GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite Intel N100 mini PC comes with a 9-pin expansion header

GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite is yet another Intel Processor N100 mini PC whose main differentiating feature is a 9-pin expansion header accessible from the outside for expansion. I initially thought it would be similar to having Raspberry Pi 5 SBC in an enclosure like the Pironman 5, but as we’ll see below it may not exactly be the case.

As its name implies, it’s also an evolution of the Mini Air12 mini PC with a lower price due to some cost-cutting. The Mini Air 12 Lite notably ships with 8GB DDR4-3200 and a 256GB NVMe SSD, instead of the 16GB DDR5-4800 and a 512GB NVMe SSD for its older sibling. The computer also features HDMI and DP ports for dual display setups, gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 5 connectivity, an audio jack, and five USB 3.2/2.0 ports.

GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite specifications:

• SoC – Intel Processor N100 Alder Lake-N quad-core/quad-thread processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics @ up to 750 MHz; TDP: 6W
• System Memory – 8GB DDR4-3200 via SO-DIMM socket; upgradeable to 16GB RAM
• Storage – 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe SSD, upgradeable up to 1TB; also compatible with M.2 SATA drives.
• Video Output
  • HDMI 2.0 port up to 4Kp60
  • DisplayPort 1.4 up to 8Kp30
  • Support for 2x independent displays
• Audio
  • 3.5mm audio jack for headphones
  • 3.5mm audio jack for microphone
  • Digital audio via HDMI and DP
• Networking
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 Our review shows it ships with a WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 module (Azurewave AW-XB591NF) instead
    
• USB
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (10 Gbps)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 Gbps)
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
• Security – DTPM 2.0
• Misc
  • Power button
  • Kensington Lock
  • RTC with battery
  • Fan, heat pipes, and heat fins (Iceblast cooling system)
  • 9-pin 2.0mm pitch expansion header with +5V, power switch pins, power LED pins, HDD activity LED pins
• Power Supply – 19V/3.42A (65W) via DC jack
• Dimensions – 135.5 x 115.5 x 34.5mm
• Certifications – CE, RoHS, FCC, CEC, CB, PSE, TELEC

The expansion header of the mini PC looks similar to some motherboard headers used to connect power and HDD LEDs, a power switch, etc… That seems fairly odd for this mini PC considering it also comes with a power button and integrated power LED. Hopefully, the behavior of the pins can be configurable like GPIOs, but we’ll probably have to wait for the review to find out.

The mini PC ships with Windows 11 Pro, and accessories include a 60W power adapter, a power cord, an HDMI cable, a VESA mount kit,  and a user manual. While the standard price for the Mini Air12 is $249, the new GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite sells for $199 on GEEKOM US, and should soon show up on the company’s Amazon store for the same price.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress