Small desktop PCs have stopped being niche curiosities: they’re now viable workstations and AI-capable boxes that fit on a bookshelf. That’s why GMKtec’s EVO T-2 matters beyond hobbyists in Russia – it’s among the first mini‑PCs publicized on Intel’s Panther Lake platform and packs a flagship Core Ultra X9 388H. For international readers this signals Intel’s Series 3 silicon finally arriving in tiny chassis optimized for mixed workloads: gaming, content creation, and on‑device generative AI. The EVO T-2 promises high memory capacity, roomy storage, and modern I/O – attributes that make compact systems relevant for remote teams, creative studios, and edge AI deployments where space, power draw, and thermal headroom are constrained. If GMKtec can balance performance, cooling, and pricing, the EVO T-2 could reframe expectations for what a mini‑PC can do in 2026, especially as integrated Arc graphics gain muscle and LPDDR5X memory ceilings rise without a bulky desktop tower.
GMKtec was one of the first companies to show a mini‑PC built on Intel’s Panther Lake platform after Intel’s official announcement. The new model is called GMK EVO T-2 and is being positioned as a ”desktop AI supercomputer of the second generation.” The company confirmed the system will ship with the flagship Intel Core Ultra X9 388H from Series 3.
According to GMKtec, the chip offers better energy efficiency compared with top Arrow Lake solutions, and the integrated Arc B390 graphics can comfortably run most modern AAA games at 1080p. GMKtec emphasizes the EVO T-2 is aimed not only at gamers but also at generative AI workloads and professional use.
At CES 2026 the maker said the mini‑PC can be configured with up to 128 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage is handled by two PCIe M.2 slots supporting drives with a combined capacity of up to 16 TB.
Interfaces listed include full‑feature USB4, 10‑gigabit Ethernet and OCuLink. The unit also supports output to four 4K displays simultaneously. GMKtec says there will be various power configurations with a dynamic TDP up to 80 W, and the cooling system is pitched as high‑performance and efficient.
The EVO T-2 was initially reported to arrive in the first quarter of 2026, but exact timing and pricing are still undisclosed. A recent teaser hints at an imminent full launch. For comparison, the previous EVO‑T1 launched at a starting price of $999.99.
For Russian readers: GMKtec has built a following in small‑form‑factor circles here thanks to the EVO‑T1, so the EVO T-2’s CES showing is being watched closely. A quick note on terminology – Panther Lake is Intel’s Series 3 platform name that follows Arrow Lake, and OCuLink is a compact PCIe link interface sometimes used for external expansion and high‑speed device attachment (it’s less commonly referenced in mainstream specs outside enthusiast forums).
Conclusion and analysis
GMKtec’s EVO T-2 looks like a serious attempt to push Intel’s new Series 3 silicon into the mini‑PC mainstream. The combination of a Core Ultra X9 388H, Arc B390 iGPU, up to 128 GB LPDDR5X and two M.2 slots with up to 16 TB of combined storage gives it a flexible spec sheet: enough memory for heavy multitasking and AI inference, and enough storage headroom for large projects. The Arc B390’s claimed ability to handle most AAA titles at 1080p makes this a credible all‑rounder for gamers who want a compact machine without a discrete GPU.
There are open questions: sustained performance will depend heavily on the cooling implementation and how well GMKtec manages the dynamic TDP ceiling of up to 80 W. That 80 W ceiling is promising for heavier workloads, but in a tiny chassis thermal throttling is always a practical risk. Pricing will be decisive – the EVO‑T1 started at $999.99, which set expectations; if the EVO T-2 lands near that figure with these upgrades it could undercut competing compact workstations, but higher pricing would narrow its appeal.
In short, the EVO T-2 could matter for anyone who needs a compact, relatively powerful desktop for mixed workloads – from creators and streamers to edge AI developers and small studios. Expect more clarity once GMKtec confirms launch timing and pricing, but for now the EVO T-2 is one of the more interesting mini‑PC previews to come out of CES 2026.