GMKtec’s NucBox EVO X1 PRO pushes compact computing forward with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 and 64GB of RAM, though its $1,599 starting price demands serious hardware ambitions. On the laptop front, the XMG Pro 16 (M25) champions rare internal upgradability alongside a Mini LED panel, while the Geekom GeekBook M16 trades an impressive 17-hour battery life for an out-of-the-box display that still needs calibration. Peripheral drops round out the week, featuring a $199 secondary touchscreen from ASUS, a clean 850W power supply from EINAREX, and a dual-lens document camera that turns any laptop into a streaming setup. Meanwhile, ARC System Works earns serious praise for MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, delivering one of the studio’s most accessible yet deep fighters to date.
Today’s Tech Roundup: Mini PCs Punch Up, Flagship OLEDs Drop, and Arc System Works Unleashes a New Marvel Fighter
The hardware world keeps shrinking on one end while expanding on the other. Today's review batch opens with GMKtec’s new mini PC packing an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 into a chassis that costs a pretty penny, alongside two other laptops that make very different promises. Then there is a 12.3-inch secondary touchscreen from ASUS that does not actually play games, a 32-inch OLED flagship that does, and an eight-hundred-watt power supply that looks like it belongs on a shelf.
Keep in mind that GMKtec is not exactly known for budget builds. The NucBox EVO X1 PRO starts at $1,599, and that price buys you 64GB of LPDDR5X memory and the full force of AMD’s latest AI processor. Mini PCs have been getting dangerously competent for the past two years. The EVO X1 PRO is just the latest proof that you can run modern workloads without a full-size tower, assuming you do not mind paying a premium for the convenience.
Wccftech: GMKtec NucBox EVO X1 PRO “AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470” Mini PC Review: Gorgon Dials Up The CPU Horsepower In Compact PCs
GMKtec's EVO X1 PRO Mini PC with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 offers strong CPU performance, 64GB LPDDR5X memory, and starts at $1599.
Next, the XMG Pro 16 (M25) makes the opposite move. The 16-inch notebook swaps raw size for a Mini LED panel, an RGB keyboard, and a chassis that actually lets you swap out components down the line. Upgradability in gaming laptops used to be a myth. XMG is treating it like a guarantee.
TechPowerUp: XMG Pro 16 (M25) Review - The Mini LED Rocketship
The XMG Pro 16 (M25) packs impressive power into a sleek 16-inch design. With a vibrant Mini-LED display, an RGB keyboard, and a premium build, it's perfect for both gaming and creative tasks. Plus, its modern upgradability and extensive I/O options ensure it stays relevant for years to come.
The Geekom GeekBook M16 takes yet another path. IgorsLAB’s review highlights nearly 17 hours of battery life on a single charge. That kind of stamina is genuinely impressive for a machine this size. The catch is the screen. Out of box calibration is off, and the missing Ethernet port means you will likely need an adapter anyway. It has potential, but Geekom still has some fine-tuning to do.
IgorsLAB: Geekom GeekBook M16 Review: Display with Potential
The Geekom GeekBook M16 delivers almost 17 hours of battery life, but its poorly calibrated display out of the box and missing LAN port are drawbacks.
Making the Inside Look Good
If you are building a rig or upgrading an existing one, the ancillary parts rarely get the glory. NZXT changes that with the Kraken Core 360 RGB. It is the brand’s entry level liquid cooler, which means it leaves out the fancy smart displays found on the premium models. Instead, NZXT puts A-RGB lighting directly into the fans and pump housing. The design is straightforward. The price is reasonable. It does not scream for attention, but it will light up the inside of your case without breaking the bank.
OCInside.de: NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB Review
The Kraken Core RGB series represents NZXT’s entry level offering in the world of CPU liquid coolers. The Core series focuses on functional design with an attractive appearance at a reasonable price. While the Kraken Core liquid cooler doesn’t feature a smart display, thanks to integrated A-RGB lighting in the fans and the pump housing, even NZXT’s entry level model knows how to make a statement. Our review below reveals everything else you need to know about the new Kraken Core liquid cooler.
EINAREX is taking a similar approach with its NEXUS L1 850W power supply. NikKTech found that the unit balances visual refinement with solid electrical delivery. It is clearly aimed at builders who care about how their case looks when the side panel is off. Not every 850-watt brick needs to look like a spaceship. Sometimes you just want a clean aesthetic that actually performs.
NikKTech: EINAREX NEXUS L1 850W Power Supply Unit Review
EINAREX’s NEXUS L1 850W aims to merge visual refinement with practical power delivery, keeping the brand’s design DNA intact. It’s a PSU with a defined style and a specific target user.
The monitor space is splitting into two very clear lanes today. On one side, ASUS dropped the ROG Strix XG129C. At $199, the 12.3-inch touchscreen sells itself as a secondary display. TweakTown’s review nails the use case. You are not going to use it for gaming. It is built for stream overlays, system monitoring, or just keeping a second browser tab open while you work. It is a gadget first, monitor second.
TweakTown: ASUS ROG Strix XG129C Review: A $199 Gaming Monitor You Don't Play Games On
The ASUS ROG Strix XG129C is a compact 12.3-inch touchscreen secondary display built for monitoring, controls, streaming, and multitasking.
ASUS ROG Strix XG129C Review: A $199 Gaming Monitor You Don't Play Games On
On the other side sits the ROG Swift PG32UCWM. Tom's Hardware calls it a flagship OLED, and the specs back that up. Thirty-two inches of premium imagery, top-tier refresh rates, and the kind of panel tech that makes HDR actually look like HDR. If you want a screen that dominates your desk, this is the one to watch.
Tom's Hardware: Asus ROG Swift PG32UCWM 32-inch OLED gaming monitor review: A flagship display with premium performance and imagery
Asus delivers another flagship OLED with the ROG Swift PG32UCWM.
AVerMedia is tackling the streaming angle from a different direction with the DualCam PW313D. Two cameras on a single mount means you can show your face and your desk at the same time. TechPowerUp tested it with textbooks, keyboards, and basically anything you would throw under a laptop. It turns a standard setup into a proper document camera rig without needing a $400 overhead mount. Simple. Functional.
TechPowerUp: AVerMedia DualCam (PW313D) Review - Seeing Double
Two cameras, one mount: the AVerMedia DualCam (PW313D) shows your face and your desk simultaneously, turning any laptop into a document camera setup. We tested how well it handles books, keyboards, or everything else you might want to put under it.
One Game Stands Out
Not every day brings a new fighting game worth your time. Arc System Works managed to do exactly that with MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Wccftech called it one of the best titles the studio has ever released, and the hands-on time backs that up. The game keeps the series’ signature speed while adding layers that make it genuinely deep for veterans. Newcomers can still pick it up without feeling lost. It is a rare balance, and the studio clearly spent the time getting it right.
Wccftech: MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Review - One Of The Best Fighting Games Ever Made By Arc System Works
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is one of the best fighting games ever released by Arc System Works, deep and accessible at the same time like few others
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Review - One Of The Best Fighting Games Ever Made By Arc System Works
That covers the major review drops for today. The GMKtec mini PC is priced for enthusiasts who want maximum compute in minimal space. XMG and Geekom are proving that laptops still have room for experimentation. The monitors and peripherals round out a day where everything from PSUs to document cameras is getting a thoughtful refresh.
