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

The Geekom XT13 Pro inherits the Geekom XT12 Pro and comes in the top configuration with an Intel Core i9-13900H equipped. There is also 32 GB DDR4 RAM and a 2 TB SSD, although this comes at a price. The price is 949 USD/949 GBP, so it's really no bargain. For 679 USD/649 GBP, the Geekom XT13 Pro is available with an Intel Core i7-13620H and a 1 TB SSD. Geekom has decided not to use the newer Meteor Lake processors and is sticking with the older Raptor Lake processors. This test will show whether this is the right way to stand up to the competition.

The question also arises as to whether this pricing is justified. We will also address this important point specifically after the performance analysis. In any case, the manufacturer itself sets the bar very high.

Note: We have updated our rating system and the results of version 8 are not comparable with the results of version 7 available here.

The housing of the Geekom XT13 Pro is familiar, it was used for the Geekom XT12 Pro. A similarity with the Intel NUC 13 Pro Desk Edition Kit cannot be denied either. Basically, there is nothing wrong with the look. Our test sample is once again perfectly finished and everything fits together wonderfully. Nevertheless, we would have liked to see a new casing to differentiate it slightly from the internal competition. The mini-PC only takes up 11.7 x 11.2 centimeters on the desk, making it one of the more compact devices. The Geekom XT13 Pro can also be attached directly to a monitor using the supplied VESA mount.

The Geekom XT13 Pro is easy to open. Only four small screws need to be loosened on the underside, which secure the base plate to the rest of the case. There is an SSD cooler on the base plate itself, which is why you should be a little more careful at this point. The RAM and mass storage are then easily accessible. In our case, an additional SSD can be installed. However, the correct standard must be observed here, as only SATA SSDs with a length of 42 millimeters are compatible.

The Geekom XT13 Pro is delivered in a comparatively large box with a lot of "air". We have seen Geekom do things differently. Furthermore, the standard accessories supplied are packed in separate plastic bags, which could be improved in terms of sustainability. The device itself is mainly made of metal and plastic. However, we do not know whether recycled materials have been used in its manufacture. On a positive note, the manufacturer offers a 36-month warranty.

For all performance tests with the Geekom XT13 Pro, we use the "High performance" energy profile. There were only deviations from this in the power consumption and noise measurements according to our Test criteria. In accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, Geekom allows the SoC to operate at the lowest power consumption. In figures, this means a power limit of 35 watts under continuous load, although up to 64 watts are allowed for short periods.

In the system performance tests, the documented performance of the Geekom XT13 Pro is only good enough for a place at the bottom of the rankings. Subjectively, however, we can say that the Geekom XT13 Pro offers decent performance. We were unable to observe any noticeable latencies when working with the device during the test phase. When it comes to the choice of RAM, the slower DDR4 standard takes its revenge, as can be seen from the AIDA64 benchmarks. Technically, the Intel Core i9-13900H could be combined with DDR5 (5,200 MT/s).