HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
System76 Meerkat vs Minisforum UM790 Pro
We compare the System76 Meerkat and Minisforum UM790 Pro head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
Our Pick
Check Price on AmazonSystem76 Meerkat
Scored 9.1/10 in our testing
Best Overall
System76 Meerkat
Best Linux-first mini PC with Pop!_OS preinstalled
Overall:9.1/10Winner
Check price on Amazon Best Premium
Minisforum UM790 Pro
Best AMD mini PC for Linux with Ryzen 9
Overall:8.9/10
Check price on Amazon Score Breakdown
| System76 Meerkat | Category | Minisforum UM790 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2/10 | Performance | ✓ 9.5/10 |
| 9/10 | Features | 9/10 |
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Ease of Use | 8.5/10 |
| 8.5/10 | Value | ✓ 8.8/10 |
| 9.1/10 ✓ | Overall | 8.9/10 |
Specs Comparison
| System76 Meerkat | Spec | Minisforum UM790 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS preinstalled | OS | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS |
| Intel Core i5/i7 | CPU | Up to 64 GB |
| Linux-optimized firmware | Feature | Excellent AMD Linux support |
System76 Meerkat
Pros
- + Linux-first design
- + Pop!_OS preinstalled
- + Perfect driver support
Cons
- − Premium pricing
- − Limited availability
- − No discrete GPU
Minisforum UM790 Pro
Pros
- + Ryzen 9 power
- + Great Linux driver support
- + Up to 64 GB RAM
Cons
- − Ships with Windows
- − Need to install Linux
- − Fan noise under load
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the System76 Meerkat comes out on top with an overall score of 9.1/10. System76 Meerkat is built for Linux from the ground up — every driver works perfectly out of the box.
Buy the System76 Meerkat on AmazonRead the full Best Linux Mini PCs 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.