[pixelpoet]

The Strix Halo mini PCs use the exact same chip, and have a much smaller footprint than any laptop. Have you seen the size of these machines? I can and have easily popped my daily driver computer into my very small backpack to attend a demoparty for example.

With the laptop you probably won't get silent operation at the peak 100-140w, i.e. you've now massively overpaid for lower performance.

[throwa356262]

Can you get these from vendors like Asus and lenovo these days?

The ones I've seen on aliexpress are from unknown Chinese vendors.

[pixelpoet]

I have a Framework Desktop as primary PC (great cooling, beautiful case with handle) and the Bosgame M5 dedicated for AI use.

I was also a bit wary about Bosgame but TBH they've been great and the machine is rock solid, if a little noisier than and not as pretty as the FD. You can just buy from them directly and be fine, best computer deal out there by a mile.

[fodkodrasz]

I've had an ASUS PN-50E minipc, and its bios is broken and ASUS won't fix it, it cannot wake from sleep on Windown 11 25H2. Support told me to reinstall windows... and never got past level 1 support.

I've also got a Beelink minipc, which also had some issues, and the unknown Chineese vendor did respond meaningfully to support email, and created a BIOS update in ~2 weeks after a driver update surfaced a firmware bug.

I'd recommend skipping ASUS. Lenovo may be fine.

[fodkodrasz]

out of edit time: so my main point: Beelink may be new to the business and relatively unknown, but my overall experience is very positive with them so far. Fr better than with some Big Brands.