Mini gaming PCs have finally shed their “if only” reputation—and their sky-high price tags. In 2024, compact rigs are not just real, they’re affordable. Enter the Geekom A6: a sub-$500, palm-sized box promising 1080p gaming and everyday power in a slick aluminum shell. But can it hang with the big names and modern handhelds, or is its hardware showing its age? After weeks of hands-on testing, here’s my deep dive into the Geekom A6: what it nails, where it falters, and who should consider making it their next compact PC.
Let’s get the highlights out of the way:
So, how does the Geekom A6 stack up as a “mini” gaming machine?
Key Takeaways:
Want a closer look first? Check out the official overview below:
The mini PC space is booming, with brands like Intel NUC, Minisforum, and Beelink all raising the bar. Geekom, though newer in the West, is quickly building a name for over-delivering on build quality at wallet-friendly prices. The A6’s formula is simple: laptop-class specs (Ryzen 7 6800H and Radeon 680M graphics) in a Mac mini-sized body, with generous RAM and storage—undercutting many handhelds and bargain gaming laptops.
Straight out of the box, the A6 feels substantial. Its silver aluminum shell, reminiscent of a Mac mini, screams quality. And with a footprint just 4.4 inches square, it’ll squeeze into the tightest setups. For the price, this design sets a new benchmark.
Inside, you’ll find AMD’s Ryzen 7 6800H—eight cores, 16 threads, and a boost up to 4.7GHz. While not AMD’s latest, it’s still plenty for productivity and light content creation. The real wildcard is the Radeon 680M integrated GPU, using the same RDNA 2 tech as the Steam Deck and other current handhelds.
Where the A6 really shines: memory and storage. You get 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM (upgradeable to 64GB) and a 1TB NVMe SSD. Most budget mini PCs (and laptops) cut corners here, but the A6 is ready for multitasking and a healthy game library right out of the box.
It’s a generous package for the price—four simultaneous display outputs at $499 is practically unheard of.
Geekom’s design team gets top marks. The A6’s aluminum and compact footprint rival pricier machines. The switch to black plastic at the I/O panel is subtle and doesn’t cheapen the look. The included VESA mount lets you hide the unit behind a monitor—a tidy bonus.
Fan noise is much improved over previous Geekom models. You’ll hear a steady hum during AAA gaming, but it’s much quieter than the “jet engine” of the AX8 Pro. Most users will find it unobtrusive—especially if tucked out of sight.
Let’s set expectations: the Geekom A6 isn’t for 4K gaming. Its closest rivals are the Steam Deck and RDNA 2-based handhelds, making it ideal for eSports and 1080p/720p gaming on less demanding titles.
Versus budget gaming laptops and handhelds, this is competitive. The Radeon 680M remains one of the best iGPUs in its class. For daily tasks—browsing, productivity, media—the A6 is almost overkill. With 32GB RAM, multitasking is a breeze.
If you want demanding AAA games at high settings, you’ll need more muscle. But for eSports, older titles, or with FSR upscaling, the A6 is a solid 1080p contender.
Here’s the catch: upgrades are possible, but not painless. You’ll need to remove rubber feet, unscrew the backplate, and carefully navigate a delicate Wi-Fi antenna cable. Dislodge it, and you’re in for a fiddly reconnection.
There’s a second M.2 2242 slot (SATA III only, max 1TB), and a 16-pin port for a 2.5” SATA drive—but there’s no space in the chassis for the latter, making it a vestigial feature.
The good news: once inside, RAM and main SSD swaps are straightforward, and the three-year warranty is generous.
For $499, the Geekom A6 is one of the best-equipped mini PCs out there. It trounces budget rivals that ship with 8GB RAM and Celeron chips. Compared to similarly-priced laptops, you won’t find this much RAM and storage in such a compact, premium chassis.
Its main competition: other RDNA 2 handhelds (Steam Deck, Legion Go S) and mini PCs from Minisforum. Geekom wins on I/O and storage: four display outputs, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E—features rarely seen together at this price.
If you want a stylish, compact PC for work, light creation, and 1080p gaming, the A6 is a top pick—especially if you’re tired of bulky towers. It’s perfect for:
If you crave easy upgrades, top-tier gaming, or futureproof workstation power, you’ll want to look elsewhere. The A6’s hardware, while strong for now, won’t keep up with tomorrow’s high-end games.
The Geekom A6 sets a new bar for what $499 gets you in a mini PC: premium build, ample RAM/storage, and enough GPU grunt for solid 1080p gaming. Sure, the Ryzen 7 6800H and Radeon 680M aren’t cutting-edge, and upgrades take patience. But few rivals blend looks, connectivity, and real-world performance better at this price. If you want a compact, good-looking mini PC for work and play—and don’t expect miracles in AAA gaming—the A6 is an easy recommendation.
The Geekom A6 is a palm-sized powerhouse for $499. With Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it delivers solid 1080p gaming and multitasking muscle. Awkward upgrades and aging GPU tech are the main drawbacks, but for the money, few mini PCs come close.