Alpha-One: Silent mini PC can run AI locally and is now available – NotebookCheck.net News
The Pine64 Alpha-One is a new and compact computer that ’s designed for running AI models locally. The mini PC is passively cooled and should therefore be completely silent.
We’ve previously reported on numerous SBCs and mini PCs, and now a new device is finally available for purchase. The EU version of the Pine64 Alpha-One is sold directly by the manufacturer for $330, but prospective buyers should definitely look into the shipping details beforehand. The manufacturer also asserts that this is a product for early adopters.
This mini PC is based on the StarPro64-SBC and features a SiFive P550 SoC. This RISC-V chipset has four cores that run at up to 1.8GHz. It also sports an NPU with a performance of 20 TOPS. While NPUs integrated into current Intel or AMD processors are often more powerful, the Alpha-One’s AI performance is still notably higher than what you’d find in other single-board computers. This compact computer further has 32GB of RAM and is designed to run various LLMs locally. The preinstalled 64GB eMMC module already contains the necessary software.
The passively cooled SBC comes in an aluminum case, and heat from the processor is dissipated via a heatpipe. For networking, users can utilize WiFi on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, or wired connectivity via two Gigabit Ethernet ports. The WiFi antenna is external. Moreover, there are multiple USB ports for connecting peripherals, and mini PC users can hook up monitors via HDMI with support for 4K at 60Hz. Lastly, the Pine64 Alpha-One has an audio jack that supports microphones.
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Editor of the original article: Silvio Werner – Senior Tech Writer – 14593 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017
I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 4917 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.
Silvio Werner, 2025-07-15 (Update: 2025-07-15)
