a hand,” was just as effective as their old, bulky PC. Another simply noted they’ve been using it for a month and “love it,” calling it “blazingly fast especially when loading Web pages.”
The technical-minded are equally impressed. An Italian user provided detailed benchmarks, concluding that the “random write performance is particularly good for an NVMe on a low-power platform” and that the 2.5G LAN port delivers “real throughput” of 2.3 Gbps. However, the feedback is also balanced. One Spanish-speaking user, while praising it as “compact, efficient, and with low sonority,” correctly points out that its multitasking feels “a bit more limited, especially when Windows is updating.” This aligns with our findings; while it’s a strong performer, it’s not invincible and has the limits typical of a low-power quad-core CPU under extreme load.
How Does the GMKtec G3 Plus Stack Up? A Look at the Alternatives
No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the full picture, we’ve compared the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC to three distinct alternatives that cater to different needs and priorities.
1. XUM Legend Gaming PC
- Unleash Next-Level Performance: The XUM Legend Gaming PC combines an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor with Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics for ultra-fast speeds, smooth multitasking, and immersive...
- Ample Memory & Lightning-Fast Storage: Enjoy seamless transitions between tasks with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, while the 256GB NVMe SSD ensures rapid boot times and swift game loading. The additional 1TB HDD...
The XUM Legend is a different beast entirely. It’s a pre-built gaming PC in a traditional tower form factor. Its core strength lies in the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor, which features significantly more powerful integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics. If your use case includes light to moderate 1080p gaming on titles like Fortnite, Valorant, or older AAA games, the XUM Legend is a far superior choice. However, that performance comes at the cost of size, noise, and power consumption. This machine is for the aspiring gamer on a budget who prioritizes frame rates over footprint and is willing to trade the sleek, silent operation of the G3 Plus for a proper gaming experience.
2. Vibox Gaming PC Bundle Ryzen 3 16GB RAM 1TB NVMe SSD
- Integrated Radeon Vega 8 Graphics Chip
- AMD Ryzen 3-3200G Quad Core 12nm AM4 CPU
The Vibox bundle targets a similar audience to the XUM but offers a complete, all-in-one solution for those starting from scratch, as it includes a 22″ monitor. Its AMD Ryzen 3 3200G is an older but still capable processor with Radeon Vega 8 graphics, making it suitable for entry-level gaming and general use. The key appeal here is value and convenience. For a single price, you get a full setup ready to go. You’re sacrificing the cutting-edge connectivity (no 2.5G Ethernet or WiFi 6) and the compact, power-sipping nature of the GMKtec G3 Plus, but gaining a complete, game-ready workstation out of the box.
3. MeLE Quieter 4C Fanless Mini PC 32GB 512GB Windows 11 Pro
- 【Faster and More Efficient】This mini PC has a special cooling system for fast and reliable performance when used to ensure reliable performance without surges, and a 7-24 hour usage with passive...
- Excellent processor and operating system: Quieter28 Mini PC built into the latest Intel Gemini Lake Celeron J4125 processor (Quad-Core, 2.0GHz-2.70GHz) and Intel UHD Graphics 600, 8GB DDR4, 128GB...
The MeLE Quieter 4C is the most direct competitor to the GMKtec G3 Plus. Its main selling point is its completely fanless design, guaranteeing absolute silence—perfect for recording studios, bedrooms, or any noise-sensitive environment. It also offers a massive 32GB of RAM and triple display support. However, it uses the slightly less powerful Intel N100 processor. The choice between these two comes down to priorities: if absolute silence and more RAM for virtual machines or heavy browser use are paramount, the MeLE is an excellent option. If you prefer the snappier performance of the N150 CPU and the high-speed 2.5G Ethernet port, the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC holds the edge.
Final Verdict: Is the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC the Right Choice for You?
After putting it through its paces, we can confidently say that the GMKtec G3 Plus Intel N150 Mini PC is a spectacular achievement in the compact computing space. It strikes an almost perfect balance between size, performance, and price. For anyone looking to replace a bulky old desktop for home office work, media consumption, or even light server tasks, this machine is an unqualified success. The upgraded Intel N150 processor provides a snappy, responsive experience, while the inclusion of future-proof connectivity like WiFi 6 and, most notably, a 2.5G Ethernet port, places it in a class of its own at this price point. It’s quiet, energy-efficient, and versatile enough to handle nearly any task you throw at it, short of high-end gaming.
If you’re tired of desktop clutter and seeking a powerful, efficient, and affordable solution, the G3 Plus should be at the very top of your list. It delivers on its promise of full-desktop power in a package that can disappear behind your monitor. We wholeheartedly recommend it as a top-tier choice in the mini PC market. Ready to reclaim your desk space and upgrade your computing experience? Then we strongly suggest you check the latest price and availability on the GMKtec G3 Plus today.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API