AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01

The AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 borrows its shape from the 1984 Apple Macintosh, down to the beige shell and the faux CRT front panel. Inside is an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with eight Zen 3 cores and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which covers everyday productivity, media streaming, and light gaming. AYANEO built its name on handheld gaming devices, and its first mini PC leads with design rather than raw specs. The box also holds magnetic decorative pieces, pixel art stickers, and disassembly tools, so setting it up feels closer to a kit than an appliance. It fits a desk that wants a charming daily machine, or an emulation station with period-correct looks.

Pros and Cons

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AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 Comparison Chart

	AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01	AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01	AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01
Price	List Price: $449.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $319.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $519.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Version	32GB/512GB	Barebone	32GB/1TB
Performance Rating	4.8	4.4	4.8
Operating System	Windows 11 Home	None (Barebone)	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	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz (max 4.50 Ghz) AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
GPU	Integrated Radeon RX Vega8 Graphics	Integrated Radeon RX Vega8 Graphics	Integrated Radeon RX Vega8 Graphics
RAM	32 GB DDR4, 2-channel	0 GB DDR4, 2-channel	32 GB DDR4, 2-channel
Internal Storage	512 GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD	0 GB None (Barebone)	1 TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD
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)	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)	1.07 lbs (0.49 kg)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2
Ethernet	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps
HDMI	1 Full-Size HDMI Port	1 Full-Size HDMI Port	1 Full-Size HDMI Port
DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort
VGA	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only), rear: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only), rear: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data only), rear: 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 2.0
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
OCuLink	No	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)	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	No Card Reader
Headphone Jack	combo	combo	combo
Fanless	No	No	No
VESA Mount	Yes	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	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.	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.

A Beige Macintosh Tribute With Two Drive Bays

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 recreates the Macintosh Classic II look, 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 stays barely audible during normal tasks, and the bottom of the unit is hollowed out for extra venting.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5825U inside is an eight-core, sixteen-thread processor clocking up to 4.5GHz with a PassMark score of approximately 18,350. This Zen 3 mobile chip covers office productivity, web browsing, and media playback, 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 its AYASpace software for adjusting TDP limits, fan speed curves, and performance overlays, which is how you shift the chip within its 15W-25W power envelope.

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. Drives go in two places: one M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 slot for an NVMe or SATA SSD, and a dedicated 2.5-inch SATA bay with the mounting bracket and cable in the box. Memory sits in dual DDR4 SODIMM slots that take up to 64GB, so barebone buyers pick their own modules.

Reviewer Insights

Retro Game Corps’ Perspective

Russ of Retro Game Corps noted that the device is “competitively priced especially when you look at others in the market with the same CPU,” positioning it as an 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.

On the teardown, Russ said, “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. 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 ran synthetic benchmarks and emulation tests on the AM01 and 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 measured thermals and noise alongside CPU-Z and Cinebench scores. 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.

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.

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 called the AM01 a successful first entry into the mini PC market for AYANEO and praised the compact form factor and the attention to design detail.

Buy It for the Case, and Set the Internals Once

The 1984 Macintosh homage and the Ryzen 7 5825U’s eight cores land this machine in retro gaming stations, NAS builds, media centers, and desks that want a conversation piece. The dual DDR4 slots plus the M.2 and 2.5-inch SATA options give barebone buyers room to build the configuration they want. AYANEO has continued building on this design-first approach; our flip-screen mini PC roundup covers where that direction is heading.

Reaching the internals means removing the CPU heat sink, so plan on setting up RAM and storage once rather than swapping parts later. Buyers who need faster networking, USB-C video output, or a current-generation processor should look instead at Beelink’s lineup or the GMKtec NucBox K7.

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

Frequently Asked Questions