Geekom XT13 Pro review: NUC mini-PC does without Meteor Lake and only gets an Intel Core i9-13900H

The Geekom XT13 Pro is an entrant into the compact mini-PC market that doesn’t follow the latest CPU trend. Instead of opting for the anticipated Meteor Lake processors, the Geekom XT13 Pro has been equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900H chip. This particular configuration is notable because it decides to utilize a processor that’s typically found in high-performance laptops.

The XT13 Pro includes the Intel Iris Xe G7 integrated graphics with 96 execution units, which helps deliver a solid performance in visual processing, particularly considering the small form factor of the device. As per benchmarks, the Geekom XT13 Pro excels in multi-threaded performance thanks to its Core i9 CPU, which features multiple cores and threads suitable for demanding workloads.

In a head-to-head comparison with alternative systems like the Aoostar GEM12, Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti Ultra, and Acemagic F2A Ultra, the Geekom XT13 Pro holds its ground, showing off impressive results in stress tests and standardized benchmarks such as Prime95, Cinebench R15, and R23, both in single and multi-core tests. For example, the Prime95 V2810 Stress test saw the XT13 Pro averaging temperatures around 89 degrees Celsius, which is competitive against its peers.

The XT13 Pro also went through GPU stress tests, particularly the 1280×720 FurMark 1.19 GPU Stress Test, where it managed to maintain average scores, ensuring that the integrated GPU is capable of handling the test’s demands. These tests simulate heavy graphics workloads, which can be important for users who might use the mini-PC for tasks like video editing or light gaming.

What stands out about Geekom XT13 Pro is its ability to offer laptop-tier muscle in a more compact and potentially more versatile form factor. Its performance profile suggests it’s suitable not only for everyday computing activities but can also be stretched to more intensive tasks like content creation or running multiple applications at once without major issues in thermal management or performance throttling.

For those interested in the mini-PC market, Geekom XT13 Pro represents an option that favors power over the latest processor trends, providing a different kind of value proposition. Users in need of a small, powerful, and potentially less costly alternative to traditional desktops may find the Geekom XT13 Pro to be an intriguing choice.

Future mini-PC buyers should consider their specific needs, the kinds of workloads they intend to run, and whether their priority lies in raw performance, compact size, or a balance of both. The Geekom XT13 Pro, with its Core i9-13900H, signifies one such balance that might just hit the sweet spot for the right user.