The GMKtec EVO-X3 is a compact, high-performance mini PC designed for users who need to run complex AI models locally, without relying on cloud computing. It features the powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, paired with the Radeon 8060S graphics card and a 50-TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which is specialized for AI tasks. The system comes with 128GB of LPDDR5X unified memory, allowing it to handle large AI models efficiently. In the US, the base model starts at $3,799.99, while in the UK, it is priced at £3,029. The EVO-X3 has a sleek, vertical design with a metal enclosure and ventilation on both sides to ensure effective cooling during heavy workloads. It includes three heat pipes and multiple fans to maintain performance during prolonged use. The front of the unit offers USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the rear includes advanced ports like HDMI 2.1, USB4 (40Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), OCuLink PCIe 4.0 x4, and a 2.5GbE RJ-45 network port. The OCuLink port allows users to connect an external graphics card, though it does not support hot plugging, meaning the card must be connected when the system is off. Storage options include a 2TB or 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD, with two additional internal slots that can expand the total capacity to up to 16TB. The system runs Windows 11 Pro and supports Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, offering flexibility for different user needs. It also includes GMKtec’s Claw local-AI environment, which simplifies the deployment of AI models and agents with just one click. However, users initially encountered compatibility issues with the Herdsman model manager, which required installing additional software like Lemonade and the Ryzen AI runtime to fully leverage the NPU's capabilities. Performance benchmarks highlight the EVO-X3’s strong CPU and GPU performance, with high scores across multiple tests. When properly configured, the system demonstrated significant processing power with AI models like Qwen-2.5-1.5B-Instruct-NPU and gpt-oss-20b-NPU. This makes the EVO-X3 ideal for professionals and developers who need to run large AI models locally and handle sensitive data without cloud infrastructure. However, due to the need for additional setup and technical knowledge, the EVO-X3 is best suited for experienced users, such as developers and creative professionals who are familiar with AI workflows.