The Geekom A9 Max AI, now available for 9 on Amazon, is a compact powerhouse designed to tackle various computing tasks with impressive efficiency. Despite its small form factor, this mini PC manages to deliver significant performance, even when navigating the challenges posed by the Windows operating system. However, users should be prepared for a bit of noise, as the cooling fans can be quite loud during intensive tasks.
My experience
As I embarked on my review of the A9 Max AI, I tempered my expectations, particularly given my usual reliance on a robust System76 Thelio desktop. Historically, compact PCs have struggled to match the performance of larger systems. Yet, the A9 Max AI presented a compelling case for itself, albeit with the limitations of Windows 11. A gentle reminder to manufacturers: consider preinstalling Linux for a smoother review process and to highlight open-source options for consumers.
Upon powering up the A9 Max AI, I encountered the familiar hurdles of Windows setup—numerous updates and account logins. The “AI” in its name suggests a focus on artificial intelligence capabilities, boasting an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor that claims to deliver up to 80 TOPS of total AI acceleration. This includes a dedicated NPU for enhanced performance in AI tasks, although many users will likely rely on cloud-based AI services rather than local processing.
Curious about its capabilities, I installed Ollama and tested the A9 Max AI with a 9GB large language model (LLM), comparing its performance against my Thelio. The results were telling: while both machines utilized the same model, the Thelio produced a more comprehensive and grammatically sound response. The timing was also revealing:
- Thelio: 2:42.38
- A9 Max AI: 01:07.69
Despite the A9 Max AI’s quicker response time, the depth of the Thelio’s output underscored the limitations of the mini PC, particularly when constrained by Windows 11’s resource demands.
In an effort to push the A9 Max AI further, I attempted to run a larger model, the gpt-oss:120b. While the performance was slower than expected, the accuracy of the results was commendable. However, the cooling fans worked overtime, making their presence known throughout the house as they struggled to maintain optimal temperatures.
Installing and running applications
Turning my attention to everyday usability, I installed several applications, including LibreOffice, GIMP, and VirtualBox. Each installation was swift, and the applications ran smoothly. To further test its capabilities, I created a virtual instance of Ubuntu with 10GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores allocated. The installation process was quick, but the fans roared to life, indicating that under load, the A9 Max AI is not the quietest option available.
Once the virtual machine was operational, it became evident that the Ubuntu guest OS outperformed Windows 11 significantly, even with fewer resources. This experience reinforced my belief that Windows can hinder performance, especially in a compact machine like the A9 Max AI.
Geekom A9 Max AI mini PC tech specs
- Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (configurable TDP up to 54W)
- Graphics: AMD Radeon 890M (RDNA 3.5, 16 compute units)
- AI Performance: Up to 80 TOPS of total AI performance, with a dedicated AI engine
- Memory: Up to 128GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600MHz RAM
- Storage: 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot, 1 x M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slot
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, 2 x 2.5 GbE RJ45 ports, multiple USB ports including USB 4.0 Type-C with DP-Alt-Mode and Power Delivery
- 2 x HDMI 2.1 ports
- Full-size SD card reader
- Operating System: Windows 11 24H2
- Dimensions: 135 × 132 × 46.9 mm
