An simply upgradeable mini PC that provides nice worth

adminJune 25, 2022

0 1 5 minutes read

When PCs first got here out, they have been giant, heavy, and clunky. Positive you may nonetheless get giant, heavy desktop computer systems however these are extra relegated for gaming and creativity functions. Whereas most individuals use their telephones or laptops today, there are smaller kind issue computer systems which can be nice for private and enterprise use.

Estimated studying time: 7 minutes

Our GEEKOM Mini IT8 evaluate appears at a small kind issue pc that’s simply upgradable, VESA mountable, and first rate sufficient for residence or fundamental enterprise use. Learn on for our full evaluate!

Specs

The GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC we reviewed has the next options and specs (configurable when ordering):

Processor	Intel Core i5-8259U w/ 4 cores, 8 threads, 6MB Intel Sensible Cache @ 2.30GHz (max turbo freq. 3.80GHz)
GPU	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655; Frequency 2350MHz
Motherboard	Maita NUCCFO1 PCI-Categorical 3.0, Intel Espresso Lake
Reminiscence	16GB Kingston dual-channel DDR4 SODIMM RAM (KVR32S22D8/16), Slot x2, expandable to 32GB
Storage	• 1x 512GB M.2 SATA PCIe SSD (Kingston OM8PDP3512B), expandable as much as 1TB • 1x 2.5″ SATA HDD (7mm) slot, expandable as much as 2TB
Ports	USB Sort-C (information solely), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI 2.0, USB Sort-C (information + show), Gbps Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, energy port
Ethernet	1000Mbps LAN
Wi-fi	Bluetooth v4.2, Twin-Band Wi-Fi 2.4G+5G
Options	Constructed-in quiet fan, CIR (shopper infrared) operate, helps 4 shows
Working system	Home windows 11 Professional (pre-installed), helps Linux, Android x86, FydeOS, and extra
Dimensions (W x D x H)	4 5/8 x 4 3/8 x 1 3/4″

What’s within the field

GEEKOM Mini IT8
VESA mounting plate
90W energy provide
HDMI cable
Delicate carrying pouch
SATA HDD mounting screws
VESA mounting screws
Fast Begin Information

Design

As is the case with mini PCs, the GEEOKIM IT8 is small and fairly non-descript. It’s about 4 5/8″ broad, 4 3/8″ deep, and a mere 1 3/4″ in peak. Black in color, it does have rounded edges for a clean end. The highest is gloss black with the GEEKOM emblem printed throughout the center and the Intel Inside emblem within the higher proper.

The entrance of this mini PC has a data-only USB-C port, a USB-A 3.2 port, a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack, and a small energy button. The again is the place you’ll discover many of the ports which embody the small spherical 19V energy port for the 90W energy provide, a Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet port, two extra USB-A 3.2 ports, one other USB-C port with show assist, and an HDMI 2.0 port. The left and proper sides have a grille end for air flow. The left has a full-size SD card slot whereas the appropriate has a Kensington lock slot.

The underside of the GEEKOM Mini IT8 is stable, with 4 rubber toes screwed into the underside. There are additionally 4 smaller plugged holes and two within the center. The 4 plugged holes are for securing a 2.5″ SATA HDD drive, whereas the center two are for mounting it with the included VESA mount adapter plate.

Eradicating the 4 screws within the toes permits you to simply entry the heart of the system. You do need to watch out eradicating the underside plate, nonetheless, as there’s a connector cable for the two.5″ SATA HDD drive connector positioned on the opposite aspect of the plate. Right here you may simply add extra storage to the machine. Inside the principle unit, you may see and improve the M.2 SATA SSD drive, in addition to add a second SODIMM RAM chip within the additional empty slot. You may as well improve your RAM simply by eradicating the primary and changing it with a bigger RAM chip, as much as a most of 32GB (16GB per channel).

GEEKOM additionally included a smooth carrying pouch for the unit in the event you’re going to be transporting it from place to put. Whereas it suits the mini PC simply superb, it doesn’t have sufficient room for the ability adapter and HDMI cable.

Total, the GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC is compact however nonetheless simple to improve and add further storage and RAM to it. Simply VESA mountable, it may be tucked away out of sight as effectively behind a monitor for a cleaner workspace as effectively.

Software program

Whereas most methods ship with Home windows 10/11 Residence, the GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC ships with Home windows 11 Professional, providing you with full entry out of the field to all the buyer and enterprise options Home windows 11 has to supply. In case you’ve learn any of our different current laptop computer or desktop evaluations, you’ll know that we’re fairly massive followers of Home windows 11 right here at Techaeris. It’s a good OS with a contemporary feel and look and runs simply superb, even on a system with an Eighth-Gen Intel Core i5 processor.

If you want, you may simply set up one other working system to this mini PC, together with Linux, Android x86, FydeOS, or others. Better of all, there’s no extreme bloatware, together with antivirus packages, pre-installed on this method so it’s as clear because it will get in relation to a recent Home windows 11 set up.

Efficiency

After I learn the specs for the GEEKOM Mini IT8, my first thought was that it’s utilizing an outdated processor. Being an Intel Core i5-8259U, we’re a mid-range CPU that’s 3 or 4 generations outdated. That being mentioned, it does have 4 cores, 8 threads, 6MB Intel Sensible Cache, and runs at 2.30GHz with a max turbo frequency of three.80GHz. Our evaluate unit additionally shipped with a 512GB Kingston M.2 SATA PCIe SSD and 16GB of Kingston DDR4 SODIMM RAM.

First off, I ran the standard exhausting drive learn/write benchmarks:

CrystalDiskMark Seq Learn	1,642 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Seq Write	1,209 MB/s
AS SSD Seq Learn	1,394 MB/s
AS SSD Seq Write	1,047 MB/s
ATTO Seq Learn	1,530 MB/s
ATTO Seq Write	1,510 MB/s
AJA System Check Learn	1,405 MB/s
AJA System Check Write	1,437 MB/s

Whereas there are a lot sooner drives on the market, these speeds are greater than satisfactory for day-to-day and most workplace computing. A UserBenchmark take a look at confirmed that the SSD rating is appropriate for heavy workstation use, whereas the processor — despite the fact that it’s a few generations older — is nice for on a regular basis duties comparable to internet looking, workplace apps, and audio/video playback. As well as, it may be used as a light-weight workstation or perhaps a gentle server.

I did, after all, use it extensively for day-to-day work for a bit and had no points with it. Whereas it did have onboard graphics, it was nonetheless o.okay. for each (gentle) Photoshop and Lightroom work along with doc processing, internet looking, and video streaming.

Sadly, as a result of it solely having an Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 graphics processor, it isn’t the best for gaming however will deal with fundamental video games at decrease resolutions. I didn’t take a look at out many however I used to be in a position to run Heroes of the Storm on medium settings with first rate sufficient framerates.

As well as, when working and in use all day, the Mini IT8 didn’t get overly heat to the contact.

Worth/Worth

Out there in a number of configurations, the GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC begins at US$439 for the 8GB RAM+256GB SSD model. Our evaluate unit is priced at $499. Each costs are very affordable for what you get, nonetheless, they’re additionally discounted by $50 on the GEEKOM web site.

You may as well snag the 8GB RAM+512GB SSD model on Amazon for beneath $400.

Wrap-up

Given the specs and efficiency of the GEEKOM Mini IT8, alongside its very inexpensive price ticket, in the event you’re on the lookout for a smaller PC that’s greater than satisfactory for fundamental residence or enterprise computing duties, you may’t go improper right here.