“Cili padi” – this would be the best term to sum up the Geekom Mini IT8.
Mini PCs might be a niche segment in the computing world, but they still have their role. And Geekom’s latest entry, the Mini IT8, is certainly worth checking out if you are looking to replace your office desktop with something that is small, cute, and capable.
Mini PCs are not meant to be a processing powerhouse, which automatically rules it out as a dedicated, modern gaming platform. While you can still indulge in web- or browser-based games and play legacy titles from the turn of the millennium, a mini PC is primarily used for basic productivity tasks such as web browsing, simple spreadsheet calculations, word processing, and very basic graphics and video editing.
An entry-level PC does all of these as well, but the footprint of a mini PC in your workspace makes it a far superior solution.
The Geekom Mini IT8 is powered by an Intel Core i5-8259U processor with four different configurations to choose from. The base model has 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, although you can choose the 512GB configuration, or double up the RAM and choose from 256GB or 512GB of storage space. Prices range from US$439 (RM1,957) to US$499.
Design and connectivity
The Mini IT8 is small in size but huge in performance. Measuring a diminutive 11.7 x 11.2 x 45.6cm and tipping the scales at a mere 565g, you would be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to place it in an unobtrusive manner. With air vents on all three sides, the black casing makes it easy to blend in with just about any workspace configuration.
The front panel carries a USB Type-C port and a USB Type-A slot, in addition to a 3.5mm audio jack socket and the power button. The latter will light up in blue when it is turned on, while a flashing light on the left of the front panel blinks each time the SSD is accessed.
At the rear, the 18V power port is ready to receive juice from a nearby power outlet, while a mini DisplayPort connector accompanies the Ethernet network port, a couple of USB Gen 2 ports, one more USB Type-C (Gen 2) port with DisplayPort support, and a HDMI 2.0 port.
With a bevy of connectivity options, the Mini IT8 is capable of supporting up to four external displays, which should be more than enough for the average office drone.
The integrated Intel Iris Plus 655 graphics chipset is more than capable of handling everyday tasks without sputtering, and for those who enjoy classic gaming with optimised titles from sites such as GOG.com, the Mini IT8 handles them like a champ.
Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 standards are part of the package, and Geekom ensures a degree of future-proofing with the ability to upgrade the RAM to 32GB and by having an extra 2.5-inch SATA HDD slot, where you can have up to 2TB of additional hard drive space, with the SSD upgradable to 1TB.
Performance
The Mini IT8 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed – all you need to do is to initialise it with your Microsoft credentials and you are good to go. Having it up and running with the standard set of productivity applications (Microsoft Office suite and Google Chrome), the Mini IT8 performs brilliantly without a hitch.
There is no presence of bloatware or unwanted applications pre-installed, and boot up takes mere moments, so you can get productive right away. When the processor does flex its muscles during software installation and processor-intensive tasks, you can hear the fan working overtime without being too obtrusive.
While the Mini IT8 would be a great fit for any office as a productivity tool, it also has a role to play at home. You can use the Mini IT8 as a Home Theatre PC (HTPC) in the living room or bedroom since it is small enough to be mounted onto the wall or stashed in a corner without looking out of place.
A HTPC offers the discerning home viewer far more options than a smart TV; and for those who own a large-screen dumb TV with a HDMI port can hook up the Mini IT8 to enjoy the latest streaming services.
The Mini IT8 also works great as an emulator for older consoles since it has the necessary processing firepower to handle game classics without missing a beat.
Bottom line
The Geekom Mini IT8 is not for everybody, but it is brilliant as a reliable, entry-level productivity workhorse for those who want to get up and running quickly. The only caveat would be finding the right keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go along with it since your purchase does not include any of those.
Still, this works out great for those who already know the type of peripherals that suit them. The Mini IT8 offers plenty of bang for your hard-earned ringgit in a refreshing form factor.
You can order the Geekom Mini IT8 from Amazon as it ships to Malaysia, whereas the official site does not support shipping outside of North America.
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.