ACEMAGIC AM08 PRO review: can the mini PC replace my MacBook for video editing?

As a content creator, I have so far used my 2020 MacBook Pro with the M1 chip for editing. It is very powerful, and large 4K videos are no problem for it. So I was curious whether the ACEMAGIC AM08 PRO mini gaming PC could keep up. At the time of testing in fall 2023, the small Windows PC cost a recommended retail price (RRP) of €770 on the manufacturer’s website.

Specs and design

Inside the AM08 PRO is an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX with eight cores and 16 threads. I have the version with 512 GB of storage and 32 GB of RAM in gray. Visually, the handy mini PC really is stylish and fits on any desk. As a little gimmick, I like the changing LED lighting on the front of the plastic case.

Ports and expansion

• Front: headphone jack, one USB-C port and two USB-A ports with USB 3.2.
• Back: two more USB-A ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports for two monitors and the power connector.
• Three monitors: Possible if the USB-C port on the front is used for video output.
• Expansion: The case opens easily on one side, and memory and mass storage are easy to install. An external graphics card can be connected via the Thunderbolt port.

Above the power button you set the performance mode: a Silent mode for streaming videos and saving energy, an Auto mode that adjusts performance and is meant for typical office work, and the Performance mode for gaming or creative work with image and video editing.

Video editing in DaVinci Resolve

I’m not a gamer, so video editing is what interests me. I edited a 4K video in DaVinci Resolve. There is no dedicated graphics card like in the MacBook here; it runs on the AMD Radeon 680M. With 4K editing, the wheat is separated from the chaff: My MacBook Pro edits 4K files smoothly and without stutter, without any proxy files.

To be honest, I was surprised: The ACEMAGIC AM08 PRO performs so well that I can edit 4K videos in DaVinci Resolve smoothly as well, without creating proxy files. My editing program Filmora, which I use for less complex videos, also runs without proxies. For me as a content creator, that is hugely important. Editing is time-consuming anyway, and it turns into hell if the computer takes forever for every editing step.

The mini PC also handles everyday tasks like office work, data transfers and video calls extremely fast. For the average user, it is the Ferrari among Windows PCs.

The catch: the fan

It would be a real alternative to my MacBook for me, if it weren’t for the fan.

• Even in Silent mode, you can hear fan noise.
• In Auto mode, the fan gets quieter or louder depending on the task. Personally, I find that very annoying.
• In Performance mode, the fan is extremely loud. It feels like the mini PC is about to take off.

Who is the ACEMAGIC AM08 PRO worth it for?

If you wear headphones while editing, and that goes for gamers too, the fan will probably not be an issue. In that case I would start using the AM08 PRO right away, and you will love the performance. If you simply want a desktop replacement in mini format for office work and everyday use, you will probably find quieter alternatives.

Verdict

The ACEMAGIC AM08 PRO edits 4K video as smoothly as my MacBook Pro, without proxy files. At an RRP of €770, that is impressive. The loud fan is the only reason it doesn’t end up in permanent use for me.