Recently, Minisforum launched the mini PC NPB7 equipped with the 12th Gen Core i5-12450H and i7-12650H processors, featuring an ultra-simple DIY design, dual network ports, and an incredible starting price of 2199 Yuan (for the barebones version). However, their CPUs have simplified E-cores and integrated graphics, resulting in overall performance that is relatively average. If you’re looking for better overall performance, the latest NPB7 from Minisforum should not disappoint you.

The Minisforum NPB7 inherits the classic design of its predecessors, with a metal body and a plastic cover, the silver body and compact design bear a resemblance to the Mac mini.

This product also supports wall mounting, and can usually be hidden behind the monitor.

This product is compact and exquisite, with a total volume of only 0.8L, similar to the thick version of NUC12 Wall Street Canyon. Its biggest feature is that disassembly requires no tools; just press down on the top cover to pop it open automatically, allowing users to easily access the memory and hard drive.

The front panel of the case provides a USB-C3.2 Gen2, two USB-A3.2 Gen2 ports, and an audio interface. The back of the case is equipped with two USB-A3.2 Gen2 ports, two HDMI ports, two RJ45 ports, two USB4 ports, and a power socket.

The two USB4 ports and two HDMI ports mean that this product can connect to four displays simultaneously, which is very friendly for users engaged in professional design or stock trading. Unfortunately, the USB4 does not support PD charging.

The core selling point of this series of Minisforum mini PCs is naturally the two RJ45 network ports (2.5Gbps), which are perfect for soft routing and NAS, and the NPB7 is undoubtedly one of the highest configured mini PCs with dual network ports.

Compared to the previously launched NAB5 and NAB7, the biggest change in the Minisforum NPB7 is the upgrade to Intel’s latest 13th Gen Core i7-13700H processor, featuring 6 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores with a total of 14 cores and 20 threads, reaching a maximum turbo frequency of 5.0GHz, making its CPU performance comparable to the 12th Gen Core i9-12900H.

Additionally, the Minisforum NPB7 has upgraded the memory from DDR4 to DDR5 (5200), supporting a maximum capacity of 64GB. The higher frequency and bandwidth assist the integrated Iris Xe 96 graphics, and in dual-channel mode, its 3D performance can even reach the level of NVIDIA’s earlier GeForce MX350 discrete graphics, handling games at the level of League of Legends with ease.

This product features one M.2 and one 2.5-inch hard drive bay, allowing for the installation of up to two hard drives simultaneously.

It also boasts a brand new cooling system with an active solid-state cooler and side ventilation openings to assist in cooling the SSD. It is important to note that the barebones version does not come with this cooling plate, while the version with standard 32GB memory and 512GB SSD is priced at 4799 Yuan.

In summary, after upgrading to the 13th Gen Core i7-13700H processor, the overall performance of the Minisforum NPB7 has significantly improved, coupled with dual-channel DDR5-5200 memory, dual hard drives, and 4A3C, dual HDMI, and dual network ports, its expansion and connectivity capabilities are top-notch among products of the same size.

Currently, for 4799 Yuan, we can only purchase a lightweight laptop equipped with the i5-13500H; if you happen to have a monitor at home, buying the NPB7 will provide productivity far beyond that of similarly priced lightweight laptops, making it more suitable for niche users planning to build a [high-performance] soft routing and NAS.

If asked what improvements the Minisforum NPB7 could make, I hope its next generation can change to dual M.2 hard drive bays and endow the USB-C interface with 100W PD charging capabilities.

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