MINISFORUM's latest mini PC, the 895D7, has posted gaming results that significantly outpace Valve's Steam Machine, according to a report from Japanese outlet 財経新聞. In 4K gaming benchmarks, the 895D7 delivered performance up to 127 percent higher than the Steam Machine, a notable gap that highlights the gap between the two devices' hardware approaches.
The report, published on September 1, 2026, notes that the 895D7's advantage comes with trade-offs. The MINISFORUM unit is both more expensive and physically larger than the Steam Machine, meaning buyers face a clear choice between raw performance and compact, budget-friendly design. 財経新聞 did not specify which Steam Machine model was used for comparison or the exact titles tested.
The Steam Machine, originally conceived as a living-room console-style PC running Valve's SteamOS, has seen renewed attention recently. A separate piece referenced in the same report details how users can install Windows on the device, a process that involves specific setup steps and yields varying performance results. That guide suggests the Steam Machine's hardware remains flexible enough for alternative operating systems, even as its default software environment limits gaming output.
For the 895D7, the benchmark results position it as a strong contender for gamers who prioritize 4K fidelity over form factor. The device's larger chassis likely accommodates more robust cooling and a higher-power GPU, which would explain the performance leap. However, 財経新聞's comparison stops short of declaring a clear winner, noting that the price and size differences make the two products suited to different audiences.
As dedicated gaming handhelds and mini PCs continue to blur the line between console and desktop, the 895D7's showing suggests that traditional PC hardware still holds an edge when power constraints are relaxed. Watch for further head-to-head tests against other compact gaming systems to see if this performance gap holds across a wider range of titles.
