ZDNET’s main observations highlight that the Geekom Geekbook X16 Pro—a lightweight yet remarkably capable 16-inch laptop—is now retailing on Geekom’s official website for just over $1,300. Despite its ultrathin and portable profile, this machine provides ample processing strength for virtually any day-to-day computing requirement, from document editing and media streaming to local artificial intelligence tasks, which perform surprisingly well on this device.
For readers who follow ZDNET regularly, the publication encourages adding it as a preferred source on Google to ensure continuous access to expert insights, product reviews, and recommendations.
The reviewer begins by explaining a personal preference for compact laptops, typically in the 13- to 14-inch category. However, from time to time, a larger model comes along that genuinely challenges this inclination toward smaller screens. Such was precisely the case with the Geekom Geekbook X16 Pro—a 16-inch system that prompted a reassessment of what size-versus-performance balance truly means for modern mobile professionals.
Although the laptop’s outward design may initially appear conventional or even understated, its real appeal becomes evident upon closer use. Beneath its modest exterior lies a system powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 9-185H or 5-125H processor equipped with integrated Arc graphics and an onboard neural processing unit (NPU). This combination lends the X16 Pro a surprising degree of computational muscle, especially considering its moderate price point. The device’s overall build quality and efficiency create an impression that exceeds first expectations.
Longtime followers of Geekom’s work will recall the company’s earlier success in producing compact desktop systems that marry space efficiency with commendable power. The reviewer, familiar with these efforts through numerous prior tests, describes having grown accustomed to being impressed by Geekom’s consistently well-balanced products. Now, as the company broadens its horizons from miniature desktops to fully featured laptops, that same satisfying blend of performance and practicality carries over—and it is a welcome evolution.
Upon unboxing the X16 Pro, one of the first notable surprises was its remarkably low weight. Despite its expansive 16-inch form factor, it manages to weigh slightly less than a MacBook Pro M1, coming in at a modest 2.87 pounds compared to Apple’s 3.0 pounds. That fractional difference might seem negligible on paper, yet in actual daily use it creates a tangible advantage. Resting on the user’s lap, the X16 Pro feels exceptionally light and effortlessly balanced, a trait rarely achieved by larger models.
Once the initial physical impressions settled, the reviewer proceeded to power up the laptop. The start-up process, however, served as a reminder of Microsoft Windows 11’s less-than-charming habits. The setup routine took roughly an hour to reach the login screen—an unnecessarily prolonged introduction that tested one’s patience. Additionally, the system’s repeated prompts to purchase add-ons or services only compounded the frustration. Although the reviewer admits to being tempted to swap the operating system for a Linux distribution immediately, professional obligation demanded perseverance with Windows to evaluate its performance on Geekom hardware. While the outcome confirmed existing grievances with Windows itself, it bore no reflection on Geekom’s workmanship.
Turning to the physical hardware, the screen deserves commendation. Even though it is not a 4K Retina-grade display, it boasts strong technical specifications: a 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS technology, 2.5K resolution, 100 percent sRGB color coverage, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and brightness levels reaching up to 400 nits. Together, these attributes yield an image that is crisp and colorful enough for most non-professional tasks—ideal for writing, browsing, streaming, or general productivity. Only those engaged in high-level video color grading or precision graphical editing might find it wanting.
A reliable keyboard is essential for any writer, and the X16 Pro performs admirably in this department. The keys respond with firm, well-calibrated feedback and satisfying tactile travel. The only minor adjustment required was acclimating the right pinky finger to the slightly unconventional spacing between the Shift and arrow keys. At first, the reviewer frequently hit the left arrow key instead of Shift, though this soon became a non-issue after a brief adaptation period. The touchpad, on the other hand, is expansive and smooth, providing effortless navigation. It may not yet reach the precision of Apple’s trackpad, but it still surpasses many competitors in this class.
Performance, naturally, represents the true litmus test of any computing device. To evaluate real-world AI responsiveness, the reviewer installed Ollama, a popular local artificial-intelligence execution platform, and downloaded the qwen-coder:3b large language model—approximately 16GB in size. The download completed in under five minutes, an impressively swift result compared with other machines tested under similar conditions. Once operational, the reviewer tasked the model with generating a Python graphical user interface program capable of collecting user details such as name, age, email, phone, and gender—including non-binary options—and saving them to a text file. The model completed the task efficiently within roughly two minutes, which aligns well with results observed on other Windows-based systems. To avoid additional setup complexity on Windows, the reviewer transferred the code to a Linux desktop for execution, confirming that the generated application ran flawlessly.
Other everyday usage trials painted a similarly strong picture. Streaming YouTube videos revealed sharp visuals and clear, balanced audio output. GIMP, the open-source image editor, took slightly longer to launch compared to more powerful hardware, yet performed well once loaded. Switching browsers to Opera significantly improved browsing speed and rendering smoothness relative to Edge. LibreOffice also proved stable and efficient, launching almost instantly after its initial run. Even lightweight gaming received a nod of approval: the Android-originated title *Eternium* played seamlessly, with no observable lag—demonstrating that even modest games benefit from the system’s robust architecture.
In concluding the review, ZDNET’s buying guidance underscores a crucial consideration: while the Geekom X16 Pro’s retail price of roughly $1,300 might initially appear steep, a closer comparison of specifications—an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD—reveals that rival models offering similar configurations often cost significantly more. In that light, the X16 Pro’s price represents strong value for money. Among the many laptops assessed in recent years, the reviewer confidently places the X16 Pro within the top five choices overall. Although not entirely perfect, this laptop demonstrates a rare equilibrium of portability, performance, and affordability—an appealing combination that makes it a genuine standout in its category.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/geekom-x16-pro-review/
