The Geekom A9 Mega will be Windows 11’s answer to Apple’s Mac Studio — only better and more affordable

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To set the tone, let me clarify that the title is somewhat playful. Naturally, we firmly believe that a computer running Windows 11 outperforms a Mac. We’re open to hearing your counterarguments, but as of now, we stand by our belief.

Geekom’s upcoming mini PC, the A9 Mega, shares similar territory with the Mac Studio. It’s being marketed as the most powerful mini PC worldwide, and this claim carries some validity.

The Strix Halo APU (or AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395) will not stand alone, as it’s expected to be one of a few PCs, whether mini or otherwise, that have been confirmed to utilize this specific AMD component. For convenience, I’ll refer to it as the Strix Halo going forward.

Currently, this mobile chip is uncontested as the top choice, but hasn’t become commonplace just yet. One factor contributing to its limited distribution may be its cost. We’ve had a glimpse of it in the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and an HP mini workstation that’s waiting for review. Additionally, you can find it inside the Framework Desktop and a GMKTec mini PC as well.

Although there may be a few exceptions, the Geekom A9 Mega stands out so much that it’s worth paying close attention to it. This alone makes it notable.

At the core of the Geekom A9 Mega lies the powerful Strix Halo APU, supplemented by as much as 128GB LPDDR5X 8000 unified memory. Unlike past AMD generation APUs, the Strix Halo employs a strategy akin to Apple Silicon, allowing the system to flexibly assign up to 96GB of its memory to the GPU.

In simpler terms, unlike the Ryzen AI 9 HX370 and other previous-generation chips, the one I’m currently reviewing (Geekom A9 Max) allows you to reserve a portion of the RAM specifically for the GPU. However, it doesn’t have the capability to adjust this dynamically, like a unified memory system would.

It’s more efficient, reduces bottlenecks, and latency. It’s just better.

The Geekom A9 Mega is a compact device that packs quite a punch for running local AI applications. Its ability to allocate up to 96GB of memory to its GPU makes it capable of handling large language models like the gpt-oss:120b, which it can run locally without any issues. Essentially, this tiny box is powerful enough to handle the entire gpt-oss:120b model.

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is equally significant in this context. The Strix Halo model is equipped with the Radeon 8060s, marking the first genuine desktop-level integrated graphics. It’s capable of matching performance with RTX 40 series cards and also supports ray tracing technology.

AMD has significantly revolutionized things with the Strix Halo, yet it’s not an affordable option for everyone. First to market via Kickstarter will be Geekom, offering early bird pricing at just $1,899 if you pre-register before the launch.

Well, here’s a fun fact! If you want a Mac Studio with just 96GB of unified memory, you’d need to shell out $3,999. In comparison to its capabilities, it’s quite the bargain. Plus, if gaming is your thing, this one’s for you because it runs on Windows 11.

I’m thrilled about the new development – the addition of Strix Halo – as another attractive choice. Paired with Snapdragon X platform, this is undeniably one of the most captivating hardware upgrades in Windows PCs in quite some time. As I gaze at my gaming PC sitting beneath my desk, I can’t help but ponder when it will be my turn to experience such advancements.

Go ahead and register to receive updates about the upcoming Kickstarter debut of the Geekom A9 Mega. You can do this on its official webpage at the moment. The exact launch date hasn’t been disclosed yet.

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2025-08-24 00:09