Geekom IT11 Mini PC Review: Performant but Pricey
Geekom Mini IT11 PC
Geekom’s latest Mini PC boasts a beefed-up CPU (Intel Core i5 or i7, both 11th Gen) for smashing through your work-from-home tasks. It might not be the best for gaming, but it is great as a streaming device. It’ll incorporate nicely into your home theater system for streaming your favourite movies and TV shows, or as a media server for running content natively.
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Starting at $519.00, some might see it as a tad expensive for a mini PC, especially in a market swamped with cheaper alternatives. So, can the Mini IT11 justify its premium pricing? Let’s find out.
What’s In the Box?
As you’d expect, the box for your mini-PC is going to be pretty small compared to that of a full-sized desktop. Inside the packaging lingers:
And that is everything you need to get started with the IT11 (well, aside from a keyboard, mouse, and display, obviously).
So. Many. Ports.
One thing that stands out about Geekom’s mini PC range is the sheer number of ports available. It is quite astounding when you see what it has packed into this device. Taking a tour around the IT11, you have the following ports:
Aside from all those ports, you’ll find the power button at the front of the IT11. The device comes in black plastic housing, with metal ventilation grilles on the left and right sides. It measures a mere 117 x 112 x 45.6 mm, and weighs only 564.9 grams, so it really does deserve the “mini” nomenclature. The top features the Geekom logo, and the bottom has rubber anti-slip feet, and the screws you remove to access the inside of the IT11, and its internal ports.
Internal Machinations
Yep, so it looks the part, as mini PCs go, but does this IT11 have guts? By that, I mean, what about CPU, GPU, and all the important gubbins inside?
Our test device comes with an Intel Core i7 11th gen CPU. So, while this is not the most up-to-date chip from Intel’s stable, it is an improvement on the IT8s 8th gen CPU. You can also get the Intel i5 equivalent (this model is obviously going to be cheaper than the i7).
In terms of GPU, we’ve got the much maligned Intel iRIS Xe, which means you’re looking at integrated graphics. As I have said countless times over the past year, the inclusion of an iRIS Xe graphics chip means you won’t be able to play many games on this device, despite the beefed up CPU. In that sense, don’t treat this as a gaming PC; it will only support simple, casual games that don’t demand of the GPU. You won’t be playing Fortnite on this device. Put it that way.
For memory you’re looking at 16/32 GB (which you can expand to 64 GB), and for storage, you’ve got a 512GB or 1TB SSD included (upgradeable to 2 TB); the IT11 ships with this, so no need to buy an M.2 card unless it has a larger capacity and you plan to install it straight away. Interestingly, Geekom also includes a space for a 2.5 inch SATA HDD in the base of the IT11, so you can upgrade your memory by an additional 2 TB this way.
The IT11 ships with Windows 11 Pro, so productivity wise, you’re up-to-date straight out of the box (save for updates that landed between manufacture and landing on your doorstep). For connectivity, the IT11 supports Wi-Fi 6 (oooooh!), and Bluetooth version 5.2.
So, with that specced up, let’s see if this thing works a treat…
Portable Productivity Performer
Having experienced several mini PCs, I’ve found the best use cases (for me):
You probably already know how this “regular desktop mini-PC” section of the review will pan out. Considering practical performance, in summary, we have a really solid mini-PC here, which is great for burning through your everyday tasks. This is thanks to that 11th gen i7 powering the PC. As you may expect, it struggles with graphically intensive tasks such as AAA game titles, because it only has the Intel iRIS Xe to run graphics.
I used the Geekom Mini IT11 to complete my everyday tasks. This includes extensive use of the notoriously thirsty Chrome browser to simultaneously carry out myriad tasks: creating Google documents and sheets, writing articles in a CMS (like I am right now), browsing hundreds of websites, holding video meetings, using Photoshop to create and edit images… you get the picture.
I’m delighted to say that it performed all of these operations without a single complaint. Perfect, in view of productivity. Plus, due to its tiny frame, you can be productive anywhere (you’ll still need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, mind).
I tested the IT11 with No Man’s Sky. I had to play on low graphics settings to enable an acceptable frame rate. It probably has enough GPU power to run some games, but the iRIS Xe graphics lets the device down a touch. As I said earlier, this integrated chip poses a problem for people who want to play the latest games. It can’t run them at more than 20 FPS in some cases, meaning that you’ll be the victim of many a Fortnite headshot before you even know you’ve spawned.
If you want to play light, non-intensive games, fine; you’re able to. Same with games using lower graphics settings. And the device works perfectly for it. Likewise, you can enjoy some cloud gaming with the IT11, too, with certain Xbox Cloud games working fine and dandy, so all is not lost gaming-wise. Just don’t expect AAA titles to run at 120 FPS with blindingly realistic ray tracing.
I also integrated the device into my entertainment system, coupling it up with a 4K Sony Bravia TV. Accessing Plex is great, either remotely or with my music server linked directly to one of the IT11’s USB4 ports. Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime’s content streamed like a dream, with the advantage that the IT11 is significantly more responsive than my Amazon Fire Stick, so I can navigate menus and between apps a lot quicker.
So, if you want a device you can add to your home theater, that won’t take up mountains of space, the IT11 is a great option. Especially with the added convenience of that VESA mount.
In all, we have a well-rounded mini-PC here, and it is certainly an improvement on the IT8, in practical use terms.
Benchmarking the Geekom Mini IT11
Benchmarking can be useful in comparing your PC to other PCs, but it’s important to remember it isn’t necessarily representative of the overall user experience. I usedPCMark 10and3DMarkto run some tests on the Mini IT11. Here are the results.
For PCMark 10, the Geerkom Mini IT11 scored well on the general Essentials category (9425), and on Photo Editing (9507). Overall it achieved a score of 5092, which isn’t the highest of scores, but does place the device above 49% of other benchmarked computers on the PCMark database.
For 3DMark, the GPU scores were typically unimpressive thanks to the Intel iRIS Xe chip. I could see this happening before my very eyes when I was running the Time Spy test, which was very choppy indeed. You won’t be able to run AAA titles with max graphics settings (you’ll get under 20 FPS on Fortnite, playing with settings at 1440p Ultra, for example).
However, drop that down to 1080p Ultra, and you’ll get 135 FPS out of the device. So you may play games on it, but not using advanced graphics settings. 3D Mark’s estimated game performance puts Battlefield V at only 45+ FPS, for example, and that is using 1080p resolution, not a more gamer-friendly 1440p.
I would like to point out the CPU score was pretty good, so my assertion that the CPU has some gaming chops is correct. It gleaned a CPU score of 4447, which is not too shabby at all.
Would I Recommend the Geekom Mini IT11?
Based on performance, I would recommend the Geekom Mini IT11. It’s great for everyday tasks, and its minute size means you can save on desk space in comparison to a full-sized desktop counterpart. However, the cost is a minor sticking point for me. The IT11 retails starting at $519 (getting more expensive depending on the CPU you choose), and at this price point, there are other products I would recommend instead, like a Chromebook, for example, which comes with the added advantage of a built-in keyboard, touchpad, and screen.
Saying that, if you are looking for a great mini PC that can cope with powering your productivity while saving on space, or you want a device that will work in perfect harmony with your home theater, then the Mini IT11 has you covered.
If you’re on the hunt for a mini-PC that won’t break the bank, then look no further than Geekom’s Intel i5-loaded Mini IT8
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