The Mac Mini Killer - Minisforum UM773
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Description
Purchase your own Devil Skin Backplate for your PowerColor Red Devil 7900 GPU today at powercolor.com shop.powercolor.com Jake was impressed with the price-to-performance ratio of the Mac Mini, but Minisforum is here to strike back with their new UM773. With an accessible price point, solid specs/IO, and a tiny form factor, is this the mini PC to beat, or should you stick with Apple's M2-powered computer?
Promos
Check out the Minisforum UM773: US: bit.ly EU: bit.ly Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: lmg.gg ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► PRODUCTS WE USE ON THE SHORTCIRCUIT SET: lmg.gg FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 The Mac Mini USED to look good... 0:20 Unboxing 3:17 IO walkthrough 5:03 Sponsor - PowerColor 5:28 Powering it on and checking specs 7:22 Fan noise, TDP, and SSD/CPU tests 11:03 Gaming - Apex Legends and CS:GO 12:38 Comparison to the Pico PC and potential use cases 13:31 Teardown 16:18 Overall thoughts 16:41 Outro
The video opens with a direct comparison to the Mac Mini M2, framing the Minisforum UM773 as a true competitor in the small form factor PC space. The host highlights the price-to-performance advantage, noting that with higher RAM and storage, the UM773 remains cheaper while delivering more performance. The unboxing sequence emphasizes the device's ultra-compact footprint, a tiny form factor that appears even smaller than the Mac Mini, and proceeds to inspect included accessories such as the stand, VESA mount, cables, and a user-friendly but minimal manual. The IO layout is unveiled in detail, revealing a surprisingly rich set of ports for a compact machine, including 2.5 Gb Ethernet, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, dual HDMI 2.0 outputs, and a 19V external power brick, underscoring the system’s target as a versatile HTPC or compact workstation. The host also discusses practical aspects of usage, like possible BIOS options, RAM and SSD replaceability, and the unique 2.5 inch drive slot, which all point to strong upgrade paths and flexibility despite the SFF form factor. The segment transitions into a discussion about cooling, heat pipes, and the overall build quality, acknowledging that while the keyboard and monitor-oriented use case dominates, the UM773 remains a very capable machine for everyday tasks, light gaming, and media duties. Overall, the host concludes that the Minisforum UM773 delivers a compelling alternative to mainstream mini PCs and Mac-based options, especially for users who value upgradeability and diverse IO without sacrificing too much in size or price, though it may not fully replace a high-end Mac depending on software ecosystem needs.
Topics · technology · hardware · mini PC · unboxing · review · gaming · home theater PC
Questions answered
- What is the Minisforum UM773 primarily best at, according to the video?
- The UM773 is portrayed as a strong all-around compact PC that excels in upgradeability, IO capabilities, and solid CPU/GPU performance for 1080p gaming, media serving, and basic 3D tasks.
- How does the UM773 compare to the Mac Mini in terms of pricing and performance?
- The host argues that with similar or greater RAM and storage, the UM773 can be cheaper than the Mac Mini M2 while delivering more performance in some configurations.
- Can you upgrade RAM and storage easily in the UM773?
- Yes, the design allows RAM and a 2.5 inch SSD to be upgraded, though the teardown notes that the bottom clips and feet could be more user-friendly for easy access.
- Is the UM773 suitable for high-end gaming?
- It can handle esports titles at 1080p with reasonable settings, but it is not a high-end gaming rig; the GPU and thermal limits cap more demanding titles.