Several months back I had the chance to test out GEEKOM’s Mini IT8 Mini PC and appreciated all of the great features it had to offer in its tiny build. Fast-forward to now, with the release of its new MiniAir 11, GEEKOM has yet again managed to impress me not only with this Mini PC’s sleek and small design but its easily digestible price tag of merely $279. If you need a family PC on a budget, this is the exact thing for you.

What’s in the Box

The unboxing process for this PC is simple and effective. You get the MiniAir 11, a carrying bag, its power cables, an HDMI cable, a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter, a VESA mount, and screws, as well as its user guide. For its price, you really do get a lot of bang for the buck.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

Moving onto its looks; this PC is very sleek and is somehow, even smaller than the Mini IT8. This can fit almost anywhere in the house without being in the way at all. I also like this model's gunmetal grey color with the glossy black top. It creates a look that makes it seem professional.

When it comes to its build quality, you can’t really go wrong here. This almost feels like it wants you to knock it around a bit with just how great it feels. Being that it’s mostly constructed of metal you won’t have to worry about kids or a cat knocking it around the desk or, dare I say, onto the floor either.

Specs and Special Features

One of the best parts about this PC is the fact that you get Windows 11 Pro with it. That’s kind of incredible when you take into account that its price is so cheap. The software on its own is almost as much as the PC. As for its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, I was pretty impressed to have no visible issues with either. These are other features that you can’t find that often unless you’re willing to pay more for them. The added fact is that expandable storage and memory make this perfect for anyone who wants to eventually get a bit more out of it.

CPU - 11th Gen Intel Celeron N5095
GPU - Intel UHD Graphics 605
Memory - Dual-channel DDR4 SODIMM, expandable up to 32GB
Storage - 1x SSD (M.2 SATA/PCIe), expandable up to 1TB
OS - Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed)
Feature - Built-in Quiet Fan
Wireless Connectivity - Bluetooth v4.0, Intel Wi-Fi 5
Ethernet - 1000Mbps LAN

Functionality

For the first few days, I really didn’t have any issues. I did have a hiccup when I tried downloading a program, but it was remedied after a few days. Zipping around was easy, and multitasking was as smooth as ever. Though a few days ago I started to notice some dips in performance. After inspecting things a bit further I noticed that the RAM was chugging. I managed to get it under control though. It appeared that the HyperX software for my mouse and keyboard was tiring this little thing out. After uninstalling, things went back to normal rather quickly.

As for gaming, it was made clear to me when I accepted this review that this wasn’t a gaming PC by any means. Though it is worth pointing out that GEEKOM advertises that lighter gaming can be experienced here. My findings? You will have no issue running games that have mercy on low-end PCs. You’ll be able to play things like Among Us or Brawlhalla with no issues at all. This really is geared towards being a PC for professionals and families, so high-end gaming was never on the table to begin with.

What It Could Have Done Better

My sole issue was the fact that the RAM seemed to chug a bit with simple software every so often. Once I noticed this and got rid of the problem by uninstalling said app, my issue was fixed. The RAM is expandable, so in doing so, a user wouldn’t probably run into this same issue as me if they expanded it. And honestly, this is a small gripe that can be overlooked when taking into account what this PC was made for.

Verdict

The MiniAIr 11 is one of the coolest devices that I’ve had the chance to review. The PC itself is fantastic, it comes with all of the accessories that you’d need, it comes with Windows 11 Pro, and the best part, the price is amazing for the entire package it comes with. If you are looking for a PC that gets the job done whether it’s used for the family, work, school, or light gaming, then this is the exact PC that you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in checking out the MiniAir 11 or any of GEEKOM’s other products, click right here for its website.