Earlier this yr, we had the chance to evaluate the GEEKOM Mini IT8 small type issue laptop. Given the scale and specs, it was a reasonably first rate laptop with an inexpensive price ticket for fundamental residence or enterprise computing. The corporate does have just a few different choices as effectively, with various specs at various value factors.
Estimated studying time: 7 minutes
Our GEEKOM MiniAir 11 evaluate appears like the same small type issue laptop that’s simply upgradable, VESA mountable, however with decrease specs and, consequently, a lower cost level. Should you’ve learn our Mini IT8 evaluate, this one can be fairly related apart from the efficiency part. On that be aware, learn on for our full evaluate!
Specs
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC we reviewed has the next options and specs:
| Processor | Eleventh Gen Intel® Celeron® Processor N5095 (4 Cores, 4 Threads, 4M Cache, as much as 2.90 GHz); TDP 15W |
| GPUs | Intel® UHD Graphics 605 (helps as much as two 4K shows) |
| Reminiscence | Twin-channel DDR4 SODIMMs, 8GB; expandable as much as 32GB |
| Storage | 1 x SSD (SXmicro NF830 2280 M.2 PCIe/SATA), 256GB; expandable as much as 1TB |
| ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, 2x USB-C ports (information solely), SD card reader (USB2.0), 3.5 mm headphone jack, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 1.4 port, Mini DisplayPort, DC jack, Kensington Lock Slot |
| Ethernet | Intel® 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet |
| Wi-fi | Bluetooth v4.2, Intel® Wi-Fi 5 |
| working system | Home windows 11 Professional |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 4.61 x 4.41 x 1.35″ (117 x 112 x 34.2mm) |
| Weight | 1.10 lbs (500.3g) |
What’s within the field
- GEEKOM MiniAir 11
- VESA mounting plates
- 65W energy provide
- HDMI Cable
- mini-DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter
- Comfortable carrying pouch
- VESA mounting screws
- Fast Begin Information
- Thank You Playing cards
Design
Like its sibling, the Mini IT8, the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 is small and fairly non-descript. It’s about 4 5/8″ extensive, 4 3/8″ deep, and a they’re 1 3/8″ in top (1 1/2″ if you included the rubber ft). Black in coloration, 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 on the higher proper.
The entrance of this mini PC has a data-only USB-C port, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack, and a small energy button. The again is the place you will discover a lot of the ports which embody the small spherical 19V energy port for the 65W energy provide, a Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one other data-only USB-C ports, and an HDMI 1.4 port. The left and proper sides have a grille end for air flow. The left has a full-size SD card slot whereas the proper has a Kensington lock slot.
The underside of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 is strong, with 4 rubber ft screwed into the underside. Eradicating the 4 screws within the ft lets you simply entry the center of the system. Right here you may simply add extra storage to the machine. Inside the principle unit, you may see and improve the M. 2 2280 PCIe/SATA SSD drive, in addition to add a second SODIMM RAM chip within the further empty slot. You may also 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 features a mushy carrying pouch for the unit if you are going to be transporting it from place to put. Whereas it suits the mini PC simply wonderful, it would not have sufficient room for the facility adapter and HDMI cable.
After all, to maintain the worth low, the MiniAir 11 does just a few sacrifices right here. The primary is that the USB-C port on the again is information solely and never display-capable. Second, GEEKOM used an HDMI 1.4 port as an alternative of two.0. Third, there is no such thing as a further SSD slot for a 2.5″ SATA SSD to develop storage because the Mini IT8 has. Whereas most individuals needing a really fundamental laptop could be wonderful with out the extra succesful ports, it’s value mentioning the important thing non-upgradeable variations right here.
Total, the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC is compact however nonetheless simple to improve and add further RAM to it. Simply VESA mountable, it may be tucked away out of sight in addition to behind a monitor for a cleaner workspace as effectively.
Software program
Whereas most techniques ship with Home windows 10/11 House, the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC ships with Home windows 11 Professional, supplying you with full entry out of the field to all the buyer and enterprise options Home windows 11 has to supply. Should you’ve learn any of our different current laptop computer or desktop critiques, you will know that we’re fairly large followers of Home windows 11 right here at Techaeris. It is a first rate OS with a contemporary feel and appear and runs simply wonderful, even on a system with an Eleventh-Gen Intel Celeron processor.
Better of all, there is no extreme bloatware, together with antivirus packages, pre-installed on this technique so it is as clear because it will get in the case of a recent Home windows 11 set up.
efficiency
Sometimes talking, I keep away from Celeron processors. Given I had some misconceptions in regards to the IT8 with its Eighth-Gen Intel Core i5 processor (which ended up being fairly appropriate), I figured I might give the MiniAir 11 an opportunity. On that be aware, the Eleventh-Gen Intel Celeron N5095 processor does have 4 cores, 4 threads, 4MB Cache, and runs at as much as 2.90GHz. Our evaluate unit additionally shipped with a 256GB SXmicro NF830 M.2 2280 SSD and 8GB of Wooposit 2666MHz DDR4 SODIMM RAM.
First off, Iran the same old onerous drive learn/write benchmarks:
| CrystalDiskMark Seq Learn (Q8T1) | 546.24MB/s |
| CrystalDiskMark Seq Write (Q8T1) | 436.61MB/s |
| AS SSD Seq Learn | 502.87MB/s |
| AS SSD Seq Write | 391.78MB/s |
| ATTO Seq Learn (max) | 499.51MB/s |
| ATTO Seq Write (max) | 428.71MB/s |
As you may see, although it is an SSD, it is fairly sluggish. Nonetheless, the speeds are simply wonderful for on a regular basis duties reminiscent of internet searching, workplace apps, and audio/video playback. Utilizing Edge with just a few tabs open was wonderful as effectively, it took 10 or so earlier than it began to decelerate. Should you’re not doing any kind of graphics work or gaming, and are not an influence person, this field will do the trick, albeit a bit slower than different mini PCs just like the IT8 with higher internals.
I did, after all, use it extensively for day-to-day work for a bit and had no points with it the onboard graphics labored effectively for doc processing, internet searching, and video streaming (Netflix at 4K HDR), and I had no issues working two 4K displays on it briefly throughout testing. All mentioned, it wasn’t as sluggish as I assumed it will be primarily based on my earlier (albeit years previous) expertise with Celeron processors.
I did take a look at Heroes of the Storm and even on medium settings, it supplied up fairly low framerates. As such, you will doubtless wish to keep on with very fundamental video games like Microsoft Solitaire on this PC. As well as, when working and in use all day, the Mini Air 11 did not get too heat to the contact.
Positive, you may add extra RAM and even improve to a special SSD, however you then’re including to the associated fee right here. Should you do want one thing with a bit extra oomph, I might positively go together with the Mini IT8 for the additional value.
Value/Worth
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC retails for a mere US$279.99 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Even higher, the unit is at the moment discounted to $199 on the GEEKOM web site (after coupons are utilized) for Black Friday. If you wish to save a pair extra {dollars}, Amazon has it listed at $195, placing it in impulse buy territory if it fits your wants.
Picture Galleries
What’s included with the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The entrance of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The again of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The correct aspect of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The left aspect of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The underside of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC.
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC and included carrying pouch.
The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC opens simply for RAM and SSD upgrading.
Wrap-ups
Given the specs and efficiency of the GEEKOM MiniAir 11, you’re restricted in what you are able to do with it. Nonetheless, given its very inexpensive price ticket, if you happen to’re in search of a smaller PC that’s greater than enough for fundamental residence or enterprise computing duties, or to be used as a TV field/server, you may’t go fallacious right here. Should you require a bit extra efficiency and a few gentle picture/video modifying capabilities, I might cross on this and decide up the Mini IT8 as an alternative.
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Final Up to date on November 23, 2022.
GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC
US$279.99
Nailed it
- Compact measurement
- Acceptable efficiency for fundamental internet/workplace duties
- Straightforward to improve RAM and storage
- Loads of ports
- Ample air flow
- Quiet
- Contains VESA mounting adapter plate
- Contains all cables required (together with HDMI)
- Very affordably priced, particularly on sale
Wants work
- Just one configuration out there
- M. 2 SATA, not NVMe
- USB-C just isn’t display-capable
- HDMI 1.4 as an alternative of two.0
- Low-end CPUs
- Decrease finish SSD and RAM sluggish efficiency
