📰 New article from Retro Handhelds
AceMagic M1 Review: CPU Power Isn’t Everything
https://retrohandhelds.gg/acemagic-m1-review/
Let’s be real: if you’re buying a Mini PC in 2026, you’re not shopping—you’re scavenging. And the AceMagic M1? It’s like finding a Ferrari engine in a Razor scooter.
Intel’s i9-13900HK? Yeah, that’s power. 14 cores. 20 threads. Enough to run a small country’s tax system. But here’s the twist: it doesn’t feel like it. Geekbench scores are oddly low, and Intel’s Iris XE graphics? Solid for everyday stuff, decent for emulation (Wii U? Yep. PS3? Maybe if you’re patient). But ask it to run Bioshock Infinite—and it ghosts you. Meanwhile, a $200 NUC from 2021 outperforms it in Dirt 3. Weird? Yes. Tell your GPU.
The design? Plastic, noisy fan, screws buried under glued-on rubber feet—like someone built it in a garage while listening to Windows 95 startup sounds. And if you want RAM or storage? Better bring cash. Barebones starts at $329, but the real value is the fully loaded version… which, surprise, is sold out.
So who’s it for? Homelab nerds. Docker enthusiasts. People who think “I need 20 threads to check email.” Gamers? Stick with AMD. Retro fans? It’ll work—but you’ll spend more time tinkering than playing.
Bottom line: Power isn’t everything. Sometimes, it’s just… loud.