Image credit: Alastair Jennings
Miniature Power: That’s What You Get With the Geekom Mini Air12
The Geekom Mini Air12 Mini PC is a great pick when looking for a small, lightweight PC. By utilizing the 12th Generation Intel Alder Lake N100 Processor, it manages to strike a harmonious blend between power consumption and processing efficiency. Our review unit came with 512 GB of M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x 4 SSD storage and 16 GB of DDR5 RAM, with the option to upgrade to 2 TB if needed.
This tiny PC has integrated graphics and a modest form factor, but it can still handle up to three displays—including 8K—so it’s suitable for work and pleasure. Even though video editing apps won’t be able to handle it, this functionality is great for creative people who use many monitors.
Mini Air12 doesn’t skimp on build quality despite its diminutive dimensions (116 x 111 x 35 mm) and weight (498 g). With USB Type A and C conveniently located on the front, the high-quality plastic case feels sturdy, and the port placement enhances its usability. Amidst most processing operations, the cooling system keeps reasonably quiet despite being packed into a compact space.
The Mini Air12 has a simple, elegant style that should blend in with any environment thanks to its grey body and black top plate. If you need a portable computer, this tiny beauty is perfect. Also, the interior components are easy to reach for maintenance or upgrades; for example, there are four screws on the base that allow you to quickly access the inner workings, so you may upgrade it when you need to.
Price and Availability
After dropping from $489, the Geekom Mini Air12 is now selling for $249, which is a very competitive pricing. This is an excellent option if you are seeking a tiny PC that strikes a good mix between price and performance.
Regarding accessibility, it may be easily found on the Geekom website. Availability may differ. Therefore, checking the website or official dealers for the latest information is best.
Design
A focus on practicality and ease of use characterizes the design of the Geekom Mini Air12. Its diminutive dimensions (117 x 112 x 34.2 mm) make it a good choice for confined areas like desks, bookshelves, or behind monitors. Workplaces, classrooms, and living rooms are the primary target audiences for this device. But don’t let that fool you; the Air12’s body is constructed from high-quality plastic, so it feels and looks sturdy. Its grey body and black top plate provide a modest yet fashionable aesthetic.
The port architecture is one of its most vital points, with a respectable selection on the front and rear and a side SD card slot that is especially useful for photographers. The Mini Air12 may be tiny, but it feels substantial thanks to its weight.
Regarding cooling, the Mini Air12 has a slight cooling system that handles heat well. Maintaining a tolerably low level of fan noise guarantees a peaceful working atmosphere.
Regarding the ability to be upgraded, The four cross-head screws that secure the base allow simple access to critical internal components, including the RAM and M.2 slots.
Features
With its versatile design, the Geekom Mini Air12 can do everything from workplace tasks to home entertainment. With its 12th Generation Intel Alder Lake N100 Processor at its heart, the Mini Air12 strikes an ideal mix between power and efficiency, making it an excellent choice for everyday work. The system comprises an M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x 4 SSD—which can be upgraded to 2TB—and 16GB of DDR5-4800 SODIMM memory.
With fast boot times and application performance thanks to disk data transfer speeds, this drive helps enhance overall performance in a system of this level. You can choose between Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, two alternatives that work together to ensure your wireless connection is stable.
Whether you’re a power user or an avid gamer, the Mini Air12 can accommodate up to three displays—including 8K—for optimal performance. We did feel that the processing power of this machine won’t entirely fulfill the expectations of experts, even though this function is beneficial for those connected to the best monitors for graphic design or video editing.
When it comes to portability, the Mini Air12 is hard to beat. At 498 grams and 117 x 112 x 34.2 mm in size, it’s pretty tiny. This can be an excellent choice if you require a device that can be effortlessly moved from one place to another, whether it’s your house or the office.
Performance
The hardware capabilities of the Geekom Mini Air12 determine how well it performs in video editing and gaming. The Mini Air12’s storage and CPU speeds (as seen in the Crystal Disk and CineBench scores) provide adequate performance for light editing jobs, making it suitable for running top video editing software, especially with HD and 4K content. Due to the processor’s low multi-core speed and the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, extensive editing with several layers or effects can be challenging.
Although the Mini Air12 can run older or less demanding games, it is not up to running more graphically complex games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed, or Red Dead Redemption. According to Fire Strike and Time Spy Graphics ratings, it doesn’t have the graphics power needed to run recent AAA games smoothly. These games often demand high-end CPUs and dedicated graphics cards.
The Geekom Mini Air12 works well for most multimedia and everyday tasks, but its hardware limitations show when it comes to editing high-resolution videos or playing recent games. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something different than a top-tier gaming rig or a professional-grade machine for video editing, this tiny PC is a great pick. The Mini Air12 shines for commonplace activities like web browsing, multimedia, and Microsoft Office.
Final Verdict
For those needing a space-saving PC for everyday usage, office work, and entertainment, the Geekom Mini Air12 is a great pick. It’s small, efficient, and looks great. Everyday computing and basic creative chores are easily met by its robust performance, resulting from the 12th Gen Intel processor and fast SSD.
