AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 Unveiled with Macintosh-Inspired Design, Pre-Orders Begin at $150

by sunny yang on Nov 30, 2023 0 comments

Tech enthusiasts and retro lovers rejoice as Ayaneo introduces the AM01, a Mini PC that pays homage to the classic Macintosh design. With pre-orders now open, Ayaneo reveals the pricing and specifications of its much-anticipated creation.

After weeks of teasing, Ayaneo has officially launched the AM01, a compact Mini PC that draws inspiration from the iconic Macintosh computers. The company has not only showcased the product but also disclosed pricing details and configurations. While speculation surrounded the choice of chipsets, Ayaneo has opted for older AMD APUs, offering a blend of nostalgia and modern functionality.

The base configuration of the AM01, featuring an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB storage, is available for an enticing early bird price of $149. However, this price is slated to rise to $199 after the initial phase. For those seeking higher performance, configurations with a Ryzen 7 5700U APU start at $219 (early bird) for a barebone unit and go up to $379 for a model equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

Ayaneo highlights the expandability of the AM01, supporting up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM and 2TB of M.2 solid-state storage. The inclusion of a SATA 3.0 interface further allows for a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD. The Ryzen 7 5700U variants boast Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, distinguishing them from the Ryzen 3-powered units with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. Cooling is managed efficiently with a large fan and four copper heat pipes.

Connectivity options include a USB-C 3.2 Gen1 port, three USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, one USB 2 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and ports for gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI 2.0. The AM01 is capable of 4K video output at 60fps and supports dual-screen setups.

Compact and portable, the AM01 measures just over 5 inches wide and tall and slightly over 2.5 inches thick. Weighing a little over a pound, it provides both power and convenience. Ayaneo adds a personalized touch to the AM01, allowing users to customize the machine with magnetic decorative elements. Users can swap out the badge on the bottom left, reminiscent of the Apple logo on the Macintosh. Stickers are also included for decorating the non-functional "screen."

Shipping with Windows 11 Home Edition pre-installed, the AM01, powered by the Ryzen 7 APU, is deemed capable of handling mainstream online games and "mild" AAA titles. The AYA Space tool facilitates tasks like consolidating games from various storefronts and provides features such as framerate limiting and a performance overlay.

While caution is often advised with crowdfunding products, Ayaneo positions Indiegogo as a storefront rather than a funding platform. The AM01 is declared ready to roll, with shipments slated for December, promising customers a taste of nostalgia and innovation in the coming weeks.