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Industry observers note that the Arc 140V graphics card delivers a frame rate that outperforms many AMD models. The PCIe 4.0 SSD is speedy, while the NPU equips the system for local AI tasks. Anyone looking for a small, energy-efficient computer for everyday use, media, and light tech industry will find this a good choice. The NucBox K13 is GMKtec’s first mini-PC featuring Intel’s Lunar Lake ecosystem, and the switch has paid off.

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According to the latest update, with the NucBox K13, GMKtec is using Intel’s Lunar Lake chip for the first time and combining it with modern connectivity options. On paper, the device promises plenty of AI performance and decent graphics. We’ve tested the computer over several days and highlight where its strengths lie. Mini PCs have long covered a broad spectrum, from compact office machines to small workstations.

Industry observers note that the case is flat and rectangular, measuring 7.32 × 3.46 × 1.44 inches and weighing around 18.44 ounces. With a volume of around 0.6 quarts, the computer is barely larger than a smartphone in terms of footprint and will therefore fit on any desk or behind a monitor. The NucBox K13 breaks with the familiar cube shape of other models.

In a fresh development, fingerprints are barely noticeable. A striking green accent runs around the bottom edge, contrasting with the simple black front. The gaps are even, and the casing feels sturdy. The matte top panel functions the engraved GMKtec logo and an Intel Core Ultra 7 sticker.

As part of the ongoing story, at the front are two USB-A ports with 10Gbit/s, plus a 3.5mm jack and the green-backlit power button. The ports are conveniently distributed across the front and rear.

The report highlights that cooling is provided by a copper turbine fan, which draws air in from the side and expels it at the rear. The external power supply delivers 100 watts and is pleasantly compact. At the rear are the power socket, two USB4 ports, HDMI 2.1, an older USB-A port, the RJ45 socket, a reset hole, and a Kensington slot.

Industry observers note that it combines four Lion Cove performance cores and four Skymont Spark cores. This gives the processor a total of eight cores and eight threads. The clock speed reaches up to 4.8GHz, while the base TDP is a modest 17 watts. Graphics are handled by the integrated Arc 140 V with eight Xe cores, clocked at up to 1.95GHz. Inside, the laptop is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, a Lunar Lake chip manufactured using TSMC’s 3-nanometer process.

In a fresh development, the total performance of up to 115 TOPS advertised by Intel results from the combined AI computing power of the NPU, integrated Arc graphics and the CPU. The NPU alone does not achieve this figure. The NPU contributes up to 47 TOPS.

According to the latest update, the memory is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded — a compromise also made by the NucBox K16 mini PC. The system functions 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at 8,533 MT/s.

According to the latest update, the test unit functions a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, while a second M.2 slot allows for expansion up to 16TB. The system offers greater flexibility when it comes to storage.

The report highlights that it also functions Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The two USB4 ports transfer data at 40 Gbit/s, output DisplayPort signals and accept up to 100 watts of charging power via Power Delivery. Together with HDMI 2.1, up to three 4K displays can be operated in parallel. In terms of connectivity, the K13 stands out with a capability that GMKtec has not included in any of its previous mini PCs: a 5Gbit/s LAN port.

In a fresh development, the older model offers an OCuLink port for external graphics cards and no fewer than two 2.5Gbit LAN sockets. The K13 does not capability OCuLink and connects an external GPU via USB4 only. In return, it offers faster networking via its single 5Gbit/s port and a significantly more modern computing ecosystem. This is where the difference to the K16 becomes clear.

The report highlights that the test unit runs Windows 11 Pro version 25H2 with build 26200. The system is therefore up to date, eliminating the need for extensive post-installation updates. With the K16, we had previously found an outdated version that first had to be brought up to date via an patch. The manufacturer has avoided this slip-up here. GMKtec has got a lot right when it comes to the operating system.

Industry observers note that however, it only became active after we had connected a webcam. An alternative microphone serves the same purpose, so an audio input must be available. One notable capability is the pre-installed AI programs.

Industry observers note that when asked about its advantages, the default assistant identifies itself as DeepSeek and highlights its free usage, large context window, and file upload capabilities. A launcher called Cherry AI then appears, allowing you to select from several models, including Doubao, Qwen, and DeepSeek.

Industry observers note that for a device advertised as having local AI, this point is worth noting from a data privacy perspective. This means it is an interface for cloud services, not a model running locally.

In a fresh development, this score places the device at the top end of the current range of mini PCs and is noticeably higher than the 6,836 points achieved by the NucBox K16. The K13 also holds its own against high-performance Ryzen AI systems: Models such as the Geekom A9 Max with Ryzen AI 9 are on a similar level, scoring around 7,700 points. In PCMark 10, the NucBox K13 achieves an impressive 7,695 points.

As part of the ongoing story, in everyday use, this translates to smooth system boot-ups, short loading times, and hassle-free multitasking. The sub-scores are consistently high, with 10,363 points in Essentials, 12,645 in Productivity, and 9,438 in Digital Content Creation.

Industry observers note that with 4,698 points at full thread utilization, the processor lags clearly behind the 16-thread Ryzen chips, such as the K16’s 6,691 points or the Ryzen AI 9’s figure of over 9,700 points. Eight threads set the limit here. The CPU profile in 3DMark highlights the ecosystem’s distinctive characteristics.

According to the latest update, to put the results into context, it’s worth taking a look at the architecture: Lunar Lake was launched at the end of 2024 and was designed by Intel primarily for energy efficiency and AI acceleration. What is remarkable, however, is the single-thread score of 1,153 points, which is on a par with the most powerful AMD models.

According to the latest update, in Time Spy, the Arc 140V scores 4,006 points, comprising 3,743 graphics points and 6,661 CPU points. This outperforms the Radeon 890M found in current Ryzen systems, which typically scores between 3,000 and 3,900 points, and more than doubles the 1,762 points achieved by the Radeon 680M in the K16. In Steel Nomad Light, the K13 achieves 3,176 points at 23.5 frames per second, and in the ray-traced Solar Bay, it even reaches 11,827 points at just under 45 fps. When it comes to graphics, the picture changes.

According to the latest update, demanding blockbusters require reduced detail levels but remain playable. In practice, many titles run smoothly in Full HD with adjusted settings.

As part of the ongoing story, the real strength of the Lunar Lake ecosystem lies in the combination of the NPU, Arc graphics, and CPU, which can process specially optimized AI models significantly faster. In Geekbench AI Pro, the NucBox K13 scored 2,767 points in the single-precision test, 27,876 points in the half-precision test, and 45,836 points in the quantized test on the Windows AI test path. The system is well equipped for AI tasks.

According to the latest update, in practice, however, the actual performance boost depends on whether an application specifically supports the NPU, GPU, or CPU. These figures underscore that the mini PC is not only suitable for traditional office tasks but is also well-equipped for modern AI applications.

Industry observers note that the K16, with its PCIe 3.0 drive, only manages about half that here. The fast PCIe 4.0 SSD rounds off the picture: In CrystalDiskMark, it reads at 7,126 MB/s and writes at 6,384 MB/s.

As part of the ongoing story, when using Office applications, web browsers, and streaming services, the fan usually remains in the background. It only becomes audible under prolonged load, without, however, drawing attention to itself with high-frequency background noise. In everyday use, the NucBox K13 operates pleasantly unobtrusively.

In a fresh development, in our test, the mini PC consumed just 8.3 watts when idle. Under load, power consumption ranged between 20 and 28 watts, depending on the workload. This makes the K13 one of the more energy-efficient models in its performance class. The Lunar Lake ecosystem also demonstrates its strengths when it comes to power consumption.

The report highlights that using the Thermal Master P3, we measured a temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius on the case surface. Inside, the temperature was 37.5 degrees Celsius. Even after prolonged use, the SSD reached only 45 degrees Celsius. There were no indications of thermal issues or performance losses due to throttling during the test. Thermally, the compact case also performed unremarkably.

Industry observers note that in the showcase of a warranty claim, the manufacturer will cover the repair costs, but the buyer is responsible for the postage costs to the service center. This means the warranty period is shorter than that offered by some competitors, such as Geekom, which offers three years. GMKtec provides a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on the NucBox K13.

According to the latest update, therefore, buying from European suppliers is usually the better choice. When purchasing from an EU retailer, the statutory warranty of 24 months also applies.

As part of the ongoing story, the Arc 140V graphics are among the best that integrated solutions currently have to offer. Added to this are a very fast SSD, a powerful NPU, 5Gbit LAN and the most recent version of Windows. The compact chassis gives a high-quality impression. The NucBox K13 marks GMKtec’s entry into the Lunar Lake class, and it’s a successful move.

As part of the ongoing story, under multi-core loads, the eight-core CPU falls behind current Ryzen systems. Furthermore, there is no OCuLink port for external graphics cards. The weaknesses are clearly identified: The RAM is limited to 16GB and cannot be upgraded.

Industry observers note that the K13 excels in graphics performance, memory speed, AI acceleration, and energy efficiency. The K16, on the other hand, offers more threads, OCuLink, and dual LAN. Anyone looking for a compact and energy-efficient all-rounder for office work, media playback, AI applications, and occasional tech industry will find the K13 a good choice. For virtualization, rendering, or other highly parallelized tasks, Ryzen AI systems remain the more attractive alternative. Compared to the K16, there is a clear reversal of roles.

In a fresh development, this article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

As part of the ongoing story, as a Windows user from the very beginning, he is still interested in all the most recent news about the operating system from Redmond. And he has also taken the iPhone to his heart since its first edition. Many other gadgets from Apple have now been added. Christoph is also open to anything that can be controlled via an app – lawn mowers, robot mops and fitness equipment. Christoph Hoffmann has been writing as an IT specialist journalist for print and online for more than 25 years.