The Piston V takes a hybrid approach to the compact gaming PC. Rather than locking users into a single operating environment, it features a circular 4-inch touchscreen that can be used to select Windows for everyday computing or Bazzite, a Linux-based system designed around gaming.
Measuring less than 14.6 cm in height, the machine can fit into a conventional workspace before being moved to a living room and connected to a television. Users can also replace Bazzite with SteamOS at no additional software cost. This provides access to SteamOS features such as pausing and resuming games, along with a library of approximately 18,000 compatible titles, according to the product information.
The hardware is built around an AMD Ryzen AI 365 processor using Zen 5 architecture, paired with an AMD Radeon 880M GPU based on RDNA 3.5. The standard configuration includes 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 500GB SSD. Both are upgradeable, with support for up to 64GB of RAM and as much as 4TB of storage through accessible expansion slots on the rear.
Connectivity is particularly extensive for a mini PC. The Piston V includes HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 through USB-C, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, USB4, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and an OCuLink Gen 4x4 connection. USB4 can accommodate a high-speed external SSD, while OCuLink allows users to connect an external GPU for additional graphics performance.
The manufacturer positions the system as capable of running a range of games at high refresh rates, including demanding titles such as Cyberpunk 2077. Actual performance, however, will depend on factors such as resolution, graphical settings and the specific game being played.
The Piston V is currently being developed through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. If the schedule remains on track, worldwide shipments are expected to begin in December 2026. As this is the team's first product, potential buyers should also consider the risks associated with crowdfunding.
With its compact footprint, replaceable components and support for multiple operating systems, the Piston V aims to occupy a space between a conventional mini PC and a dedicated living-room gaming system.
According to Yankodesign
