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Geekom IT13 Max 2026 review: Meteor Lake rides again in a $799 mini PC
Geekom delivers a capable older-gen Core Ultra 9 chip in a sleek compact case, supported by 24GB of soldered RAM and a 500GB SSD. More importantly, during a component crisis, you can get all of that within an $800 budget.
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The strategy of using last-gen laptop parts in mini PCs used to mean excellent performance at competitive prices. At least, it did until the RAMpocalypse swept across tech. Nevertheless, Geekom is pushing the idea that its IT13 Max, using a Core Ultra 9 185H at $799, offers a value option in mid-2026. Looking at some of the other prices for mini PCs we’ve seen recently, it might be right.
Other than the reasonable Ultra 9 tier price for the performance, RAM and storage in the current market, Geekom delivers a very competent mini PC here. It looks like an unassuming, business-like machine from the outside, but has plenty of ports, easy internal access, and is very sturdy.
Geekom’s new IT13 Max 2026 follows a very traditional NUC design. With its just-under-a-liter volume, this black device is just slightly bigger in every dimension than the MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG (0.8 L), and shares a lot of the matte dark understated design and subtle branding of that unit. Later on, you’ll notice this pair has a lot in common when it comes to performance, too, despite being two Intel generations apart and featuring a huge price gap.
Geekom uses a matte plastic outer shell here, but the perforated venting areas to the sides and removable bottom plate are metal, as is an inner chassis. It is pretty easy to get into the IT13 Max, as there are just four screws positioned in the center of the rubber feet.
Users have access to power and headphones on the front panel, and a wide range of fast USB, networking, and monitor connection options. Geekom hasn’t implemented any biometrics in the power button, for example, and also eschews the addition of a Copilot button.
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16C/22T), up to 5.1 GHz, 45W
500GB Kingston NV3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD and spare M.2 2242 slot
Front: 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type‑A (front, one S5 Always On), 3.5 mm audio jack. Sides: SD Card 4.0, Kensington Lock, Rear: