GEEKOM Mini Air12 Mini PC features Intel N100 CPU, 16GB DDR5, 512GB NVMe SSD, WiFi 6 module

GEEKOM Mini Air12 is a new mini PC powered by an Intel Processor N100 CPU with 16GB DDR5 SO-DIMM memory, a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, and a WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless module from Azureware.

The device also comes with a gigabit Ethernet port, support for up to three displays with HDMI 2.0, mini DP 1.4, and USB-C ports, as well as a few USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack, plus a full-size SD card slot and a Kensington lock slot.

GEEKOM Mini Air12 specifications:

• SoC – Intel Processor N100 Alder Lake-N quad-core/quad-thread processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics @ up to 750 MHz; TDP: 6W
• System Memory – 16GB DDR5-4800 via SO-DIMM socket
• Storage
  • 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe SSD, upgradeable up to 1TB; note: the socket also supports M.2 SATA drives
  • Full-size SD card reader
• Video Output
  • HDMI 2.0 port up to 4Kp60
  • Mini DP 1.4 up to 4Kp60, 8Kp30
  • USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt mode up to 4Kp60, 8Kp30
  • Support for triple display setups
• Audio
  • HDA CODEC
  • 3.5mm audio jack for headphones with microphone
• Networking
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 via Azureware AW-XM548NF module
• USB
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
  • 1x USB Type-C port with DP 1.4 Alt Mode
  • 1x USB Type-C port for data only
  • Internal USB 2.0 interface
• Misc
  • Power button
  • Kensington Lock
  • RTC with battery
  • Fan
  • Power LED (Power on: blue, S3: flashing orange)
  • Storage LED – SATA SSD: red; PCIe SSD: green
• Power Supply – 19V/2.36W (45W) via DC jack
• Dimensions
  • Mini PC: 117 x 112 x 34.2 mm
  • PCB: 109.1 x 107.63mm
• Certifications – CE, RoHS, FCC, CEC, CB, PSE, TELEC

The mini PC comes preloaded with an activated version of Windows 11 Pro and ships with a VESA Mount, a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a user guide. We’ve been reviewing several GEEKOM mini PCs this year, and the build quality is usually really good with a mix of metal and plastic materials and all their mini PCs have upgradable memory, storage, and wireless connectivity which may be more desirable than soldered components. The main downsides here are that the system is actively cooled and it does not come with 2.5GbE networking.

This is all good, but one of the main selling points of Intel Processor N100 mini PCs is their low price and excellent price/performance ratio, and the GEEKOM Mini Air12 mini PC sells for $249 which is a bit higher (probably around $40 to $50 higher) than the cheaper plastic-only models with similar specifications. But you may end up with a more durable product with a 3-year warranty and although we haven’t reviewed this specific model, GEEKOM usually goes with branded memory sticks, M.2 SSDs, and wireless modules without necessarily looking at components with the cheapest price possible.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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