The GMKtec G5S makes a compelling case that bigger isn’t always better. Launched in China at CNY 1,149 (about $169) but currently listed at $399 on Amazon in the US, this palm-sized Windows 11 Pro box proves you don’t need a tower, or even a full laptop, to get real work done. At 72×72×44.5mm, it fits in the palm of your hand, runs Windows out of the box, and disappears neatly behind a monitor.
Price: $399.99 (CNY 1,149 /~$169 in China)
Where to Buy: Amazon
For the right use case, it’s exactly what a budget desktop should be.
The GMKtec G5S launches in China at CNY 1,149 (about $169) for the 128GB model, and CNY 1,849 (~$272) for the 256GB version. A global rollout is expected soon, and when the US price lands closer to those figures, this mini PC becomes a strong contender in the budget desktop space.
At a time when mini PCs are racing toward AI branding and laptop-class silicon, the G5S takes a different path: spend on what matters (the box, the ports, the footprint) and cut everything you don’t need. That’s a smart trade for buyers who know exactly what they’re using a desktop for.
Chromebooks and budget laptops bundle in screens, keyboards, batteries, and hinges you may not need if the machine stays in one place. The G5S cuts all of that and gives you a proper Windows desktop in a package that fits on a bookshelf.
Quick specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5095 (Jasper Lake, 10W) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 (not expandable) |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB M.2 2242 SSD (upgradeable) |
| Ports | 3× USB 3.2 Type-A, 1× USB-C, HDMI 2.0, GbE, 3.5mm |
| Size | 72 × 72 × 44.5mm |
| Launch price | CNY 1,149 (~$169) / CNY 1,849 (~$272) |
| Availability | China now; global launch expected soon |
The small box is the pitch
The G5S measures 72 x 72 x 44.5mm. That’s smaller than many desktop speakers and much smaller than the office towers that cheap PCs used to mean.
Put it behind a monitor and it almost disappears.
The port list helps the case. The G5S includes three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 2.0. That’s not a workstation layout, but it’s enough for a keyboard, mouse, external drive, wired networking, and one display without immediately reaching for a hub.
A cheap laptop includes a screen, battery, keyboard, trackpad, hinge, webcam, and a lot of parts you may not need if the machine will sit in one place. A mini PC spends more of its budget on the box that does the computing. The G5S leans into that trade.
Built for focused tasks, delivering on that promise
The G5S runs on an Intel Celeron N5095, a proven, efficient Jasper Lake chip well suited to reliable single-task use. It’s not trying to be a gaming rig or a video editing powerhouse. That’s exactly the point.
GMKtec pairs the N5095 with 8GB of LPDDR4 memory, which is the right amount for the workloads this machine is designed for: documents, browser tabs, dashboards, media playback, and light productivity tasks. Storage is upgradeable via an M.2 2242 slot, so you can expand capacity as needed.
The cooling system uses a copper heat pipe and a near-silent fan, keeping the processor at a steady 10W without noise. This is a machine you can run all day in a kitchen, workshop, or office corner without ever noticing it’s there. Think of it as a dedicated Windows appliance: reliable, quiet, and perfectly sized for the job.
The launch price is the headline, and it’s a good one
At CNY 1,149 (~$169), the G5S is a genuinely compelling deal. That’s a price that reflects exactly what this machine is: an efficient, compact Windows box built for light, reliable use. At $169, the value case is clear: you get a full desktop OS, a proper port selection, upgradeable storage, and a nearly silent design in a form factor that fits almost anywhere.
The current US Amazon listing sits at $399, which is a significant gap from the $169 China launch price. For buyers on that platform, it’s worth watching for the price to move as global stock arrives. When it does, the G5S slots neatly into a gap that not many machines fill: a no-fuss, fixed-task Windows desktop that asks very little and delivers exactly what it promises.
Should you buy the GMKtec G5S?
Yes, if the price is right.
At or near the $169 China launch price, the G5S is an easy recommendation for anyone who needs a dedicated single-task Windows machine: a kitchen display, a workshop terminal, a media center, a digital signage box, or a light productivity station. The N5095 handles all of that without breaking a sweat, and the form factor is as compact as it gets.
If you’re sourcing it from China directly, it’s a strong value buy right now. For US buyers, it’s worth keeping on your watchlist. When global pricing aligns with the launch price, this becomes one of the more straightforward budget desktop picks available.
Who is the GMKtec G5S built for?
Perfect fit: Anyone who needs a reliable, low-maintenance Windows desktop for a specific purpose: kitchen display, digital signage, workshop PC, media center, light office tasks, or a home server. The G5S does all of this quietly and efficiently, takes up almost no space, and runs Windows 11 Pro out of the box.
China buyers: At the ~$169 launch price, it’s one of the better value propositions in budget mini PCs right now. The hardware matches the price, and the form factor is genuinely excellent.
US buyers: Watch the Amazon listing for price movement as global stock arrives. When the US price catches up to the launch price, this becomes a very easy recommendation.
Price: $399.99 (CNY 1,149 /~$169 in China)
Where to Buy: Amazon
The G5S is a focused machine with a clear purpose, and it executes that purpose well. If you’ve been looking for a proper Windows desktop that disappears into your space and just works, this is worth a close look.
Common Questions About the GMKtec G5S
Does the GMKtec G5S come with Windows?
Yes. The G5S ships with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed: no separate license needed. That’s the same version that comes on mainstream laptops and desktops.
What are the downsides of a mini PC like the G5S?
The main ones are fixed RAM (8GB with no upgrade path), limited CPU headroom for anything demanding, and no discrete graphics. It can’t run modern AAA games, will struggle with heavy video editing, and has fewer expansion options than a full desktop tower. For a stationary, single-task machine, it works well. For anything else, the compromises add up fast.
How long will a GMKtec mini PC last?
For light, fixed-task use (web browsing, dashboards, media playback, document work), a mini PC like this can run reliably for several years. The practical limit isn’t usually hardware failure. It’s either software support ending on Windows or your workload growing beyond what an 8GB, N5095-class machine can handle.
Samsung 14" Galaxy Chromebook Go Laptop PC Computer, Intel Celeron N4500 Processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage, ChromeOS, XE340XDA-KA2US, Student Laptop, Silver
(as of July 6, 2026 09:16 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
