HP Elite Mini 600 G9 Review an Updated HP Returns to Project TinyMiniMicro

Jul 05, 2023

We are going to take a look at the HP Elite Mini 600 G9. This is HP's update for the 12th Gen Intel Core processors bringing new features and a new naming scheme to the HP 1L PC lineup. In this review, we are going to cover a unit that we mistakenly purchased, but it ended up being a good mistake to make.

As always with these reviews, we have a video to go along with this article. You can find that video here:

As always, we suggest watching this in its own browser, tab, or app for a better viewing experience. You can also see/ hear the power consumption tests live.

This unit was a bit of a mistake purchase. Late at night (early morning), I was scrolling eBay looking for a used Elite Mini 800 G9. At the time, those were all in the $800-1000 range. I then found this one for around $500 and purchased it is a semi-sleepy haze. When it arrived, I then realized it was actually the HP Elite Mini 600 G9.

This unit came with an Intel Core i7-12700T, an important update in the line. It had 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 512GB NVMe SSD. There was even Windows 10 Pro installed.

We also got the Flex I/O slot filled with a dual USB 3 Gen1 port option, which is proabably my least favorite. You can get Thunderbolt 3 / USB4, Type-C with PD and alternate display mode, and even 2.5GbE. If you want to learn more about that option, see our HP EliteDesk Mini 2.5GbE Flex IO V2 NIC is Here piece.

There are other options for that slot, but this is perhaps the one most looking to use these as servers, or connect to 2.5GbE networking will want.

Next, let us get to the hardware.

The front of the unit has three USB ports. One Type-C and two Type-A. The two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports are 10Gbps ports while the Type-C is a 20Gbps port. USB4/ Thunderbolt is not standard, but it is an option in a flexible rear slot.

The front also has the headset combo jack and the power button.

The rear of the unit is where most of the action happens. There are two DisplayPort 1.4a ports as well as a HDMI 2.1 port. We also have three standard USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps ports and an Intel i219-LM 1GbE port.

HP has two optional slots. The Flex I/O V2 slot in our unit has the dual USB 3 (5Gbps) option. There are a ton of different possibilities here. We will be swapping this out for a 2.5GbE card after this review. The other slot has options like USB 2 ports, serial, and WiFi antennas. It is used to provide the GPU I/O with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti option.

The HP Elite Mini 600 G9 uses the newer 1L PC styling from HP that we saw in the HP EliteDesk G6 Mini series.

As a 35W TDP model, this unit does not have venting on either side.

On the bottom, we have the regulatory markings and even our Windows sticker, but there are no vents.

On the HP Elite Mini 600 G9 line, vPro is optional if your CPU supports the feature and it is configured. In our unit, we have an Intel Core i7-12700T that supports vPro but the system does not. An easy way to tell from pictures online if you order these used is via the Intel sticker. Ours says Intel Core i7 instead of Intel vPro.

Not having vents on the top, bottom, or sides makes this unit uniquely capable of being stacked. Many of the 65TDP TinyMiniMicro units have extra vents on the top or bottom that is restricted by stacking units. The vision of Project TinyMiniMicro was stacked nodes for labs, and this unit can still be used in that manner.

Next, let us get to our internal overview and performance.