- GMKtec launches EVO-T2 mini PC with Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor
- EVO-T2 offers expanded memory, fast storage and networking options for AI users
- Intel CEO endorses EVO-T2 at CES 2026 with public tour and signed prototype
GMKtec has announced the EVO-T2, a new mini PC built around Intel’s Core Ultra X9 388H consumer mobile processor, produced in the 18A process.
Launched at CES 2026, the device promises a maximum AI performance of 180TOPS, which is around 50 percent higher than that offered by systems running AMD’s rival Ryzen AI Max+ 395.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan visited GMKtec’s booth during the show and tested the EVO-T2 in person. He later signed the prototype, which marked a rare public endorsement from Intel’s top executive.
From the laboratory to the desktop
“As the world’s first flagship consumer device to bring Intel’s 18A process from the lab to the desktop, the GMKtec EVO-T2 represents a critical step in making high-performance AI computing accessible at the desktop level. It sets a new benchmark for compact, high-efficiency system design,” Tan said.
Intel’s processor is based on the chipmaker’s Panther Lake architecture and combines RibbonFET gate around the transistors with rear power delivery.
Single-thread performance is more than 10 percent higher compared to the previous generation, while power consumption is more than 40 percent lower.
Graphics output sees an approximately 50 percent improvement over Lunar Lake platforms.
Jim Johnson, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group, said: “With Series 3 processors, we are focused on improving power efficiency, improving CPU performance, and integrating industry-leading GPUs. This delivers exceptional local AI capabilities along with reliable x86 application support, forming a solid foundation for the next generation of AI PC experiences.”
The EVO-T2’s compact steel and aluminum casing measures about the size of a thick paperback, making it easy to place on a crowded desk.
It maintains GMKtec’s signature square design and vents on all sides to channel heat during sustained workloads.
Power scales up to 80W, with 45W set as the balanced default. GMKtec says the fans stay quiet with moderate use, but will spin noticeably during intense model training or inference runs.
The EVO-T2 supports up to 128GB of LPDDR5x memory and up to 16TB of SSD storage via two M.2 slots, one PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0. It can control four 4K displays, so it will be useful for creative workflows and AI work.
Connectivity includes 2.5G and 10G Ethernet, a full USB4 port with 40Gbps transfers, and a dedicated OCuLink port for external GPU expansion.
The EVO-T2 mini PC is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026, and pricing and global availability are unknown for now.
TechRadar will cover this year’s edition extensively CESand will bring you all the important announcements as they happen. Go to our CES 2026 News page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable screens to new phones, laptops, smart home devices and the latest in artificial intelligence. You can also ask us a question about the show on our CES 2026 Live Q&A and we will do our best to answer it.
And don’t forget follow us on tiktok and WhatsApp For the latest from the CES fair!
