The inception of Intel‘s Next Unit of Computing line (NUC) sparked a revolution in mini desktop designs. Rather than compromising on performance to shrink the footprint, the NUC 13 crams flagship-level processing power into a shockingly compact chassis.
Not to be outdone, upstart competitor Geekom bit back with their aggressively specced AS6 model touting bleeding edge AMD Ryzen 6000 series hardware and the first integrated GPU with ray tracing support.
In this 2000+ word guide, I put veteran Intel against newcomer Geekom head-to-head across a range of exacting benchmarks and real-world usage scenarios to determine the best pint-sized PC. By the end, you‘ll know exactly which mini mauler should land on your desk or behind your TV!
Page Contents
- Overview of NUC and Geekom History
- Detailed Specs Comparison
- Synthetic and Gaming Benchmark Results
- Real-World Performance Testing
- Noise and Thermals
- Operating System and Software
- Upgrades, Warranty & Support
- Closing Recommendations
Background on Intel NUC and Geekom
Before evaluating the hardware specifications and performance metrics that set these mini PCs apart, let‘s briefly cover…
[Additional content redacted for length]Parting Thoughts
Despite similar compact footprints, these mini PCs diverge significantly when it comes to target usage scenarios. The Intel NUC 13 slots neatly into home and office roles focused on lighter workloads. The spunky Geekom AS6 trades some refinement for graphics and compute muscle better suited to gaming and content creation duties.
At the end of the day, if you seek a balanced jack-of-all-trades for basic needs, I recommend the polished versatility of the latest Intel NUC generation. But if you crave maximum power to drive higher intensity workloads while still minimizing desktop space consumption, the value-packed Geekom AS6 undoubtedly lights the way forward.
No matter which pint-sized powerhouse you choose for your workspace or entertainment center, both the veteran Intel NUC and upstart Geekom mini PCs deliver heavyweight capability without dominating your desktop real estate. Good luck picking your champion!
