Geekom Mini IT13: The Ultimate Mini PC Review
Introducing the Geekom Mini IT13, a powerful and flexible Mini PC that takes the concept of its predecessors, the Mini IT12 and Mini IT11, to the next level. Equipped with a chip that never made it into the official Intel NUC product line, this machine offers impressive performance and versatility.
However, despite its upgraded processor and support chipset, there is very little difference between the Mini IT13 and its predecessors. The key factor that sets this machine apart is its use of a mobile processor designed for battery-powered laptops. While the Mini IT13 itself is not battery-powered, the power limitations still affect its performance, especially when paired with DDR4 memory.
That being said, the Geekom Mini IT13 is still a powerful machine that can be upgraded with additional memory and storage. It excels in tasks that involve external devices connected via USB or Thunderbolt, making it a great choice for serving files from external storage or functioning as a hardware firewall.
Though it may not be the fastest Mini PC available, even with a Core i9 processor, those in search of the ultimate small system solutions should consider exploring the section for AMD Ryzen 9 systems from Geekom and other manufacturers.
Pricing and Availability:
The Geekom Mini IT13 is available now with prices starting at $499/£449. Buyers can purchase the Mini IT13 directly from Geekom or from Amazon. In the UK, there are four different SKUs available, ranging from the Intel I5-12500H with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to the flagship i9-13900H model with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of onboard NVMe storage. Prices for these SKUs range from £499 to £699. US customers have three SKUs to choose from, with prices ranging from $499 to $789 for the i9 variant.
Specifications:
The Geekom Mini IT13 is powered by the Intel Core i9-13900H processor with 14 cores and 20 threads. It features Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics with 96 execution units, 32GB of LPDDR4X RAM (expandable to 64GB), and a 2TB Lexar NM7A1 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD. The Mini PC includes a variety of ports, such as USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, USB 2.0, USB 4.0 Type-C, HDMI 2.0, SD Card reader, and a universal audio jack. It also offers 2.5GbE LAN, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 for networking. The system comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro.
Design:
The Geekom Mini IT13 features a compact NUC-sized enclosure and follows similar design elements as its predecessors, the Mini IT12 and Mini IT11. It includes two USB Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and a power button on the front, while the rear houses additional USB ports, HDMI out, and a LAN port. Accessing the internals is simple, requiring the removal of four screws underneath the rubber feet. Inside, users will find DDR4 memory slots and an M.2 NVMe drive. The system also includes a 2.5-inch SATA bay for easy storage expansion.
Features:
The standout feature of the Geekom Mini IT13 is its Core i9 class processor, specifically the i9-13900H. This mobile processor offers six hyperthreaded P-cores and eight E-cores, resulting in a potential thread count of twenty. The system also supports USB 4.0/Thunderbolt connectivity and PCIe 4.0 M.2 drives, allowing for fast data transfer speeds.
Performance:
When it comes to performance, the Geekom Mini IT13 performs well but is not the fastest Mini PC available. In comparison to other Mini PC designs, including the Geekom AS 6 with a Ryzen 9 processor, the Core i9-13900H falls slightly behind in benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen 9 offers better GPU performance and overall enhancements that outperform the i9 in most tasks.
In conclusion, the Geekom Mini IT13 is a powerful and flexible Mini PC option, offering impressive performance and versatility. While it may not be the fastest option on the market, it excels in tasks involving external devices and provides exceptional connectivity. With various SKUs available and the ability to upgrade memory and storage, the Mini IT13 is a great choice for those seeking a reliable and customizable Mini PC solution.
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