AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

Published on February 10, 2026

The AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 is one of the most visually distinctive mini PCs on the market, drawing unmistakable inspiration from the legendary 1984 Apple Macintosh. Built around the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with eight Zen 3 cores, this compact system handles everyday productivity, media streaming, and even light gaming with its integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. AYANEO, best known for its handheld gaming devices, made a bold entrance into the mini PC space by leading with design rather than raw specs. The AM01 ships with a generous accessory bundle that includes magnetic decorative pieces, pixel art stickers, and disassembly tools, giving the unboxing experience an almost hobbyist quality. Whether you need a charming desktop companion for daily tasks or a conversation-starting emulation station, the AM01 offers a compelling blend of nostalgia and modern utility.

Pros and Cons of the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

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AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 Comparison Chart

	AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01	AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01
Price	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Version	32GB/512GB	Barebone
Perfomance Rating	7.7	7.1
Operating System	Windows 11 Home	Windows 11 Home
Processor	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 4.50 Ghz) AMD Ryzen 7 5825U	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 4.50 Ghz) AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
GPU	Integrated Radeon RX Vega8 Graphics	Integrated Radeon RX Vega8 Graphics
RAM	32 GB DDR4, 2-channel	0 GB DDR4, 2-channel
Internal Storage	512 GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD	0 GB None (Barebone)
Dimensions width x length x thickness	5.2 x 5.2 x 2.38 inches (132.08 x 132.08 x 60.45 mm)	5.2 x 5.2 x 2.38 inches (132.08 x 132.08 x 60.45 mm)
Weight	1.07 lbs (0.49 kg)	1.07 lbs (0.49 kg)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2
Ethernet	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps
HDMI	1 Full-Size HDMI Port	1 Full-Size HDMI Port
DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort
VGA	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Internal SATA Ports	1 SATA port, includes 2.5" drive bay (2.5-inch SATA bay with included bracket and cable)	1 SATA port, includes 2.5" drive bay (2.5-inch SATA bay with included bracket and cable)
Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader
Headphone Jack	combo	combo
Fanless	No	No
VESA Mount	Yes	Yes
In the Box	AYANEO AM01 Mini PC, 72W power adapter, regional AC plug adapters, HDMI cable, 2.5-inch SATA bracket and cable, magnetic decorative pieces, pixel art stickers, screwdrivers, screws, instruction manual	AYANEO AM01 Mini PC, 72W power adapter, regional AC plug adapters, HDMI cable, 2.5-inch SATA bracket and cable, magnetic decorative pieces, pixel art stickers, screwdrivers, screws, instruction manual
Expandability	Dual DDR4 SODIMM slots (up to 64GB), M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe/SATA slot, 2.5-inch SATA bay. Note: upgrading requires removing the CPU heat sink due to a hidden screw.	Dual DDR4 SODIMM slots (up to 64GB), M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe/SATA slot, 2.5-inch SATA bay. Note: upgrading requires removing the CPU heat sink due to a hidden screw.

Detailed Insights into the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

The AM01 measures 5.2 x 5.2 x 2.38 inches and weighs just 1.07 pounds, making it smaller than an Xbox controller and light enough to tuck behind a monitor using the included VESA mount. The beige plastic chassis faithfully recreates the Macintosh Classic II aesthetic, complete with a faux CRT screen, a decorative floppy disk drive slot that doubles as a power button area, and a rainbow-striped AYANEO logo. The front panel houses a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, while a small status LED sits near the floppy slot. Side ventilation slits feed a single internal fan that remains barely audible during normal tasks. AYANEO’s attention to detail extends to the bottom of the unit, where extensive hollow venting helps maintain thermals without compromising the retro look.

At the heart of the AM01 sits the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, an eight-core, sixteen-thread processor clocking up to 4.5GHz with a PassMark score of approximately 18,350. This Zen 3 mobile chip handles office productivity, web browsing, and media playback without breaking a sweat, and it also provides capable emulation performance covering GameCube, PS2, and even some Wii U titles according to Retro Game Corps. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics manage light PC gaming at reduced settings, though modern AAA titles like Doom Eternal require significant compromises. AYANEO bundles their AYASpace software, which provides a convenient interface for adjusting TDP limits, fan speed curves, and performance overlays, letting users squeeze more performance from the 15W-25W power envelope when needed.

Connectivity covers the essentials without reaching premium territory. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 handle wireless duties, while a single Gigabit Ethernet port provides wired networking. The rear panel offers three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB-A 2.0 port, HDMI 2.0 output, and DisplayPort 1.4, supporting dual 4K displays at 60Hz. Storage expansion is a strength, with one M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 slot for NVMe or SATA SSDs and a dedicated 2.5-inch SATA bay complete with the included mounting bracket and cable. The dual DDR4 SODIMM slots support up to 64GB of RAM, giving barebone buyers full flexibility in configuring their memory.

Reviewer Insights on the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

Retro Game Corps’ Perspective

Retro Game Corps delivered a thorough hands-on review focusing on the AM01’s value proposition within the budget mini PC market. Russ noted that the device is “competitively priced especially when you look at others in the market with the same CPU,” positioning it as a genuine alternative to established brands like Beelink. He tested the closely related Ryzen 7 5700U variant and found solid performance across emulation platforms, making it a natural fit for retro gaming setups that match the device’s vintage aesthetic.

However, the teardown portion revealed a significant design flaw: “The process is way more involved than it should be and so overall I do consider this to be a negative point.” A hidden fourth screw beneath the CPU heat sink means any RAM or storage upgrade requires removing the cooling assembly, voiding the warranty in the process. Despite this frustration, Russ praised the comprehensive instruction manual, the magnetic chicklet color customization options, and the overall build quality for the price. His assessment framed the AM01 as a competent performer at the $200-$300 mark, best suited for users who value the design and don’t plan frequent hardware swaps.

ETA PRIME’s Perspective

ETA PRIME approached the AM01 with an emphasis on emulation and gaming performance, testing it across synthetic benchmarks and real-world game scenarios. He described it as “the coolest little computer that I’ve ever set my eyes on” and highlighted the 5700U model as the sweet spot for value, recommending the 16GB RAM configuration for most users. His benchmark results confirmed capable Cinebench and 3DMark scores that track well against competing mini PCs in the price bracket.

The review pointed out that the Ryzen 3 3200U entry-level model is overpriced compared to Intel N100 alternatives, steering buyers toward the Ryzen 7 variants for meaningful performance. ETA PRIME appreciated the abundant accessory bundle and the retro design flourishes but shared the frustration about the upgrade process, calling it “next level nonsense” when describing the hidden screw under the heat sink. His overall assessment recommended the AM01 for users seeking a distinctively styled emulation and light gaming machine, while acknowledging that raw performance per dollar isn’t its strongest selling point.

3C Reviews’ Perspective

3C Reviews focused on the AM01’s thermal design and daily usability, providing detailed benchmark data including CPU-Z and Cinebench scores alongside thermal and noise measurements. The reviewer was impressed by the cooling solution, noting that “the fan barely spins during daily use and during stress test there’s noise that can be noticed but it’s very minimal.” The extensive case hollowing for ventilation was called out as a thoughtful engineering detail that keeps temperatures in check.

On the design front, the review highlighted a practical trade-off: standing the unit vertically shows the appealing retro front but exposes messy rear cables, while laying it flat hides the design element that makes the AM01 special. The AYASpace software earned praise for making TDP adjustments, fan curves, and game management straightforward. 3C Reviews’ benchmarks confirmed strong Zen 3 multi-threaded performance for productivity tasks, positioning the AM01 as a capable everyday machine with the bonus of a head-turning aesthetic.

XDA Developers

According to XDA Developers, the AM01 earned an 8 out of 10 rating with the verdict that it’s “a genuinely great mini PC at a killer price.” Reviewer Adam Conway praised the build quality, the striking retro look, and the affordable entry point. He particularly appreciated the sustainability angle, noting that “taking aging hardware and plugging it into new things is great from a sustainability point of view.” The main concerns were potential after-sales issues, some initial software quirks with AYASpace, and the reality that the Ryzen 5000-series hardware is a generation behind the latest.

HotHardware

HotHardware described the AM01 as delivering “cool, compact, computing fun,” with reviewer Zak Killian praising the cute retro aesthetic as the device’s standout feature. The review positioned the AM01 as a successful first entry into the mini PC market for AYANEO, appreciating the compact form factor and the attention to design detail that sets it apart from the sea of generic black boxes.

Across all reviews, the consensus is clear: the AYANEO AM01 wins hearts with its distinctive Macintosh-inspired design and generous accessory bundle, while delivering perfectly adequate Ryzen 7 performance for the price. The universal criticism targets the unnecessarily difficult upgrade process, which feels at odds with selling a barebone configuration. Reviewers agree it’s best suited for users who value aesthetics and don’t need the absolute fastest hardware.

Customer Reviews of the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

Amazon customers have rated the AYANEO AM01 3.3 out of 5 stars based on 4 reviews, reflecting a polarized reception. The highest-rated reviews praise the system’s retro design, quiet operation, and surprising versatility, with one buyer repurposing it as a powerful NAS and Plex media center running OpenNAS. Another customer describes it as an “attractive retro gaming PC” with a competitive price-to-performance ratio, noting minimal bloatware and sufficient power for gaming across multiple launchers on a 120Hz monitor.

On the negative side, one buyer reported being unable to get the device to recognize a bootable USB drive for a fresh Windows installation, which blocked their setup entirely. A design quirk was also noted: when the unit is positioned vertically as shown in marketing materials, the front USB-C port becomes physically blocked. These early reviews suggest the AM01 delivers on its design promise but may present occasional BIOS or compatibility hurdles for some configurations.

The small review sample means the rating should be taken with a grain of salt, but the pattern mirrors professional reviewer findings: those who appreciate the aesthetic and find the right use case are enthusiastic, while compatibility issues can lead to frustration.

Conclusion

The AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 occupies a unique niche in the mini PC market as a device that leads with personality. Its faithful homage to the 1984 Macintosh, combined with the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U’s capable eight-core performance, makes it a natural fit for retro gaming stations, NAS builds, media centers, or anyone who simply wants a conversation piece on their desk. The dual DDR4 slots and combined M.2 plus 2.5-inch SATA storage options provide genuine expandability for barebone buyers willing to configure their own system.

That said, buyers who prioritize easy upgradability should be aware of the notoriously difficult teardown process that requires removing the CPU heat sink to access internal components. Users who need faster networking, USB-C video output, or current-generation processor performance would be better served by alternatives from brands like Beelink or the GMKtec NucBox K7. The AM01 is best understood not as a pure specs play, but as a lovingly crafted tribute to computing history that happens to pack enough modern muscle for daily tasks.

For those comparing options, see our Mini PC Comparison Chart to find the best match for your needs.

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