I converted this Windows 11 mini PC into a Linux work station – and didn’t regret it

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Geekcom IT 15 Mini PC is accessible on Amazon for $1,100.
• This tiny form-factor PC has loads of energy to spare for on a regular basis duties.
• The one draw back is that the IT15 does not have a devoted GPU.

I’ve all the time loved a mini PC, and any time I can cobble collectively a system with a tiny kind issue, I really feel like a child at Christmas. The newest mini to grace my desktop was the Geekcom IT 15 Mini PC, a very diminutive machine with a wholesome choice of I/O. 

This system measures 4.5 x 4.5 x 2 inches, so it is not solely small, however it additionally features a VESA mount so you’ll be able to connect it to the again of your monitor to resemble an all-in-one.

Additionally: The most effective mini PCs you should purchase

However, for me, nevertheless, the largest promoting level is the facility. Though it is not constructed for severe gaming or quantity crunching, for typical use circumstances, this small PC has greater than sufficient energy.

Let’s chat about it.

My expertise

After unboxing the IT 15 Mini PC, I connected it to a spare monitor and keyboard. After I booted it up, I used to be sadly greeted by Home windows 11. Yeah, not a fan. I went forward and walked by means of the setup, which took far too lengthy, after which did what you in all probability anticipated I’d do.

I burned Linux to a USB flash drive, inserted the drive, rebooted the PC, and put in Ubuntu Budgie. As a substitute of putting in Linux over Home windows, I made a decision to dual-boot them, largely so I may examine the efficiency of every OS. That comparability, after all, is tangential to this evaluate, however it was enjoyable regardless. Plus, I am exponentially extra acquainted with Linux than I’m with Home windows, and I imagine Linux offers me a clearer image of how effectively a PC can carry out. 

After Linux was put in, I booted into it to kick the tires of the PC. My aim was to deal with this as if it have been my main desktop machine, to see if it may stand as much as what I throw at it. The very first thing I did was to put in Ollama AI and Msty, which has change into my go-to check for PC {hardware}. 

I determine if a pc can carry out effectively utilizing an area LLM, it will just about do something the typical consumer would want. One factor to grasp is that native LLMs eat plenty of system assets, and with out an NPU or Nvidia GPU, all processing is on the shoulders of the CPU. 

Additionally: This Home windows mini PC matches in my hand – and helps as much as three 4K screens

Sadly, the IT 15 sports activities an Intel GPU, which suggests the CPU will tackle the whole thing of the AI load, and it confirmed. 

When the set up was full, I fired up the GUI and ran a fast question of “What’s Linux?” Ollama went to work with the default LLM (gemma3:1b) and instantly started printing replies to the question. On a machine with an Nvidia GPU, the output can be virtually instantaneous, however with Ollama utilizing solely the CPU, the output was significantly slower. Once more, that is not the fault of the CPU, however moderately, the dearth of a supported GPU. Even so, the output did not take too lengthy to finish, and I had a really detailed reply to my query.

After that check, I went about doing the standard issues: shopping, putting in software program, operating upgrades, and so forth. The CPU on this PC is an Intel Core Extremely 9 285H — which raises it effectively above midrange and into high-end territory — so I may solely think about how briskly the AI would carry out with an Nvidia GPU. That being stated, every thing I threw at this tiny beast ran to perfection. Apps launched virtually instantly, animations have been clear and easy, and every thing on Ubuntu Budgie carried out like a champ.

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I might go as far as to say that is the best-performing small-form-factor PC I’ve ever used. That is smart, given this machine is focused at customers who need excessive efficiency, and it actually delivers. You would be hard-pressed to discover a extra highly effective machine at this measurement.

With many tiny form-factor PCs, I am used to seeing a little bit of plastic and a number of other corners reduce to decrease the worth. Though the IT 15 does use PC+ABS for the outer case, which might face up to 200 kg of drive, the inside body is all metallic and has a crushproof ranking of 441 kilos.

The tolerances on each facet of the {hardware} are spot on, and the internals are effectively laid out and fabricated. I’ve zero complaints on this class.

Based on the Geekom website, the IT 15 makes use of Intel AI Enhance, powered by an NPU delivering a peak of 13 TOPS (INT8). Naturally, with Ollama/Msty, I wasn’t in a position to check text-to-image AI conversion (on high of which, I am not eager on utilizing AI for creating artwork), however I can safely say the CPU is highly effective sufficient to do no matter you want.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

This one is simple. Should you’re searching for a brand new PC, you do not have a lot area, and you do not wish to sacrifice energy, the Geekom IT15 Mini PC is a good purchase at $1,100 on Amazon. If I needed to change my present System76 Thelio with a PC this measurement, you’ll be able to guess I might be completely satisfied using the IT15. The cherry on high is that every thing labored out of the field with Linux.

Additionally: This official Ubuntu Spin may simply be the proper intro to Linux

Should you’re a fan of small PCs, do your self a favor and seize a Geekom IT15. You need to use the default Home windows 11 OS, set up Linux over it, or dual-boot Linux and Home windows to have the most effective of each worlds. It is a discount and can outperform your expectations for most common use circumstances.

The way it compares

Geekom IT15 tech specs

• CPU – Intel Core Extremely 9-285H
• GPU – Built-in Intel Arc 140T GPU
• Reminiscence – Twin-channel DDR5 262PIN 5600 MHz SODIMM, as much as 64 GB
• Storage – Essential P3 Plus M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 2TB SSD
• Ports – USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind A x 3, USB 2.0 Kind-A x 1, USB4 x 2, 3.5 mm stereo jack x 1, 2.5G RJ45 x 1, HDMI x 2, SD card 4.0 reader x 1
• Ethernet – Intel 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps RJ45
• Wi-fi LAN – Intel M.2 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5
• Cooling – inside fan (which might get considerably loud below heavy load)