Most mini PCs give you two M.2 slots and expect you to make do. The GMKtec EVO-T1 gives you three — and for photographers, that changes what the machine can be. Scratch disk, working projects and archive, all internal, all on PCIe 4.0. Details are on the official GMKtec EVO-T1 page.
It runs Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285H, a 16-core Arrow Lake-H chip reaching 5.4GHz, with Intel Arc 140T integrated graphics and an AI Boost NPU. GMKtec quotes up to 99 TOPS of combined AI performance across CPU, GPU and NPU. Notebookcheck’s testing found it outperformed the Geekom Mini IT15 using the same processor, thanks to a higher 80W power ceiling and a larger chassis with room for better cooling — a useful reminder that the chip on the box is only half the story.
Three drives, and why that matters
The triple M.2 arrangement is the standout. A common frustration with compact machines is being forced to choose between fast working storage and capacity; with three slots you can run a fast scratch disk for Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve renders, a second drive for active projects, and a third for your Lightroom catalogue and archive. All internal, all fast, no external enclosures cluttering the desk.
Intel’s Arc 140T graphics are a decent partner for that. Arc has consistently been strong at video encode and decode, which is what governs whether a timeline plays back smoothly and how quickly an export finishes. For 4K editing, colour work in Lightroom and layered files in Photoshop, this is comfortably capable hardware.
Expansion is well covered with both OCuLink and USB4, so an external GPU is an option if your work outgrows the integrated graphics, and there is dual 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt-class connectivity. A VESA mount and a compact 150W power supply are included.
Where it sits now
The EVO-T1 has been superseded by the newer EVO-T2S, which brings Panther Lake, Arc B390 graphics and 10GbE networking — and that is precisely why the T1 is worth a look. It has been available since mid-2025 and now sells for around $999, roughly half the T2S. For anyone who does not need 10 Gigabit networking, that is a considerable amount of computer for the money.
The two caveats are consistent across reviews: the plastic construction feels less premium than aluminium rivals, and networking tops out at 2.5G. Neither is a problem if your media lives on internal drives — which, with three M.2 slots, it comfortably can.
GMKtec EVO-T1: Specifications
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (Arrow Lake-H), 16 cores, up to 5.4GHz; 80W PL2 short burst, 70W PL1 sustained.
Graphics: Intel Arc 140T integrated.
AI: Intel AI Boost NPU; up to 99 TOPS combined across CPU, GPU and NPU.
Memory: 64GB DDR5.
Storage: three M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots.
Networking: dual 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7.
Expansion: OCuLink for external GPU, USB4.
Dimensions: 154 x 151 x 73.6mm, 910g.
Included: VESA mount and 150W power supply.
Other: RGB fan lighting with 13 modes, Wake on LAN.
GMKtec EVO-T1: Price and availability
The EVO-T1 has been available since mid-2025 and currently sells for around $999, with pricing having fallen since the launch of the EVO-T2S. UK pricing varies by retailer and configuration — check current pricing before purchase.
