Geekom continues its offensive on the mini PC market and expands its range with the Geekom A8 , now equipped with the latest Ryzen 8000 HS series . Behind its tiny chassis hides a configuration capable of standing up to much larger solutions. The ambition is clear: to offer a reduced format without major concessions on power, even if it means accepting some compromises inherent to this extreme compactness.
Building on the success of the Geekom A7 , the brand is pushing the boundaries even further with an even bolder model. Its 11.2 cm side and only 3.7 cm height reduce the footprint to the bare minimum and place the A8 in direct confrontation with the Apple Mac Mini , which is almost double the size. Inside, Geekom is betting on heavyweights: Ryzen 7 8845HS or Ryzen 9 8945HS , up to 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and surprisingly rich connectivity for a case of this size.
With such a positioning, the Geekom A8 stands out as a credible alternative for demanding users looking for both compactness and performance . By aiming head-on at the Mac Mini, it hopes to appeal to those who want a Windows alternative capable of combining power, versatility and minimalist design.
Table of Contents
Design and connectivity: a concentration of technology
Right out of the box, the Geekom A8 impresses with its tiny size and brushed aluminum construction . The chassis exudes quality, with a rigid assembly and premium finish reminiscent of some much more expensive models. But where the device really surprises is in the connectivity , which is surprisingly generous for a body measuring only 11.2 cm on each side.
The rear houses two HDMI 2.0 , one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 , one USB-A 2.0 , two USB-C ports (one with 40 Gb/s display and power support, and a second limited to 10 Gb/s ) and a 2.5 Gb/s RJ45 port . The front completes the offering with two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 , a headphone jack and even an SD card reader - a rarity in this category, particularly appreciated by content creators.
In terms of heat dissipation, Geekom relies on an Ice Blaze 1.5 that manages to keep the processor below 93°C even under sustained load. This is a remarkable performance considering the density of the components. The noise level remains under control: the fan activates audibly during heavy loads, but is forgotten during office or multimedia use.
By combining an ultra-compact format, comprehensive connectivity and efficient cooling , the Geekom A8 demonstrates a successful design that sacrifices neither versatility nor ergonomics, a point rarely achieved at this level of compactness.
Performance: Power in the palm of your hand
Configuration and storage
Geekom A8 test mini PC features a Ryzen 9 8945HS , supported by 32GB of DDR5-5200 RAM and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD . This trio places the mini PC in a highly competitive configuration for its category.
The storage results are particularly telling: 4,872 MB/s reading and 4,600 MB/s writing , consistent speeds that not only guarantee high system responsiveness, but also smooth transfers for large files. In practice, booting to the Windows desktop takes only 15 seconds , confirming excellent platform optimization.
These performances clearly position the Geekom A8 in the upper mid-range segment, a segment where it easily competes with much larger machines. Its compactness therefore in no way hinders its ability to offer a fast and fluid experience, even for demanding uses.
Multimedia and productivity
The Geekom A8 particularly stands out in the multimedia . 4K video decoding is handled with remarkable ease, using only 2 to 3% of the CPU and 27% of the iGPU . The machine can simultaneously handle four 4K streams , with 75% GPU utilization and only 12% of the CPU , demonstrating notable efficiency in multitasking. Even 8K plays smoothly, with the iGPU reaching 94% load without saturating the CPU, which underlines the integrated chip's ability to handle video-intensive workloads.
When it comes to productivity , the A8 stands out as a powerful mini PC for content creators. Editing 5.7K 360° in Insta360 Studio runs smoothly, with 65% GPU utilization and 33% CPU utilization , ensuring fast and stable processing. More traditional tasks like photo editing , heavy office work , or professional web applications run without limitations, providing a smooth and responsive experience for demanding users.
By combining advanced video management and versatile productivity, the Geekom A8 confirms its positioning as an ultra-compact but capable , able to compete with much larger solutions in creative and professional use.
Gaming: Surprising Performance
The Geekom A8 AMD Radeon 780M graphics , which is particularly impressive for an ultra-compact mini PC. Benchmarks show solid results in Full HD , demonstrating that the iGPU can support comfortable gaming sessions despite the small form factor:
Counter-Strike 2 : 100 to 150 FPS on medium/high settings
Apex Legends : 70 to 128 FPS with low to medium details
Call of Duty WWII : Stable 60 FPS in Full HD
PUBG : 37 to 40 FPS, playable but close to the limit
This performance position the Radeon 780M between a GTX 1650 and an RTX 2050 , offering a decent gaming experience on most current titles in Full HD, with some graphical compromises on the most demanding games. For a mini PC of this size, it's a convincing demonstration of what a modern iGPU can accomplish.
The Geekom A8 mini PC isn't aimed at hardcore gamers, but it remains a credible gaming solution for competitive titles and casual sessions , while maintaining its compactness and versatility for productivity.
Tech Comparison: Geekom A8 vs Mac Mini M4
The Ryzen 8000 HS series over Intel's competition is particularly noticeable in the graphics department. Under demanding titles like God of War , the Ryzen 9 8945HS displays 50 FPS , while an Intel Core i5-1155H struggles to reach 30 FPS . Even the latest Intel Core Ultra are struggling to catch up, leaving AMD and Geekom in the dominant position in this segment for a compact Windows mini PC.
Compared to the Mac Mini M4 , the results are nuanced but favorable to the Geekom A8 in certain uses. The Radeon 780M outperforms the M4's integrated graphics performance in games and real-time 3D rendering, offering higher FPS on competitive titles and better handling of multiple video streams. On the pure CPU side, the Ryzen 9 8945HS and Ryzen 7 8845HS stand out for their multi-threaded versatility, while the M4 excels in macOS-optimized applications but remains limited in certain intensive multi-core tasks under Windows.
The gap between the Ryzen 7 8845HS and the Ryzen 9 8945HS remains modest, around 4% on average , which makes the R7 model more financially interesting for the majority of uses, while retaining sufficient power for multimedia, light gaming and advanced productivity.
In summary, the Geekom A8 offers a compact and powerful Windows alternative that can effectively compete with the Mac Mini M4 , especially for users who prioritize versatility, graphics performance and compatibility with the Windows ecosystem .
Geekom A8 Scalability: A Mini PC Designed to Last
The Geekom A8 doesn't just offer impressive performance in an ultra-compact form factor: it also offers true scalability , a rare asset in this category. Disassembly is simplified thanks to the four access screws , allowing quick access to the RAM, storage and network card. The DDR5 RAM can be expanded up to 64 GB , providing ample upgrade potential for the most demanding professional tasks and heavy content creation workflows.
On the storage side, the M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD is easily replaceable, ensuring that the A8 can evolve with future needs. An M.2 2230 slot accommodates the WiFi 6E card, with the possibility of upgrading to WiFi 7 , thus ensuring future-proof connectivity. The only constraint: a single M.2 port for internal storage, but this is more than compensated for by the USB 4 / 40 Gb/s connectivity , which allows you to add ultra-fast external storage devices without compromising performance.
Comparatively, the Mac Mini M4 offers almost no upgradeability: RAM and storage are soldered, and adding fast peripherals depends solely on USB or Thunderbolt, which limits the options for long-term use or specific configurations. The Geekom A8 therefore stands out for its ability to adapt to future needs , a key criterion for professionals who want to invest in a durable and flexible mini PC.
In terms of practicality , the compact format does not compromise access to components or thermal management: the Ice Blaze 1.5 ensures controlled temperatures even after several manipulations or upgrades, while the rich connectivity remains fully usable without requiring bulky dongles or adapters.
In summary, the Geekom A8 combines compactness, power and modularity , offering a rare flexibility in the ultra-compact mini PC segment , and positions itself as a particularly attractive option for those who want a mini PC capable of evolving with their use , where the Mac Mini remains fixed from the moment of purchase.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Geekom A8
- Ultra-compact format, ideal for small spaces
- High performance with Ryzen 8000 HS processors
- Complete connectivity: HDMI, USB-A/USB-C, 2.5 Gb/s Ethernet, SD reader
- Powerful Radeon 780M iGPU for average Full HD gaming
- Scalability: RAM up to 64 GB and easily replaceable SSD
- Good value for money compared to the Mac Mini
- Case heats up during intensive use
- Fan noise audible under heavy load
- Storage limited to a single internal M.2 SSD
Pricing and positioning
The Geekom A8 is positioned in the ultra-compact mini PC market with a clear and competitive price list. The base configuration, Ryzen 7 8845HS , 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD , is offered at €799 , while the high-end version equipped with the Ryzen 9 8945HS with 2 TB of storage peaks at €949 .
This positioning is particularly attractive when compared to equivalent Intel alternatives. For example, mini PCs equipped with an Intel Core Ultra with similar performance and comparable RAM/SSD options often exceed a thousand euros , without offering as comprehensive connectivity or the same upgrade capacity.
Compared to the Mac Mini M4 , the comparison is also interesting. The Mac Mini with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is around €1,599 , almost €800 more than the Geekom A8. Beyond the price difference, the A8 offers a full Windows , more varied connectivity , and the possibility of upgrading the RAM and storage , advantages that the Mac Mini does not offer.
The Geekom A8 is positioned as an ultra-compact and powerful alternative , offering a price/performance/connectivity/scalability that is particularly attractive for demanding users who want a flexible and high-performance mini PC without breaking their budget.
And is the Beelink SEi14 a strong competitor for the Geekom A8?
The Beelink SEi14 is powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processors, offering up to 16 cores and 22 threads, with frequencies up to 5.1 GHz. It also integrates an NPU for accelerating artificial intelligence tasks. This mini PC is particularly suitable for professional environments requiring optimal compatibility with Intel technologies and easy integration into existing infrastructures.
Performance comparison
In terms of raw performance, the Geekom A8 with the Ryzen 9 8945HS outperforms the SEi14 in many areas, notably thanks to its integrated Radeon 780M graphics card, which offers superior gaming and multimedia performance. However, the SEi14 remains competitive for tasks requiring high CPU power, such as 3D rendering or intensive professional applications.
The choice between the Geekom A8 and the Beelink SEi14 depends primarily on the user's specific needs. If graphics performance and multimedia versatility are the priority, the Geekom A8 is an excellent choice. However, for applications requiring raw processor power and integration into an Intel ecosystem, the Beelink SEi14 remains a solid option.
Conclusion of the Geekom A8 review
The Geekom A8 stands out as one of the most accomplished mini PCs on the market today. It combines an ultra-compact format , remarkable performance and rich and versatile connectivity , offering a complete experience for both productivity and multimedia. Gaming exceed expectations for an iGPU, handling multiple 4K or 8K video streams is smooth, and power consumption remains under control, with an average of 45 W and a peak of 120 W under maximum load.
In the competitive world of mini PCs, the A8 not only rivals the latest Intel , but also offers attractive value for money against the Mac Mini M4 , while offering the expandability that Apple's machine does not allow. Only some very specialized software, requiring a dedicated graphics card, remains out of reach, but for 95% of common uses , the A8 is a perfectly suitable solution.
For users undecided between the two processors, the Ryzen 7 8845HS version stands out for its optimal price-performance ratio : the performance gap with the Ryzen 9 8945HS is limited, and the additional €100 for the R9 version is not justified for the majority of uses.
In summary, the Geekom A8 is a small technological marvel , capable of seducing professionals, content creators and demanding users who are looking for compactness, power and scalability in a single mini PC.
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