As the computer industry pivots toward localizing AI workloads, the hardware required to run those workloads is shrinking. The HP Z2 Mini represents a fascinating combination of small size and high performance, shrinking what used to require a mid-tower into a chassis roughly the size of a two hardback novels. While it isn’t the smallest mini PC on the market, it differentiates itself by including an internal power supply and a cooling solution robust enough to handle high and sustained thermal design power levels.

Performance and Architecture: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395

The heart of the Z2 Mini is the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, a chip with impressive performance given its power demands. While it doesn’t quite catch the Ryzen 9 9950X3D with its 16 cores, double the cache, and a much higher boost clock, the gap was smaller than I anticipated for a platform with significantly less cooling volume.

It is worth noting that this the AI Max+ 395 is not a direct competitor to the top-tier 9950X3D in terms of raw compute; however, the inclusion of a dedicated NPU and a powerful integrated GPU gives the Z2 Mini an edge in specific Windows AI-accelerated workflows. The Z2 Mini’s performance is remarkably similar to HP’s own ZBook Ultra when that laptop — which also uses the same AI Max Pro processor — is plugged into a high-wattage adapter. This suggests that the ZBook Ultra laptop form factor is perhaps better engineered than I thought in my earlier review, although relying on a laptop plugged in 24/7 to hit peak performance remains an unrealistic scenario for most professional desk setups. (Like the ZBook Ultra, this machine also holds its own in gaming, performing admirably across modern titles — a nice side effect of the tightly integrated high-performance silicon and memory.)

Thermal Management and Acoustics

The Z2 Mini is designed to be versatile, featuring feet on both sides for horizontal or vertical orientation, so it can be easily tucked under a desk or mounted behind a monitor. Thermal imaging showed that the cooling solution is more than adequate to prevent throttling, even under heavy sustained loads.

There is a trade-off for this performance in such a small space: noise. While the machine remains essentially silent during standard productivity tasks, the fan can become quite loud when the system is pushed. Fortunately, the acoustic profile is stable, and it hits peak decibel levels only when the hardware is truly being taxed. The computer’s cooling system manages to keep temperatures relatively close to idle state, which prevents throttling and ensures stable performance.

AI Capabilities: Running 120B Models Locally

The Z2 Mini is among the smallest AI workstations I’ve tested. One of its most impressive feats was getting OpenAI’s OSS 120B model to run locally. AMD has streamlined this process significantly through the Ollama setup process, making it surprisingly accessible. AMD was extremely quick to help users adopt OpenClaw, offering a guide for a process that takes about an hour to configure OpenClaw on the Z2 Mini G1a running Qwen3.5 35B A3B.

For customers looking to use the Z2 Mini for professional graphics, video editing, or AI research, the maxed-out configuration of 128GB LPDDR5X memory is the only one worth considering. The unified memory architecture requires that much headroom to handle large language models and complex datasets effectively. This platform is a Windows-based solution, so it can run virtually any Windows application, unlike the ultra-compact NVIDIA DGX Spark, which runs its own OS.

I/O and Connectivity

The I/O suite of the Z2 Mini is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it features dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a healthy array of USB-A ports. On the other, the machine uses MiniDisplayPort (MiniDP) connectors. Although HP includes an adapter to convert to full-size DisplayPort, I would have much preferred native full-size connectors to reduce cable clutter. The I/O ports are also highly configurable and there is more room for other ports if you find them necessary.

The side-facing (or top-facing, if the box is oriented vertically) I/O is well-placed, providing easy access to a headphone jack, a USB-C port, and a 10Gbps USB-A port.

Bringing Compact AI to Windows

The Z2 Mini is a full desktop computer shrunken into a form factor that feels futuristic. It hits the sweet spot for researchers and creative professionals who need localized AI power without the footprint of a mid or full tower. While it can get loud and the MiniDP choice is slightly annoying, the sheer capability of running 120B models on something this small is a testament to how far workstation engineering has come and where it is headed.

The HP Z2 Mini G1a is the first desktop to embrace AMD’s platform, and it’s clear that HP worked very closely with AMD to deliver a solid system that punches well above its weight. Although AMD’s AI ecosystem isn’t quite as developed as NVIDIA’s for its DGX Spark, it does benefit from being able to power a Windows-native machine. There is significant user value in using a single computer both as a powerful workstation and to perform AI inference using models up to 120B parameters. As more applications embrace AI, I expect that platforms like the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 will become more popular for commercial applications, and users won’t have to sacrifice as much to take advantage of smaller form factors.