We’re talking about a compact yet powerful computer that you can easily carry anywhere and connect to any TV—whether you’re at home, in the office, or traveling for business.
First, let built HTPC on mini-ITX. It seems compact, but there is zero power. The next stage was self-made, but we didn't even have to think about mobility (my 3D printed case is not ready for such loads in principle).
Then we tried a ready-made compact PC with a graphics card — already better, but still bulky.
And that's where this Ninkear M8 Mini-PCs came to the rescue. After comparisons, the choice fell on the model with AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS. Why AMD? Because their integrated Radeon 780M graphics on the RDNA 3 architecture simply tear up Intel's solutions. Now we have what we need: a small, lightweight, but powerful enough PC that can go with you everywhere.
The Ninkear M8 Mini-PC is a good choice for a reason. For a period of the time ago, most users with Ninkear Ultrabook have been doing great against all odds. No cracks, no scuffs, no backlashes - almost like on the first day. Even the native film on the screen.
Characteristics
Box & Packaging Contents
The Ninkear M8 laptop comes in a simple box mainly in white colour with some gray. On the back there is a sticker with characteristics.
Inside: foam protective coating and thick cardboard. The packaging is clearly designed for reliable transportation, including between countries.
Next to the PC itself is a box with accessories, under it is an envelope with a manual.
When you opened the box with accessories, inside: an HDMI cable and a power supply.
From the specifications: 119.7 watts! At the same time, the processor "pulls" a maximum of 54 watts.
The best part is the size of the block. With such power, it remained compact. The secret is in the GaN (gallium nitride) technology. It's nice to see the benefits of technology in practice.
The Ninkear M8 Mini-PC features a classic form factor: a square body with rounded corners. The top cover is made of plastic. The brand logo serves as a visual highlight: the inscription is made in white letters, while the letter "K" is highlighted in orange.
The case of the Ninkear M8 combines materials: a plastic cover (for concealed installation of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas), an aluminum matte frame on the front and sides, and the back is integrated with an IO panel.
The front panel of the Ninkear M8 has everything you need for comfortable work:
- Type-C is a full-featured port with quick access.
- 3.5 mm jack - for a headphone or microphone.
- Dual USB 3.0
- Orange power button with backlight.
- Reset hole – if something goes wrong, a paperclip will save the day.
Looking ahead, we will say that it has never frozen, and the BIOS will not allow even if you want crooked knobs to "brick" the PC.
The back panel of the Ninkear M8 Mini-PC interfaces is located directly under the CPU heatsink window, which provides easy access and cables will not interfere with airflow.
Available ports for connection:
- 2 ethernet ports, HDMI port, DP port,
USB 3.0 port,
USB 2.0 power,
From the port observation, Ninkear M8 Mini-PC side panels with mesh-covers windows, which gives efficient air exchange for all internal components. The design provides outside air to both the upper and lower parts of the motherboard, maintaining the optimal temperature mode of the PC.
The protruding round plastic PC base creates an air gap between the body and the table surface. This is critical for cooling air intake – especially when the PC is tightly installed (e.g. in a niche or near other devices). For fixation, an anti-slip rubber ring with a textured surface is installed on the table.
The sticker has all the information: model, power, barcode and serial number.
By the way, about the serial number is not just a formality. If something goes wrong, they can be repaired in different service centers around the globe. For many, this is a serious plus: less nerves and less time for service.
Before launching, we looked inside the case. The lid is fixed with 4 screws in the corners. There is a blue thread retainer, everything is serious.
When dismantling the MP, be sure to turn off the Wi-Fi antennas! Otherwise, you can accidentally tear them.
But what pleased me is that the screws are screwed not directly into the plastic, but into the fused metal bushings.
On the motherboard, the BIOS battery stands out in a bright yellow shrink and it is connected via a detachable cable. At the bottom of the board there are two RAM modules manufactured by KingBank, as well as a drive without manufacturer's marking.
The quality of factory soldering is not satisfactory: all connections are neat, the flux is completely washed away.
Installing two 16GB DDR5 modules unleashes the full potential of memory bandwidth, which is especially important when using integrated graphics. The use of 8 GB modules leads to a drop in performance, which is due to the peculiarities of the DDR5 architecture.
An SSD drive with two stickers, one of which is metallized and helps to dissipate heat effectively. Under the drive there is a Wi-Fi module from MediaTek (MTK), and the connectors for antennas are hidden behind a plastic overlay.
The top of the Ninkear M8 motherboard features a large copper heatsink with two heat pipes; A turbine-type fan is used for forced air circulation through the radiator.
Bios
There are a lot of options and tabs, and the useful thing is that you can only change the CPU TDP limit, cooling system activity and the amount of video memory buffer.
AMD CBS -> CPU Common Options -> System Configuration. we set a limit of 45 watts.
Advanced – Hardware Monitor
The embedding configuration section includes a large list. we choose UMA_GAME_OPTIMIZED for personal use.
The latest BIOS is on the official website, where you can find in the elementary instructions for updating
In the 4pda thread, there is a mention of an alternative bios with removed limits. Screenshot author aleksey.k199.
Synthetics
CPU Z
AIDA 64
3D Mark
PC Mark 10
Crystal Disk Mark
Cinebench 2024
WinRar
GeekBench
- Superposition benchmark
- Corona
- Wot enCore
- Stability Test Aida 64
- Frame rate stability from 3DMark
- No throttling, frequency in place.
Gaming Performance
We conducted tests in those games that we are familiar with.
Oxygen not included, settings by preset Maximum, screen resolution 2K.
CS2, preset settings settings Medium, resolution1080p, benchmark.
World of Tanks, HD client, high preset, 1080p.
FlatOut 4, high preset, resolution 1080p.
Metro Exodus, benchmark.
Metro 2033, preset ok, 1080p
It takes two, preset high, 1080p
Little Nightmares, ultra 2K.
Pubg, preset low, 1080p.
Rust, all at minimum, 1080p.
Warming
We simulated an intense workload in the gameplay of Metro Exodus, where the Ninkear M8 plowed for 6 hours without a break. Test photos with a Topdon 001 IR camera with a 256x192 sensor.
The thermogram shows how heat is efficiently dissipated outside the case of this PC.
Look at the sides of the hull, where you can clearly see the decrease in temperature against the general background. This means that the air from the room takes heat from the SSD and RAM, and then goes to the heatsink to cool the processor.
The effective performance of AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS is limited by TDP, which limits frequencies. The CPU heats up to 90-91C under max load, which is adequate for "mobile" hardware.
The PSU, according to measurements, consumes up to 87 W at its peak and does not heat up, it feels just warm. Thermography confirms the sensations.
Experience of use
We worked on this PC for a long time not only at home, but also while traveling.
The PC comes with Win11 activated, which is ready to go.
The level of performance is comfortable and such a PC is enough for me to perform all the main work tasks.
Photoshop and AI patches work perfectly and without freezes, compared to an Intel n95 laptop - heaven and earth.
Yes, the devices are as far apart as possible in terms of performance, but this is the experience of real application.
The compact Ninkear m8 fits easily into a bag and backpack and takes up minimal space on the table after installation.
When working with a browser, or text editing, the PC works silently. Heavy workloads (games and rendering) increase the noise from the Ninkear M8, but everything is within the sound range of gaming laptops.
The experience of completely replacing my home PC with a reviewed gadget was extremely unusual.
In this small box, we connected all my peripherals:
- Dual monitors (+ USB hub in the main monitor for keyboard and mouse)
- USB Headset Adapter
- power to the second monitor.
- microphone.
One USB port is free. You can connect a flash drive or SSD drive.
There is a reserve. It's not a fact that a regular "user" will connect so many peripherals, but even we have one free port left. If desired, you can insert a type-c hub to increase the capabilities of the PC, but we did not see the need for this. It's nice to see the bulk of USB 3.0 ports, because you don't have to look for that fastest port. Although, in my arsenal now the main mobile media is an SSD, which we preferred to connect in a type-c connector.
Most users will still need a regular USB 3.0
PC ready, it's time to test! I turn it on and... silence. Extremely unexpected, because my PC should habitually create a certain level of noise. Browse the news, search and save information, text editor, all in silence. If you don't look at the screen, then it's not clear – does the PC work at all? Silence!..
In the evening, we gather my platoon and fight for a couple of hours in the World of Tanks. we lowered the settings from ultra to "High" in advance, because my main monitor is with 2K resolution on the HD client.
The frame rate most of the time remains 60+, although there are drops up to 50 fps.
We went to CS Go, where we settled the "medium" settings and the avg fps is 77 fps.
We did not catch strong drops or tears in the picture.
With such operation, the maximum noise level, according to measurements, is 37.4 dB. If you want, you can cut the TDP of the processor and the PC will be much quieter, but why should we? Only hardcore!
Although, the Ninkear m8 is quieter than my main PC anyway.
Working on such a PC provides an interesting experience and we were impressed by the capabilities of the integrated graphics. Seeing on YouTube and using it yourself still forms different feelings. Unexpectedly, the capabilities of the Ninkear M8 Mini-PC is quite enough for everyday use. We didn't even experience any performance issues. If you don't twist the graphon to the maximum, everything is fine.
In addition, you can take the Ninkear M8 with you on any trip, and if you have a portable monitor and a wireless keyboard, you can get a workstation
with an adequate level of hardware in any stable place.
Conclusion
As a result, Ninkear M8 has established itself as a convenient and progressive solution.
Easy to take on trips, the Ninkear M8 provides ample performance without the need for a bulky system unit. The only drawback is that you cannot power it from a power bank via Type-C (via the PD protocol). We know a lot of people who prefer mini PCs to regular system units: they are smaller and quieter without cluttering up your workspace. Ninkear M8 Mini-PC can quite confidently take the place of the main home PC, on which you can not only work, but also play most of the current games.