GMKtec EVO-T2 Arrives at CES 2026: When 18A Meets 180 TOPS, the Mini PC Category Grows Up

Wednesday, 07 January 2026 at 03:39

CES is certainly no stranger to bold claims in the computing segment. We often see the launch of very interesting devices at the annual fair. At CES 2026, the product that certainly grabbed some attention is the GMKtec EVO-T2. Those who know GMKtec and its expertise in the field of mini PCs know this is no mistake. Another interesting product arrived. It's a compact desktop that aims to revamp the “mini PC” in the age of local AI.

The GMKtec EVO-T2 is the first consumer device built around Intel’s 18A (1.8nm) process. It carries the brand-new Core Ultra X9 388H (Panther Lake), and is capable of pushing up to 180 TOPS of on-device AI performance. Those numbers matter in the current trend of AI technology.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan didn’t just stop by the GMKtec booth for a photo op. He tested the system, praised it publicly, and personally signed the EVO-T2 prototype. It's a rare, symbolic nod that signals this machine is more than a niche experiment.

GMKtec EVO-T2 Embraces Intel's 18A Tech

Intel’s 18A process has been talked about for years as the cornerstone of its “Five Nodes in Four Years” comeback strategy. With Panther Lake, it’s now rea! The GMKtec EVO-T2 is the first consumer system to put that silicon directly in users’ hands.

Two technologies define this leap:

RibbonFET (GAA) transistors wrap the channel on all sides, improving switching precision while cutting leakage.
PowerVia backside power delivery separates power from signal routing, boosting density and reducing voltage drop by roughly 30%.

The result is a rare combination: higher performance and dramatically better efficiency. Intel claims over 10% single-thread gains, 40% lower power consumption at equivalent performance, and a 50% graphics uplift versus Lunar Lake. In a compact desktop, those gains aren’t theoretical. They’re the difference between throttling and sustained performance.

180 TOPS Changes the Meaning of “Local AI”

AI performance figures are often abstract, but 180 TOPS is a number with real consequences. On the EVO-T2, it means running large, multimodal generative models locally, without cloud dependency, added latency, or privacy compromises.

For developers, creators, and power users, this turns the EVO-T2 into something closer to a personal AI workstation than a traditional mini PC. GMKtec positions it as a “pocket AI computing center,” and that description fits: fast inference, low latency, and full control over data.

Gaming and media workloads benefit, too. With Intel Arc B390 graphics (Xe3 architecture) and XeSS 3.0 multi-frame generation, GMKtec claims up to 120 FPS high-refresh experiences with just a 3 ms latency penalty—a notable balance between AI upscaling and responsiveness.

Arc B390: Integrated, But Not Modest

Intel’s new Arc B390 iGPU deserves special attention. The new Integrated Video inside of the EVO-T2 is Built on Xe3 tech. It packs 12 Xe cores and punches well above traditional integrated graphics.

At the same 45W TDP, Intel’s own data shows:

76% faster than the previous Arc 140T
82% faster than AMD’s Ryzen HX 370 with Radeon 890M at native resolution
Comparable overall performance to an NVIDIA RTX 4050

That last comparison would have sounded absurd for an iGPU not long ago. It represents a major milestone for the performance of compact PCs. The GMKtech EVO-T2 is the first to benefit from this excellent technology.

A Flagship That Doesn’t Forget Expandability

Obviously, having this level of performance is excellent. But something that every PC enthusiast loves is the ability to tweak and mold the system according to its needs. In this regard, the GMKtec EVO-T2 does not disappoint. Despite its compact size, the device still offers the modularity that makes PCs so interesting.

The device supports up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x Memory for Heavy Multitasking and large AI models. It also offers Dual M.2 slots with PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 support. It can offer up to 16 TB of total storage, if you have the cash. The device comes with 2.5G + 10G Ethernet, full-fat USB4, and OCuLink for external GPUs. The device can support up to four 4K displays simultaneously.

Power is configurable too, scaling up to 80W dynamic TDP. It has a balanced 45W default mode that makes sense for sustained workloads.

GMKtech EVO-T2: Why Intel’s Endorsement Matters

One interesting detail is the endorsement given by Lip-Bu Tan. It underlines a broader message: The desktop-class AI is no longer reserved for towers or servers. The GMKtec EVO-T2 shows Intel’s most advanced manufacturing. It can scale down without compromise, and partners like GMKtec are ready to translate that silicon into real products.

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It also reinforces a larger trend: The Chinese hardware brands are no longer just cost-efficient manufacturers. They’re active drivers of platform innovation, tightly integrated into global ecosystems.

Quick Specs & Highlights

Processor: Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (Panther Lake, 18A process)
AI Performance: Up to 180 TOPS local AI compute
GPU: Intel Arc B390 (Xe3, 12 Xe cores)
Memory: Up to 128GB LPDDR5x-9600
Storage: Dual M.2 (PCIe 5.0 + PCIe 4.0), up to 16TB
Connectivity: USB4 (40Gbps, 100W PD), OCuLink, 2.5G + 10G Ethernet
Displays: Up to 4× 4K outputs
Power: 45W default, up to 80W dynamic TDP
Launch Window: Q1 2026

While the CES 2026 hype will fade quickly. The GMKtec EVO-T2 will keep drawing attention for a long time. The device feels excellent and sounds like a dream machine for everyone who want a superb compact PC.