GEEKOM Mini Air12 Review: A Budget-Friendly Intel N100 Mini PC with DDR5 Memory and PCIe Gen 3 Storage

There is a wide range of mini PCs available in the market today, particularly in the “4 inch x 4 inch” form-factor. These mini PCs come in various price ranges and performance levels. One such Mini PC is the Geekom Mini Air12, which aims to provide decent performance at an affordable price.

The GEEKOM Mini Air12 resembles the popular Intel NUC line in terms of design. However, since Intel has discontinued its NUC business, other companies like GEEKOM have stepped in to fill the gap. The Mini Air12 features an Intel N100 processor based on the Alder Lake-N architecture, ensuring a balance between performance, price, and power consumption. It also comes with a 3-year warranty, which adds to its appeal as a business-friendly option.

While the NUC family of mini PCs is not completely dead, ASUS has taken over the marketing and development of the NUC brand, focusing mainly on higher-end systems. This leaves room for mini PCs like the GEEKOM Mini Air12 to cater to users who are looking for a more affordable option without compromising on performance.

In terms of specifications, the GEEKOM Mini Air12 comes with an Intel Processor N100 chip, 16 GB of DDR5 memory, and a 512 GB SSD. It features a compact plastic case with active cooling provided by a fan. The front of the computer houses various ports, including USB Type-C and Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and an illuminated power button. The back of the computer houses additional ports such as Power jack, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet port, and more.

Inside the computer, you’ll find a motherboard with a soldered-on Wi-Fi 6 chip that also provides Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. There is also an M.2 2280 NVMe/SATA SSD slot and a DDR5 SODIMM memory slot. The Mini Air12 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, but it can also support other operating systems like Ubuntu.

In terms of performance, the GEEKOM Mini Air12 delivers satisfactory results for everyday computing tasks. It performs well in storage benchmarks, with its SSD delivering read and write speeds that match its specifications. The mini PC also performs adequately in various performance tests, including CPU, graphics, and memory benchmarks. However, it is not suitable for demanding gaming tasks.

Connectivity-wise, the Mini Air12 supports multiple displays and offers various options for connecting to networks. It is equipped with ports that support up to 8K resolutions, although the HDMI port is limited to 4K/60Hz.

In terms of power consumption, the GEEKOM Mini Air12 is relatively low-powered and consumes minimal power during idle and stressed conditions. It also operates quietly, thanks to its effective cooling system.

Overall, the GEEKOM Mini Air12 is a capable mini PC that offers decent performance at an affordable price. It is particularly suitable for business users who require a reliable and compact computer for everyday tasks. With its NVMe drive and DDR5 memory, it also provides some level of future-proofing. However, it would have been nice to see a higher Ethernet port speed.

The GEEKOM Mini Air12 is available for purchase on Amazon and GEEKOM.com.

Background Information

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About ASUS: ASUS, founded in 1989 by Ted Hsu, M.T. Liao, Wayne Hsieh, and T.H. Tung, has become a multinational tech giant known for its diverse hardware products. Spanning laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and more, ASUS has gained recognition for its innovation and commitment to high-performance computing solutions. The company has a significant presence in gaming technology, producing popular products that cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a focus on delivering and reliable technology, ASUS maintains its position as a important player in the industry.

  

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About Geekom: Geekom is a Taiwan-based multinational consumer electronics company specializing in mini PCs. It is one of the largest manufacturers of mini PCs in the world. Kom de Olde founded GEEKOM in 2003 with the expressed goal of dedicating the company to the "research and development of computer products". In late 2021, GEEKOM switched its focus to the mini PC market and has become one of the world's leading manufacturers of mini PCs

  

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About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

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DisplayPort: DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is primarily used to connect a computer to a monitor or other display device such as a television. DisplayPort is capable of delivering high-resolution video and audio, as well as providing power to connected devices. It is also capable of daisy-chaining multiple displays together, allowing for a single connection to multiple monitors. This makes DisplayPort a popular choice for gamers, video editors, and other users who require multiple displays. DisplayPort is also used in many laptops and tablets, allowing for a single connection to a monitor or other display device. It is also used in many modern TVs, allowing for a single connection to a computer or other device.

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M.2: M.2, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a computer expansion card format that is designed to replace the outdated mSATA standard. It is thinner and longer than mSATA, which gives it a much higher data transfer rate. The M.2 format measures 22mm in width and can measure up to 110mm in length. It uses the M-key and B-key connectors to interface with PC host systems, and can connect to both SATA III and PCIe for data transfer. Due to its small size, M.2 is often used for ultra-slim laptops and netbooks, as well as in embedded SSDs for tablets and other mobile devices. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the desktop computer industry, thanks to its compactness and fast transfer speeds. This makes M.2 ideal for gaming PCs, workstations, and other demanding applications that require high levels of data throughput.

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Mini DisplayPort: The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort interface developed by Apple Inc. It is used to connect a computer to an external display device such as a monitor, projector, or television. It is also used to connect a computer to a home theater system for audio and video streaming. The Mini DisplayPort is capable of transmitting audio, video, and data over a single cable, making it an ideal solution for connecting a laptop to an external display. It supports resolutions up to 4K and can be used with both digital and analog displays. It is also compatible with Thunderbolt, allowing for faster data transfer speeds. The Mini DisplayPort is becoming increasingly popular in the computer industry due to its versatility and ease of use.

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NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

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SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation