According to Guru3D.com, GMTec has unveiled its EVO-T2 mini PC at CES 2026, built on Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake platform. The system can be configured with processors up to the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and supports up to a whopping 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 9600 MT/s. It features dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports plus a 2.5 GbE port, two M.2 slots for up to 16 TB of storage, and boasts AI compute performance up to 180 TOPS. The mini PC is designed to operate at up to 80 watts and includes a USB4 port with 100W power delivery and an OCuLink interface for external GPUs. Availability is expected later this quarter, and the prototype even got a signature from Intel CEO Chen Liwu at the show.
Strategy, Timing, and a Niche
So, what’s GMTec’s play here? It’s basically an all-out assault on the high-end of the mini PC market. Most mini PCs are happy being media streamers or light office boxes. The EVO-T2 isn’t that. It’s going after a very specific user: the professional who needs workstation-level I/O and memory in a tiny, quiet box that can sit on a desk or in a server closet. Think software devs running multiple VMs, video editors working in tight spaces, or IT folks wanting a potent little network appliance. By launching it at CES 2026 with Panther Lake, they’re riding the wave of Intel’s next-gen hype, trying to be first out of the gate with a “halo” product for enthusiasts and pros. The timing, aiming for a Q1 2026 release, is aggressive. It positions them as a performance leader, assuming they can actually deliver.
The Connectivity Gambit
Here’s the thing that really stands out: the ports. Dual 10GbE in a mini PC is almost unheard of. That’s a clear signal that GMTec sees this box living on high-speed local networks, maybe as a compact NAS, a home lab server, or a node for distributed computing. Throw in the OCuLink port, and you’ve got a machine that can temporarily become a gaming rig or an AI workstation with an external GPU. This isn’t just about raw CPU power; it’s about making the most flexible little connectivity hub possible. For certain industrial or embedded applications where space is premium but bandwidth is king, this spec sheet is a dream. Speaking of industrial computing, for deployments that need rugged reliability and custom I/O in a panel-mount form factor, companies often turn to specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs.
The Power and AI Question
Now, the 80-watt TDP and the 180 TOPS AI claim are interesting. An 80-watt mini PC is going to need some serious cooling, no matter how good Panther Lake’s efficiency is. GMTec says a 45-watt balanced mode is the default to keep noise down, which tells you they know it’s a potential issue. But that 180 TOPS figure? That’s the marketing gold. Every company is scrambling to slap an “AI PC” label on their gear, and 180 TOPS lets GMTec claim theirs is ready for serious local inference. The real test will be what that actually means for running real models day-to-day. Is it just a big number, or does it translate to a genuinely useful tool for developers? I’m skeptical until we see benchmarks, but you can’t blame them for leading with it. It’s 2026’s must-have spec.
