Mini PCs are always improving and now offer outstanding performance in a compact form. Geekom’s mid-range A5 and A5 Pro offerings impressed me with their power and pricing, and I was excited to get hold of the top-of-the-range IT13 Max.

The IT13 Max takes things up a notch with a high-end Intel processor and adequate RAM to handle demanding apps and multitasking. It’s geared towards content creators, programmers, and power users who want enough oomph to run anything they throw at it without compromises. I tested the IT13 Max for a week for my daily tasks and media creation. I also used it for light gaming and as a TV streamer. Here’s how it went.

4.5/5

Brand

Geekom

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 185H

Graphics

Intel Arc graphics

Memory

24GB

Geekom’s IT13 Max is a high-end mini PC for businesses and demanding professionals.

Pros & Cons

• High-end power
• Impressive port selection
• Three-year warranty

• Plastic housing
• Limited gaming prowess

Price, availability, and specs

All the ports you can ask for

The Geekom IT13 Max has a business-like all-black plastic housing twith massive cooling vents on each side. It’s marginally larger than its mid-tier siblings, at 5.35 x 5.20 x 1,97 inches and 1.84 lbs, which is expected considering the upgraded hardware. The difference is obvious when viewing them side-by-side, but won’t be a big deal for most applications.

What will make a difference is the generous port selection, which puts most full-size PCs and high-end laptops to shame. The front face alone offers four USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, which I found useful for connecting my memory sticks and external drives. The 3.5mm audio jack for headphones and speakers is also on the front and I appreciate its easy accessibility. There’s an SD card reader on the right side and a Kensington Lock on the left, both integrated into the huge air vents.

The back of the IT13 Max offers an abundance of connectivity options, including a USB 2.0 Type-A, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and two USB 4.0 Type-C ports, with one supporting Power Delivery. It goes a step further than most mini PCs, with dual 2.5 Gbps LAN ports for connecting to two networks simultaneously. You also get a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports, which can be paired with the two USB-C ports to support up to four 8K displays.

Everything’s powered by Intel’s flagship 14th Gen Ultra 9 185H CPU. This 16-core, 22-thread processor sets the standard and blows away the competition in terms of raw performance. On my test unit, it was paired with a decent 24GB of RAM, which effortlessly handled all my tasks. Geekom claims the IT13 Max is capable of up to 64W of peak performance, and it’s believable based on my experience.

I found the 500GB to be pretty standard, given the power on hand, and it was adequate for my requirements. Graphics are courtesy of Intel’s Arc chip, which won’t replace a dedicated graphics card but will handle most imaging apps and light gaming.

You can easily upgrade the M.2 SSD by unscrewing four screws on the bottom frame. The RAM is also upgradeable, but more challenging to achieve than other Geekom models as it’s under the motherboard.

The Geekom IT13 Max comes in a classy box containing everything you need to get started. These include a manual, the power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a VESA mounting plate and screws.

The Geekom IT13 Max is available from the official site and Amazon for around $800.

What I liked about the Geekom IT13 Max mini PC

Performance and pricing

I loved the Geekom IT13 Max’s smooth operation. I connected a second monitor and pushed it to its limits with multiple Chrome browser windows while running apps like Microsoft 365, Canva, CapCut, and Audacity, and didn’t experience any lag or delays. During my week of testing, I ran a mix of work-related web-based apps and all my media apps simultaneously with no issues whatsoever.

The IT13 Max’s impressive power and ability to handle four monitors make it ideal for video editors and stock traders who need to keep an eye on large data sets. It’s really a do-all mini PC capable of handling demanding tasks for developers and engineers running LLMs, home lab enthusiasts, and power users. I tested it on Geekbench 7, and it clocked in a single-core score of 2,152 and a multi-core score of 14,500, which is impressive for an $800 mini PC. The GPU score of 30,972 was average and inline with integrated graphics.

I like that the IT13 Max is versatile and handles multiple roles. I used it as a desktop computer for my work and connected it to my TV as a media streaming device. It also became a mobile PC for use on the go when I paired it with a portable monitor and wireless mouse and keyboard.

I’m a gamer at heart and test a few titles on any mini PC. I try to see how they perform. For this, I paired the Geekom IT13 Max with a 27-inch 144Hz monitor. Valorant was smooth, and I got around 120 fps on low settings, 90 fps on medium, and 70 fps on high. Assassin’s Creed Origins wasn’t bad either, and I got around 30fps with GPU usage at 99%. Borderlands 2 was less demanding, and I got around 50 fps with GPU usage at 50%. Overall, the Geekom IT13 Max offers decent gaming performance, but its integrated GPU has limitations.

It was refreshing to use a new Windows 11 PC with no bloatware cluttering the system. I didn’t need to waste time uninstalling unnecessary apps and got straight to business. The clean system optimizes power efficiency, and I enjoyed running my preferred apps only.

Ports galore. I hate using USB hubs and like that the IT13 Max has more ports than I need. I connected my mouse and keyboard to the rear USB ports, together with a gaming monitor via HDMI and a portable monitor via USB-C. I still had space to connect my wireless headset dongle and memory stick to the front USB ports, and a free SD card reader.

I think the IT13 Max has an amazing price-to-performance ratio and delivers excellent value to buyers. For me, the three-year warranty plays a huge role in my buying decision. Any PC purchase is a significant cash outlay, and I prefer having peace of mind about its longevity and durability.

What I didn’t like about the Geekom IT13 Max mini PC

Construction shortcuts

My previously tested A5 Pro had a svelte aluminum chassis, and I was disappointed by the IT13 Max’s plastic housing on a metal base. It felt solid without any flex, and Geekom claims it’s extensively tested for temperature, durability, and more. I just prefer the feel of metal and have more faith in its durability.

The IT13 Max is also more challenging to upgrade than the other models I’ve tested. This probably won’t affect most buyers, and is only worth stressing about if you’re a tinkerer. The M.2 is easily accessible when you open the case, but you’ll need to disassemble the unit to get the RAM located out of sight on the motherboard.

Should you buy the Geekom IT13 Max mini PC?

How much power do you need?

This comes down to what you’ll be using it for. I think students and light users who won’t use the IT13 Max to its full capacity will be better off with mid-range alternatives, like the A5 and A5 Pro, which will get the job done for less.

The IT13 Max sits in the upper echelon performance bracket and is best for professionals and businesses seeking power and reliability in a compact package. It was the perfect daily driver PC for me and a joy to use thanks to its clean Windows interface and extensive port selection.

This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Geekom.

Brand

Geekom

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 185H

Graphics

Intel Arc graphics

Memory

24GB

Storage

512GB

Operating System

Windows 11

The Geekom IT13 Max Mini PC is a powerful mini-PC ideal for demanding content creators and programmers.