The AI Pyramid Computing Box and the AI Pyramid Computing Box Pro from M5Stack are mini PC with artificial intelligence functionality and powerful hardware that can support local AI processing, edge learning, and support advanced multimedia. Both models have a similar unique pyramid model and core hardware, which makes them the best platform for developers, researchers and integrators of intelligent systems.
The two variants both rely on the Axera AX8850 SoC, which is an octa-core Cortex-A55 processor solution capable of high-performance neural network inference by a 24 TOPS dedicated NPU. The architecture also allows processing tasks like visual recognition, multimodal interaction, real-time speech processing, and even on-device inference of large language models (LLM), without always being connected to the cloud.
Performance and Specs
The base 4GB model is accompanied by an LPDDR4x memory that has enough bandwidth to support most common edge AI workloads, and the Pro 8GB model has an 8GB LPDDR4x memory version, which is capable of performing larger workloads and more demanding AI applications. The two models have 32 GB eMMC memory and are accompanied by a powerful video processor that supports 8k H.264/H.265 encoding/decoding, coupled with parallel decoding of two or more streams of 1080p, and are highly suitable for AI vision analytics and multimedia processing.
Connectivity and I/O
The 4GB and 8GB models have an extensive range of input/output interfaces, which include:
- Dual HDMI 2.0 (output only on the 4GB version; input +output on the Pro)
- Wired networking with Dual Gigabit Ethernet.
- USB 3.0 and USB-C peripheral and power expansion.
- MicroSD card slot and expansion interfaces for flexible system growth
These make the AI Pyramid family versatile choices for AI PCs, edge intelligent terminals, smart interactive devices, and local AI systems like vision gateways, smart security setups, or on-premise media centres (e.g., local intelligent photo albums).
Use Cases and Benefits
The AI Pyramid series contributes to lowering the latency rate, maintaining the privacy of data, and reducing cloud spending, which is ideal in deployments with high-priority direct response and autonomy. The Pro, which includes larger memory and more I/O, is aimed at AI workloads demanding more and the more complicated edge apps.
The M5Stack AI Pyramid series offers solid software support built around a Linux-based environment. It runs Ubuntu OS, allowing developers to use standard Linux tools, SSH access, and familiar development workflows. AI acceleration is powered by the AXCL runtime and SDK, which enable efficient deployment of models on the built-in Axera AX8850 NPU. The platform is available with a wide variety of AI applications, such as vision analytics, speech processing, or local LLM inference. M5Stack provides official documentation, demos, and tutorials that enable users to easily configure and create applications, as well as being compatible with open-source tools and frameworks, which makes it simple to add custom AI solutions.
M5Stack AI mini PC comes in two variants. The average-priced 4GB version costs around $199.00 at the M5Stack official online shop as well as at the AliExpress online store, and the pro 8GB version that is on the high-end costs around $249.00 on the official store and on the AliExpress online store. The demand can cause stock to be at times out of stock, and sometimes the product might be out of stock. The M5Stack site allows users to monitor the inventory status or subscribe to receive emails whenever new units are replenished.
Debashis Das 
Sayantan Nandy