GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC – Intel N150, 16GB/512GB SSD, WiFi 6 Review: Pros, Cons & Rumors Debunked

GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC, Intel Twin Lake N150(Upgraded N100) 16GB RAM 512GB M.2 2280 SSD, Mini Desktop Computer Dual HDMI/WiFi6/BT5.2

Experience blazing performance with Intel Twin Lake N150 (4C/4T up to 3.6GHz) and 16GB DDR4 RAM paired with 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD. Multitask seamlessly and boot in seconds.
Connect dual 4K@60Hz displays over HDMI 2.0, enjoy WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.5GbE networking. Compact mini PC packs robust I/O ports and server-ready features in a sleek desktop form.

The GMKtec G3 Plus delivers reliable daily performance with fast boot times and smooth multitasking.
Compact design and low power consumption make it ideal for home office and media setups.
Occasional BIOS/driver limitations surfaced, such as CPU speed locks and Linux reboot quirks.
Windows 11 Pro is preinstalled but some users needed to resolve activation and missing driver issues.
With proper setup and firmware updates, it offers a strong value for everyday and light lab uses.

Core specifications and modular upgrades in a small footprint.
Emphasizes next-gen connectivity with WiFi 6 and dual 4K display support.

Table of contents

Product Overview
GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC Review: Honest Findings
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Who Should Consider GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC?
Conclusion: Final Verdict

Product Overview

The GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC is headlined by the Intel Twin Lake N150 processor, a refreshed successor to the Alder Lake N100. This 4-core, 4-thread CPU includes a 6 MB cache and a maximum burst frequency of up to 3.6 GHz, delivering a 6–10 % performance boost over the N100 and a 15 % uplift compared to the N95. Paired with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a built-in 512 GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, the G3 Plus boots in seconds and handles multiple browser tabs, office suites, and routine multimedia tasks without hesitation.

Externally, the chassis remains compact—roughly the size of a paperback book—yet accommodates four USB 3.2 ports (5 Gbps each), two HDMI 2.0 outputs (4K@60 Hz), a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a single RJ45 2.5 GbE port. Wireless connectivity is state-of-the-art: 802.11ax (WiFi 6) with speeds up to 600 Mbps and Bluetooth 5.2 for peripherals. Additional features include Intel’s integrated UHD graphics (up to 1000 MHz), AV1 video decoding, Wake on LAN, PXE boot, RTC wake, and an auto power-on BIOS option. A one-year limited warranty backs workmanship, while GMKtec’s after-sales team promises timely support.

Aggregated user feedback highlights consistent real-world performance.
Setup often smooth but some reported initial compatibility hurdles.

GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC Review: Honest Findings

When deployed across diverse scenarios—from home NAS and Plex media server to a Proxmox hypervisor for a homelab—the G3 Plus generally earns high marks for everyday reliability. One reviewer replaced a legacy Synology NAS, tested multiple software stacks (Windows 11 NAS, Unraid, TrueNAS Scale, OpenMediaVault, Xpenology, CasaOS, Proxmox) and found the N150 CPU never faltered—even under simultaneous Plex streaming, web browsing, and file transfers. Booting from the internal eMMC to dual-boot Ubuntu or Windows 11 worked seamlessly, showcasing the unit’s versatility.

In standard desktop roles, users praise the tiny form factor and near-silent profile. Tasks like Office productivity, architectural CAD, photo editing, and HD video playback ran smoothly, with system temperatures staying within safe limits. Power consumption measured between 11.6 W at idle and around 30 W under heavy stress—ideal for a 24×7 media center or home server. Preinstalled Windows 11 Pro is ready out of the box, though some buyers needed to download a driver kit from GMKtec’s site for full network and audio functionality.

Quick startup and responsive multitasking.
Low noise and efficient power consumption.

Positive Feedback & Highlights

Many owners report being impressed by the G3 Plus’s rapid NVMe performance and dual-screen capabilities. The ability to run two 4K@60 Hz displays simultaneously via HDMI has proven valuable for productivity and home theater setups. Users replacing bulky desktops or aging laptops laud the G3 Plus’s small footprint—easily tucked behind a monitor or tucked into a living-room media cabinet.

One enthusiast retrofitted a small 12 V muffin fan for extra NVMe cooling, reducing drive temperatures by 10 °C with minimal noise trade-off. Others highlight the prebuilt memory and storage combination: 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 512 GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD provide ample headroom for multitasking, application launches, and fast file transfers. Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6 connectivity further enhance the wireless experience, with built-in support for streaming audio, wireless keyboards, and network devices.

Positive scenarios include:

Headless Spotify Connect or network-attached Plex servers delivering multiple streams without hiccups.
Proxmox and Docker containers for home lab experimentation, with no CPU resource starvation under moderate loads.
Plug-and-play Windows 11 Pro operation for office productivity, note-taking, and web conferencing.

Several users report Linux reboot issues and unreliable wake-from-sleep behavior.
BIOS restrictions on turbo frequencies and occasional missing drivers surfaced.

Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis

Despite widespread satisfaction, certain complaints merit attention. Multiple reports describe a Linux reboot quirk where “shutdown -r now” leads the unit to power off correctly but then return with no HDMI signal—necessitating a manual power cycle. Attempts with Rocky, Ubuntu, and Debian (even after kernel upgrades) failed to resolve the issue, suggesting a firmware-level anomaly. GMKtec support acknowledges limited in-house Linux expertise, leaving some buyers to work around the problem or stick with Windows.

Another recurring theme involves locked CPU performance. Although the Intel N150 advertises a burst up to 3.6 GHz, some users saw maximum sustained frequencies capped at around 2.9 GHz due to a hard-coded 10 W TDP in the BIOS. Enthusiasts hoping for full spec speeds have requested BIOS updates or unlocked power limits, but official channels remain silent. Coupled with reports of audible high-pitched fans cycling under load and occasional audio port static, these issues hint at a maturing firmware that could benefit from future revisions.

Other concerns include:

Fresh Windows 11 installs requiring manual driver downloads for Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Some “DOA” units or failures after a few months, leading to mixed warranty experiences.
Inconsistent Windows activation messages despite preinstalled Pro licenses.
Sleep mode failures where the machine cannot wake without a hard reboot.

While no widespread hardware defect appears, these edge-case reports suggest buyers should plan for potential troubleshooting and firmware updates.

Great for home office, media server, and light homelab experimentation.
Unsuitable for high-end gaming or heavy professional video editing.

Who Should Consider GMKtec G3 Plus Mini PC?

The G3 Plus shines in environments demanding quiet, low-power computing. Home office users, students, and remote workers will appreciate instant-on performance, dual 4K displays, and preinstalled Windows 11 Pro. Media enthusiasts can leverage Plex, Jellyfin, or Spotify Connect headless setups for continuous streaming without the bulk of a tower PC. The USB 3.2 ports and 2.5 GbE Ethernet enable fast file transfers, making it a compact home NAS or backup server when paired with network-mount solutions.

Homelab hobbyists who dabble in Proxmox, Docker, or true virtualization will find the N150 adequate for lightweight containers and multiple VMs—though the BIOS CPU cap may limit peak throughput. Linux purists should be aware of the reboot and driver quirks under certain distributions unless GMKtec releases targeted firmware. While you can retrofit cooling mods or tweak BIOS fan curves, a plug-and-play experience is most consistent under Windows.

Conversely, hardcore gamers, 3D artists, or data scientists requiring extensive GPU horsepower or sustained multi-thread load will outgrow this platform quickly. Similarly, enterprise deployments demanding zero-touch remote management and broad Linux support might find the current firmware and driver ecosystem too restrictive.

Offers a strong value when matched to compatible workloads.
Requires realistic expectations for firmware maturity and driver support.

Conclusion: Final Verdict

The GMKtec G3 Plus occupies a compelling niche in the mini PC market: it delivers speedy everyday performance, extensive I/O, and energy-efficient operation at a budget-friendly price. For most office, streaming, and home lab applications—especially under Windows—the experience is seamless and quiet. Dual 4K display support, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2.5 GbE Ethernet further enhance its versatility.

However, potential buyers should enter with eyes open. Occasional BIOS-imposed CPU limits, Linux reboot anomalies, and driver/activation workarounds underscore an evolving firmware ecosystem. Those comfortable applying updates, adjusting BIOS fan curves, or situating the unit primarily in Windows will find few obstacles. If you need a lightweight, low-power desktop or server replacement and are willing to troubleshoot edge cases, the G3 Plus stands out as a solid value. Otherwise, consider more mature platforms or await GMKtec’s next firmware release before diving in.