Review of Minisforum Mercury EM780 Mini PC

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The Minisforum Mercury EM780 mini PC boasts the formidable AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840U processor and AMD Radeon™ 780M graphics. Its standout feature, however, lies in its ultra-small form factor, approximately 1 1/4 the size of a typical mini PC. Despite its diminutive size, it excels in handling creative, office, and gaming tasks, surpassing many larger competitors. Nevertheless, its compactness and power come at a premium cost and with restricted upgrade possibilities. Nonetheless, for users valuing a compact yet potent device, the EM780 stands out as an excellent option.

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MINISFORUM MERCURY EM780: QUICK OVERVIEW

Specifications
CPUAMD Ryzen™ 7 7840U
GraphicsAMD Radeon™ 780M
RAM16GB/32GB LPDDR5
Storage1TB M.2 PCIe4.0 SSD
Rear PortsHDMI, USB4, 2x USB3.2 Type-A
Front PortsUSB4, 3.5mm audio jack
Side PortsUSB3.2 Type-A, USB4
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Audio3.5mm audio jack
CameraN/A
Size80 x 80 x 44mm
OS installedWindows 11 Pro
Accessories65W GaN Type-C power adapter

The Minisforum Mercury EM780 defies convention with its remarkable compactness, just 1/4 the size of standard mini PCs, and a staggering 1/120th smaller than typical desktops. While its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840U and AMD Radeon™ 780M Graphics initially seem overshadowed, their performance shines through, effortlessly handling demanding creative tasks like video and photo editing, as well as office applications and adjusted gaming settings.

Impressively, despite its size, the EM780 boasts an extensive range of external ports, including Wi-Fi 6E, USB4, and MicroSD ports, facilitating versatile expansion options alongside its onboard SSD storage. This adaptability makes it ideal for accommodating external drives and peripherals.

Although positioned at a premium price point, its exceptional performance and compact design make it a worthy investment for those prioritizing space optimization without compromising on power.

MINISFORUM MERCURY EM780: PRICE & AVAILABILITY

Availability
Where to BuyMinisforum’s website
PricingReflects premium status

The EM780 is obtainable through Minisforum’s website, aligning with its premium status for performance-focused users prioritizing compactness.

MINISFORUM MERCURY EM780: DESIGN & BUILD

Design
SizeQuarter-liter volume
PortabilityUnmatched, fits in backpack
Cooling SystemCOLD WAVE 2.0
StorageHigh-speed M.2 2230 PCIe4.0 SSD
Power Solution65W GaN Type-C adapter

The Minisforum Mercury EM780 boasts an ultra-compact design, occupying just a quarter-liter volume, offering significant space savings. Its portability is unmatched, easily fitting into a backpack alongside essential accessories. Cooling is ensured by the COLD WAVE 2.0 system, effectively dissipating heat. Storage utilizes a high-speed M.2 2230 PCIe4.0 SSD, providing exceptional performance. The power solution includes a 65W GaN Type-C adapter, contributing to its minimalistic design and energy efficiency.

MINISFORUM MERCURY EM780: FEATURES

Standout FeatureSize
Size1/4L volume
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 7840U
MemoryLPDDR5-6400MHz
StorageM.2 2230 PCIe4.0 SSD
Cooling SystemCOLD WAVE 2.0
ConnectivityWiFi 6, USB ports
Docking StationUSB4 RJ45 connection
Display OptionsHDMI, USB4

The EM780 impresses with its compact size, powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor. LPDDR5-6400MHz memory and M.2 2230 PCIe4.0 SSD ensure swift performance. Innovative COLD WAVE 2.0 cooling system maintains optimal temperatures. Connectivity features robust USB ports and WiFi 6 support. A docking station adds a stable RJ45 network connection. Display options include HDMI and USB4 ports. Overall, it’s a compact yet powerful choice.

Minisforum Mercury EM780

MINISFORUM MERCURY EM780: PERFORMANCE

Benchmarks
Crystal Disk Read4504.62MB/s
Crystal Disk Write4632.32MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single2015
GeekBench CPU Multi9787
GeekBench Compute24393
PC Mark6106
CineBench CPU Multi12836
CineBench CPU Single1279
Fire Strike Overall6791
Fire Strike Graphics7315
Fire Strike Physics20220
Fire Strike Combined2682
Time Spy Overall2779
Time Spy Graphics2502
Time Spy CPU7480
Wild Life14513
Windows Experience8.2

Initial doubts about its size accommodating CPU and GPU quickly vanish upon setup, as the machine proves remarkably swift. Navigating options feels fast, and apps open swiftly, including Photoshop and Resolve. While 1TB storage may limit 4K video editing, a Samsung T5 Evo 8TB through USB4 ports works effectively as a working drive. Gaming performance is commendable, with Red Dead Redemption II and Cyberpunk playing well. Tekken 8 also performs surprisingly well. Crystal Disk Mark scores showcase its proficiency in handling data-intensive tasks. GeekBench scores reflect versatility across creative, office, and gaming tasks. CineBench results underline rendering power, ideal for 3D modeling and animation. Graphics benchmarks highlight robust gaming and creative application capabilities. PC Mark score indicates capability in handling various office tasks.