Lenovo's round Yoga Mini PC with Panther Lake works with Mac mini accessories, reviewer finds

A reviewer who regularly tests mini PCs replaced his Mac mini M4 with Lenovo's round Yoga Mini and found that accessories designed for Apple's desktop computer fit the newcomer without any issues. That came as a surprise, given the device's fundamentally different shape.

Lenovo unveiled the Yoga Mini at CES earlier this year. Unlike most mini PCs, which come in square or rectangular enclosures, this model is completely round — so much so that it could easily be mistaken for a smart speaker or a screenless thermostat. There are no ports on the front panel, just two small holes for the built-in microphone array. The manufacturer clearly expects the device to sit in plain sight rather than hide behind a monitor: there are no VESA mounting holes on the underside, but there is 360-degree ventilation, a built-in speaker, and customizable RGB underglow.

The chassis measures 5.12 x 5.12 x 1.91 inches. The test unit shipped with only a 100W power brick, which turned out not to be strictly necessary. At retail, according to Lenovo's website, the accessory bundle may differ.

Inside sits an Intel Core Ultra 5 Panther Lake processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The device also has a built-in fingerprint scanner and a touch-sensitive top panel. The circular base unexpectedly pairs well with stands and organizers made for the Mac mini.

The author admits that after two weeks of daily use, he appreciates Lenovo's unconventional approach. The device not only looks unusual but also makes you rethink what a desktop computer should be. Despite the lack of front ports, the newcomer leaves an impression of a well-thought-out product that could easily take center stage on a desk.