Geekom Mini IT 13 Assessment: Environment friendly PC Powerhouse for the Dwelling Workplace – Uplaza

Quick conclusion & purchase

Geekom installs Intel’s quickest processor with 45 W energy consumption within the Mini IT 13 in most configuration. Thus, the efficiency of the mini-PC can positively be referred to as high-performance for its product class. Sadly, Geekom limits the processor’s full potential a bit. The in any other case excellent connectivity can be marred by the shortage of HDMI 2.1. I might additionally want for a USB-C port on the entrance subsequent time.

Other than that, the Mini IT 13 is an excellent mini PC that can be appropriate for uncomplicated video modifying and picture processing. Geekom often reductions the mini PC, making it a robust deal for these not in a rush.

This text was written in cooperation with the producer Geekom. This had no affect on the precise content material or the editorial opinion.

Design and build-quality

You’ve got seen one, you have seen them all-Geekom would not take any massive leaps with the design of the Mini IT 13. The small laptop is available in compact dimensions of 11.7 x 11.2 x 5 cm and weighs simply 652 grams. In contrast to the
A5 that we examined shortly earlier than, nonetheless, Geekom depends on a plain, darkish blue coloration scheme right here. The connectivity is as soon as once more strong, and we additionally discover an SD card reader constructed into the aspect.

Professionals:

• Superbly compact and easy.
• Excessive connectivity, now with USB 4.0.
• VESA mount included within the field.

Cons:

• Comes solely with HDMI 2.0 and with out DisplayPort.
• No USB-C port on the entrance.
• Fan runs completely and is clearly audible.

Producers should create a balancing act between desktop PC and pocket book in a mini-PC. The benefit is that the system is simple to take alongside and hardly takes up any house on the desk. On the identical time, extra ports must be accessible in comparison with a pocket book. And the repairability and upgradeability also needs to be higher.

As soon as once more, Geekom manages this balancing act very effectively. We discover a easy and high-quality case that consists of a metallic body at its core. On high of that, Geekom places a darkish blue plastic case, which exhibits a slight glitter impact in the proper gentle. I personally just like the design very a lot, although I favored the Geekom A5 a bit higher.

Sadly, Geekom additionally borrows a shortcoming from the cheaper AMD variant. By way of connectivity, we solely discover HDMI 2.0. Customers who need to join shows with a very excessive decision have to make use of Thunderbolt through USB-C. I’m stunned that Geekom makes use of an outdated HDMI commonplace. It is usually stunning that there’s nonetheless a USB 2.0 port in USB-A format. Listed here are all ports at a look:

• Entrance
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 in USB-A format
  • 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Button for switching on
• Left aspect
• Proper aspect
• Rear aspect
  • 2 x USB 4 Gen 2 in USB-C format
  • 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 in USB-A format
  • 1 x USB 2.0 in USB-A format
  • 1 x RJ45 Ethernet port
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0 port
  • 1 x DC jack

We additionally don’t discover a USB-C port on the entrance of the mini-PC. Since an increasing number of peripherals are transformed to the trendy USB commonplace, you’ll due to this fact have to show the PC over often for on a regular basis use. In the event you additionally need to use a number of shows, the rear ports is perhaps occupied shortly. A tip right here can be to attach a number of displays in sequence through “daisy chaining” through USB 4.0.

The repairability of the Geekom Mini IT 13 is strong, as with all different fashions. In the event you unscrew the mini PC through 4 screws beneath the case, you’ll be able to change the RAM and the exhausting disk in M.2 PCIe Gen 4 format. You too can set up one other exhausting drive or SSD in 2.5-inch SATA format in addition to one in M.2 SSD format.

In keeping with the producer, the utmost pre-configured configuration is 2 TB, the M.2-2242 SSD can convey a most of 1 TB, and a most of two TB is allowed within the small case through a 2.5-inch SATA. This leads to a most of 5 TB—the DDR4 RAM has a most of 64 GB.

One other factor I seen within the check, or quite may hardly ignore, is the built-in fan. It isn’t excessively loud—I might examine it to a operating pocket book fan—however it runs repeatedly even below low load. The small PC just isn’t whisper-quiet like different mini PCs from Geekom. Nonetheless, that is nearly actually as a result of high-performance processor, which produces extra warmth.

Software program and drivers

Home windows 11 Professional welcomes you whenever you use the Geekom Mini IT 13 for the primary time. In fact, the producer features a license, so you will have all of the choices of a present Home windows set up. You can not switch the license to different gadgets, however you will have the choice to put in different working techniques through dual-boot or standalone.

Professionals:

• Prepared-to-use due to pre-installed Home windows 11 Professional.
• You do not have to put in any drivers afterwards.

Cons:

• Product key not transferable.

The truth that you can begin immediately with the Geekom Mini IT 13 could be very welcome. For many customers, Home windows 11 Professional is completely enough as an working system. For my part, Home windows has additionally been capable of enhance the working system’s user-friendliness lately. Subsequently, Home windows 11 Professional typically feels as intuitive as macOS and even Android on the smartphone.

As at all times, nonetheless, I have to level out that you just can’t switch the preinstalled working system to different gadgets. If you’re not involved in Home windows 11 Professional, you’ll have to purchase it anyway. It’s due to this fact extra advisable to put in different working techniques, resembling Linux, as a dual-boot. Geekom opens its BIOS for this, in order that this is not an issue both.

That is all there may be to report right here—proceed with the textual content!

Efficiency and elements

The Mini IT 13 is probably the most highly effective mini PC from Geekom thus far, as a result of it’s outfitted with Intel’s newest processor era. Happily, Geekom additionally despatched us the flagship with 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of cupboard space, and an Intel i9-13900H. Nonetheless, the processor can’t use its full energy within the mini-PC. And the RAM additionally makes us frown once we have a look at the spec sheet.

Professionals:

• Excessive-performance stage, particularly in picture modifying and video modifying.
• Appropriate with three storage requirements within the mass storage system.

Cons:

• No DDR5 RAM put in.
• Processor efficiency restricted.

Earlier than we enterprise into benchmark outcomes and my impressions from the check, a little bit of classification: The Intel i9-13900H solely got here onto the market this 12 months and represents Intel’s quickest CPU with 45-watt energy consumption. Nonetheless, it stands alone within the Mini IT 13 since no devoted GPU is put in.

Even so, you’ll be able to join an exterior GPU (eGPU) through USB-C. Nonetheless, such techniques are nonetheless very costly together with a correspondingly highly effective graphics card. Most customers will due to this fact use the Mini IT 13 standalone.

The Iris XE onboard graphics within the i9-13900H can be fairly quick by itself and managed to render present video games in Full HD on medium graphics settings within the check. Nonetheless, I discover it annoying that Geekom depends on DDR4 reminiscence and never the newer DDR5 commonplace. That is already the case with the Geekom AS6 (assessment), the equal AMD model of the Mini IT 13.

Regardless of these minor drawbacks, the Geekom Mini IT 13 delivered a really passable efficiency within the check. I used it for normal work with Google Chrome in addition to for picture modifying and video modifying. The Intel i9-13900H is especially effectively suited to such duties. Processors of the i9 class have plenty of cores and might thus carry out many calculations on the identical time. And that is a bonus when rendering photos or movies.

Nonetheless, the CPU can’t faucet its full efficiency within the Mini IT 13. It is because Geekom installs a TPD (Thermal Design Energy) with a most of 45 W, though the i9-13900H can eat as much as 115 W in Turbo energy consumption in line with the producer. Thus, extra would have been potential right here if Geekom had created the corresponding situations. Nonetheless, for the reason that fan is already closely careworn, we would see a restrict within the well-known Geekom case design right here.

It’s much less of a bonus relating to video video games, whereby I see the shortage of a devoted GPU as an even bigger drawback right here. However, the mini-PC convinces within the benchmarks.

It is usually evident right here that Geekom lastly installs a sooner SSD than in older fashions. Nonetheless, I couldn’t fairly replicate the highest speeds, which may be as much as 4,500 MB/s for studying and writing in line with the producer, within the benchmark.

By the way in which, the Mini IT 13 connects wirelessly through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 together with your router or corresponding gadgets. Stable, however nothing particular.

Energy provide

Geekom provides a 120 W energy provide for the Mini IT 13. This makes use of a proprietary connector, which I don’t like as a lot in on a regular basis use. The put in {hardware} is mainly on par with highly effective notebooks, and I might nonetheless wish to see a USB-C energy provide from Geekom. As a result of related to a suitable monitor, that will be a bit extra handy and tidy on the desk.

Professionals::

• Extra energy environment friendly than conventional desktop PCs.

Cons:

• No energy provide through USB-C.

One other benefit of mini PCs is their comparatively low energy consumption. The Mini IT 13 comes with an exterior energy adapter that may output a most of 120 W. Throughout regular operation, i.e. browsing and light-weight workplace duties, the ability consumption leveled off at 16 W when measured on the energy socket. Beneath full load, on this case, a online game, the consumption by no means elevated to greater than 60 W.

Thus, even probably the most highly effective Intel-based Geekom PC is extraordinarily frugal. On the identical time, the ability consumption stays low sufficient that the PC might be powered through USB-C. My Huawei monitor gives energy supply of as much as 65 W. Sadly, the pc can’t be equipped with energy through USB-C. That will make my desk at residence a bit tidier.

Closing verdict

Whereas hardly something has modified on the skin of the Mini IT 13, Geekom upgrades the Mini PC on the within. We now discover the newest processor era from Intel and might optionally configure the at the moment strongest Intel processor with 45 W energy consumption. This makes a extremely good impression in on a regular basis use, however Geekom restricts the efficiency in interplay with different elements.

The considerably outdated reminiscence commonplace for the RAM additionally left a nasty style within the check, particularly since different Geekom fashions already work with DDR5 RAM. Nonetheless, the upgradeability is even higher due to a complete of three reminiscence requirements for mass storage. The connectivity can be spectacular, though a USB-C port on the entrance and HDMI 2.1 would have been fascinating.

These in search of the smallest potential mini-PC with plenty of efficiency will nonetheless be very effectively suggested with the Mini IT 13. By way of worth, it’s particularly value it when Geekom gives low cost promotions. When you’ve got a bit extra space in your desk, you’ll be able to alternatively go for fashions with a Micro-ATX case. These are additionally compact however supply sufficient house for a devoted graphics card.