Introduction

GEEKOM Mini IT12 Mini PC review 
Power-Packed Mini PC with Intel Core i7 Processor

In the increasingly competitive market of compact computing, Geekom has carved a notable niche with its range of mini PCs. This review takes a detailed look at the Geekom Mini IT12, the successor to the well-received Mini IT11. At its heart is the 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor, promising substantial computing power. The Geekom Mini IT12, a compact and technically proficient mini PC, comes fitted with an Intel Core i7-1260P, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and Windows 11 Professional. As of now, the pricing for this configuration stands at €539, down from the initial price tag of €829 suggested by the manufacturer. The Geekom Mini IT12 finds its most significant competitors in the Intel NUC series, particularly the Wall Street Canyon and Arena Canyon models, which offer powerful system-on-chips (SoCs) and a comparable design aesthetic. Other formidable competitors include select models from Morefine and Minisforum due to their performance metrics. For an exhaustive comparison of similar devices, please refer to the review's accompanying table. This mini PC also embeds the latest WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity options, two USB4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and five USB ports, offering a wide range of connectivity solutions.

Unit Price	$629
Dimensions	50 mm x 115 mm x 110 mm
Weight	575g
Material	Plastic Frame
CPU	Intel Core i7-1260P (12 cores, 16 threads, 2.1 – 4.7 GHz)
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory	16G DDR4-3200
interface	3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A; 1x USB 2.0; 2x USB4 Type-C; 1x 3.5mm jack; 2x HDMI 2.0; 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet LAN
OS Support	Windows 11 Pro
Wireless LAN	Wi-Fi 6E - Bluetooth 5.2
Power Adapter	20V ,90W
Accessories	1 x Power Adapter1 x User Guide 1x MiniPC

Intel Core i7-1260P: Alder Lake CPU Technical Analysis and Performance Predictions

The Intel Core i7-1260P is a 28W Alder Lake CPU, intended for ultralight laptops, featuring a configuration of 4 performance and 8 efficiency cores. Released in 2022, this mid-tier processor integrates performance cores with Hyper-Threading technology based on the Golden Cove architecture, and efficiency cores based on Gracemont architecture, thereby resulting in a total of 16 threads. Performance core clock speeds span 2.1 GHz to 4.7 GHz, whereas the efficiency cluster operates between 1.5 GHz and 3.4 GHz. 

The efficient cores' performance is hypothesized to parallel that of the Skylake cores in previous processor iterations such as the Core i7-6700HQ. The i7-1260P CPU cores all share an 18 MB L3 cache. Its integrated memory controller accommodates multiple memory types, reaching up to LPDDR5-5200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR4x-4267, or DDR4-3200, with a recommended maximum of 64 GB by Intel. Product powered by the Core i7-1260P may not rival the performance of 12th Gen H Series Intel CPUs in multi-core scenarios, but are predicted to perform well in single-core or short-term tasks, mainly due to the contribution of the Golden Cove cores.

The processor utilizes an integrated Iris Xe graphics adapter with 96 execution units (EUs), peaking at 1.4 GHz, identical to the Tiger Lake UP3 processors such as the i7-1165G7. The graphics adapter supports advanced features like AV1 video decoding and SUHD 4320p monitor output, and allows for simultaneous connection of up to four monitors. Gaming performance is largely dictated by power limits and cooling solutions, with expectations providing sufficient frame rates at 1080p/Medium settings in most games. The i7-1260P processor possesses a base power (PL1) of 28W and a Turbo power (PL2) of 64W, and is fabricated on Intel's third-generation 10nm process, known as Intel 7, designed for enhanced power efficiency.