Geekom Mini IT 13 Assessment: Environment friendly PC Powerhouse for the House 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 undoubtedly be known as high-performance for its product class. Sadly, Geekom limits the processor’s full potential a bit. The in any other case superb connectivity can also be marred by the shortage of HDMI 2.1. I might additionally want for a USB-C port on the entrance subsequent time.

Aside from that, the Mini IT 13 is an excellent mini PC that can also be appropriate for uncomplicated video modifying and picture processing. Geekom regularly reductions the mini PC, making it a powerful 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 large leaps with the design of the Mini IT 13. The small pc 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 colour scheme right here. The connectivity is as soon as once more strong, and we additionally discover an SD card reader constructed into the facet.

Execs:

• 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 need to create a balancing act between desktop PC and pocket book in a mini-PC. The benefit is that the machine is simple to take alongside and hardly takes up any house on the desk. On the identical time, extra ports must be obtainable in comparison with a pocket book. And the repairability and upgradeability must also 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 steel body at its core. On prime of that, Geekom places a darkish blue plastic case, which reveals a slight glitter impact in the correct mild. 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 by way of USB-C. I’m shocked that Geekom makes use of an outdated HDMI customary. Additionally it is shocking that there’s nonetheless a USB 2.0 port in USB-A format. Listed below 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 facet
• Proper facet
• Rear facet
  • 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 increasingly peripherals are transformed to the fashionable USB customary, you’ll due to this fact have to show the PC over regularly for on a regular basis use. If you happen to additionally need to use a number of shows, the rear ports is perhaps occupied shortly. A tip right here could be to attach a number of displays in collection by way of “daisy chaining” by way of USB 4.0.

The repairability of the Geekom Mini IT 13 is strong, as with all different fashions. If you happen to unscrew the mini PC by way of 4 screws beneath the case, you possibly can substitute the RAM and the arduous disk in M.2 PCIe Gen 4 format. You can even set up one other arduous drive or SSD in 2.5-inch SATA format in addition to one in M.2 SSD format.

In response to the producer, the utmost pre-configured configuration is 2 TB, the M.2-2242 SSD can deliver a most of 1 TB, and a most of two TB is allowed within the small case by way of a 2.5-inch SATA. This ends in a most of 5 TB—the DDR4 RAM has a most of 64 GB.

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

Software program and drivers

Home windows 11 Professional welcomes you once 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’t switch the license to different gadgets, however you will have the choice to put in different working programs by way of dual-boot or standalone.

Execs:

• 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 straight away with the Geekom Mini IT 13 may 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 in recent times. Due to this fact, Home windows 11 Professional typically feels as intuitive as macOS and even Android on the smartphone.

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

That is all there’s 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 to this point, as a result of it’s geared up with Intel’s newest processor era. Happily, Geekom additionally despatched us the flagship with 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of space for storing, and an Intel i9-13900H. Nonetheless, the processor can not use its full energy within the mini-PC. And the RAM additionally makes us frown after we take a look at the spec sheet.

Execs:

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

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 possibly can join an exterior GPU (eGPU) by way of USB-C. Nonetheless, such programs 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 also 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 customary. That is already the case with the Geekom AS6 (overview), 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 lots 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 not faucet its full efficiency within the Mini IT 13. It’s because Geekom installs a TPD (Thermal Design Energy) with a most of 45 W, though the i9-13900H can devour as much as 115 W in Turbo energy consumption in line with the producer. Thus, extra would have been doable right here if Geekom had created the corresponding circumstances. Nonetheless, because the fan is already closely confused, we’d see a restrict within the well-known Geekom case design right here.

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

Additionally it is evident right here that Geekom lastly installs a sooner SSD than in older fashions. Nonetheless, I couldn’t fairly replicate the highest speeds, which will 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 by way of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 together with your router or corresponding gadgets. Strong, 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 principally on par with highly effective notebooks, and I might nonetheless prefer to see a USB-C energy provide from Geekom. As a result of related to a appropriate monitor, that will be a bit extra handy and tidy on the desk.

Execs::

• Extra energy environment friendly than conventional desktop PCs.

Cons:

• No energy provide by way of 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 lightweight workplace duties, the ability consumption leveled off at 16 W when measured on the energy socket. Below 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 by way of USB-C. My Huawei monitor presents energy supply of as much as 65 W. Sadly, the pc can’t be equipped with energy by way of USB-C. That may 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 presently 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 customary for the RAM additionally left a foul 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 also be spectacular, though a USB-C port on the entrance and HDMI 2.1 would have been fascinating.

These searching for the smallest doable mini-PC with lots of efficiency will nonetheless be very effectively suggested with the Mini IT 13. By way of worth, it’s particularly price it when Geekom presents low cost promotions. In case you have a bit extra space in your desk, you possibly can alternatively go for fashions with a Micro-ATX case. These are additionally compact however supply sufficient house for a devoted graphics card.