When I first unboxed the GMKtec G5, I couldn't believe how something so small (smaller than my coffee mug!) could be a fully functional PC. The sky-blue chassis looks sleek on my desk, and its lightweight design makes it perfect for my WFH setup where I frequently move between rooms.
The Intel N97 processor handles my daily multitasking with ease - I regularly have 15+ Chrome tabs open while streaming music and editing documents. The dual HDMI ports let me connect both my monitor and living room TV simultaneously, though I did notice the fan whirring softly during 4K video playback (not distracting, but present).
As someone who upgraded from an old laptop, the speed difference is night and day. Boot-up takes under 20 seconds, and the 12GB RAM means I never experience lag during Zoom calls while screen-sharing. The included Windows 11 Pro license was a pleasant surprise at this price point.
The only real limitation is gaming - while it runs Minecraft smoothly at 720p as other reviewers noted, modern AAA titles are off the table. But for $150, this exceeded all my expectations as a productivity machine that disappears on my desk yet delivers serious performance when needed.