HP Z2 Mini G1i 2025, Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 2000 Ada Generation, Black

A 24-core beast in a lunchbox. Buy it for work, not for play, and shop around because prices are all over the map.

The CPU here is the star. That Core Ultra 9 285K sits in the 97th percentile for this category, which means it's basically top of the charts for mini workstations. 32GB of 6400 MT/s DDR5 keeps things snappy, and the 1TB NVMe drive is solid if not spectacular. The RTX 2000 Ada is a workstation card through and through, great for CAD, 3D modeling, and ray tracing workloads, but it's not built for high-refresh gaming. Our gaming score of 67.7 tells the story: this thing will run games, but that's not why you buy it.

The obvious rival is the Apple Mac Studio M5 Max, which beats this HP on raw GPU muscle and efficiency but locks you into macOS. If your workflow is Windows-based CAD or engineering software, the Z2 Mini is the better call. The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 is a different beast entirely, a full tower with way more gaming chops but zero portability. And the Dell Aurora Gaming sits in a similar space, more gamer, less workstation. For compact Windows workstation duty, the HP holds its own against all of them.

Here's the thing: pricing is all over the place. We're seeing USD 3,231 to USD 4,220 across three US listings, and that's a USD 989 spread for what appears to be the same config. If you're paying the high end, you're getting fleeced. Shop around, check Newegg's listing, and don't settle for the first price you see. At the low end, this is a fair deal for the CPU and GPU combo. At the high end, you're paying a premium for the small footprint.

The HP Z2 Mini G1i is a workstation that punches way above its size class. You're getting a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and an RTX 2000 Ada with 16GB of VRAM stuffed into a 2.4kg box that won't eat your desk. The one thing to know: this is a serious pro machine for compact spaces, not a gaming rig in disguise.

If you're looking for a gaming PC, this isn't it. The gaming score of 67.7 puts it firmly in mediocre territory for that use case. Go get a Lenovo Legion Tower 7i or a Dell Aurora instead. Same money, way more frames.

If you need a compact Windows workstation for CAD, 3D design, or engineering work, the Z2 Mini G1i is a genuinely excellent choice. The CPU is best-in-class for this size, the RTX 2000 Ada handles pro apps without breaking a sweat, and the port selection is generous. Just don't buy it for gaming, and don't pay more than you have to. Find the USD 3,231 listing and pull the trigger.