Is it worth it?
In the crowded field of portable 2-in-1 computers, the MINISFORUM V3 SE fulfills the need for a lightweight yet powerful Windows slate for professionals and creatives on the go. Whether you’re a designer drafting sketches with the included stylus, a business user juggling spreadsheets, or a student seeking a versatile study companion, this in-depth review offers clear, real-world insights to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your workflow.
We spent two weeks pushing the V3 SE through office work, media playback, light gaming, and digital art tasks; here’s a quick verdict: if you value a slim chassis with desktop-level Ryzen power and don’t mind a few setup quirks, this could be your next tool—otherwise, you might find simpler alternatives more user-friendly right out of the box.
Specifications
| Brand | MINISFORUM |
| Model | V3 SE |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 7735U (8C/16T up to 4.75 GHz) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 680M (up to 2.2 GHz) |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1 TB PCIe SSD |
| Display | 14" IPS 1920×1200 |
| Battery | Up to 4 hours video playback. |
| User Score | 4.3 ⭐ (3 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 880$ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
Performance
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7735U CPU paired with Radeon 680M graphics, the V3 SE delivers processing muscle rarely seen in tablets. It handles multi-tab browsing, Office suites, and light gaming without breaking a sweat. The integrated Radeon GPU can drive casual titles or accelerate video encoding, making it a mini desktop replacement for many users. In practice, on-the-go video editing or compiling code feels responsive, matching entry-level laptops in benchmarks (Cinebench R23).
Design & Portability
At just 0.386″ thick and weighing 33.5 oz, the V3 SE slips easily into a backpack or messenger bag. The full-metal chassis resists creaking, and the detachable keyboard latches firmly via magnets. This blend of rigidity and lightness means you won’t hesitate to grab it for impromptu meetings or coffee-shop work sessions. In day-to-day use, I appreciated how the weight distribution stays balanced even when typing on your lap.
Display Quality
The 14″ IPS panel with 1920×1200 resolution offers sharp text and accurate colors (covering about 95% sRGB). Peak brightness around 300 nits made documents legible under office lighting; outdoor use required finding shade. Viewing angles stayed consistent, so presentations to small groups never lost contrast. Whether editing photos or streaming video, details remained crisp, and the 16:10 aspect ratio adds vertical workspace.
Versatile Input
Equipped with a 64-key backlit keyboard and an active capacitive stylus, the V3 SE adapts to typing emails, sketching diagrams, or marking up PDFs. The keyboard’s scissor switches provide about 1.5 mm travel—comfortable for long typing sessions—and the stylus supports 4,096 pressure levels. Switching between modes is seamless: detach the keyboard in seconds, then dock it again to return to laptop mode. During brainstorming in OneNote, the pen felt like a natural extension of paper.
Firsthand Experience
When I first unboxed the V3 SE, the slim keyboard and capacitive stylus snapped on and felt reassuringly solid. The hinge is firm but simple to detach in seconds—ideal for switching to tablet mode during a flight.
Day one meant jumping into Office apps and browser tabs: load times hovered around 1–2 seconds per application, consistent with desktop benchmarks (PCMark 10). The fan kicked in under sustained load but remained quieter than most ultraportables.
After three days of digital art in Krita and Photoshop, the pen’s responsiveness impressed me: no noticeable lag, and palm rejection held up during quick hand movements. Even shading along edges felt precise.
On the fifth day, I ran Diablo IV at low settings—it maintained 30–35 fps, enough for casual play. The machine got warm but never hot to the touch, thanks to the improved cooling system described by MINISFORUM.
By the end of week two, my biggest gripe was battery life: four hours of mixed use means you’ll need the charger for long meetings or classes. Maintenance has been painless—Windows updates applied without data loss, aside from an initial driver hiccup that resolved via AMD’s website.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
User feedback on the V3 SE highlights its strong performance and premium build, tempered by setup challenges and modest battery endurance. Many praise the detachable accessories and power under the hood, while others note a steeper learning curve for Windows updates and driver installs.
Not an easy out-of-the-box experience, but works great once set up
Typing and drawing feel solid, though Windows initial setup was clunky
Love the performance for editing and the crisp display
Battery barely lasts half a workday, so I’m always near a charger
Slim, fast, and the pen response is excellent for sketches.
Comparison
Compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro 8, the V3 SE offers similar CPU power at a lower price point but sacrifices battery life and brand recognition. Surface Pro benefits from a wider accessory ecosystem and slightly better battery endurance, while the V3 SE excels in raw Ryzen performance.
Against entry-level Windows tablets (e.g., Lenovo Duet 3), the V3 SE outclasses them in multitasking, RAM capacity, and storage but is bulkier and pricier. If you only need basic browsing and document work, a lighter tablet may suffice, but serious productivity pushes you toward the V3 SE.
In the ultraportable laptop category (13″ clamshells), you’ll find longer runtimes and a traditional keyboard, yet most lack the V3 SE’s stylus support and detachable flexibility. Gamers or creative pros on a budget will appreciate the V3 SE’s AMD Radeon graphics, which outpace integrated options in many thin-and-light laptops.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can it run heavy design software?
- Yes, the Ryzen 7 CPU and Radeon 680M GPU handle apps like Photoshop and Illustrator at moderate settings without stutter.
- How long does battery last in real life?
- Expect around 3.5–4 hours of mixed Office and browsing use before needing a recharge.
- Does the pen support pressure sensitivity?
- Yes, it supports 4,096 levels of pressure for detailed sketching and note-taking.
- Is the keyboard backlit?
- No, the included 64-key keyboard does not have backlighting, which may limit use in dim environments.
Conclusion
The MINISFORUM V3 SE is a compelling choice for users who need desktop-class processing in a flexible 2-in-1 form factor and don’t mind managing Windows updates and carrying the charger. It shines in creative workflows and light gaming, offering storage and memory rarely found in tablets.
However, if you prioritize all-day battery life, a pre-tuned ecosystem, or a backlit keyboard, you may want to explore other options. Priced in the mid-range, it delivers strong value for power users who value performance over maximum portability. Check current deals and bundled offers to maximize savings and consider your primary use cases before purchasing.