Beelink M1 Windows 10 Multi Media Desktop Full 4K HD H.265 Smart Mini PC Intel Apollo Lake Celeron N3450 Processor 6GB+64G / 4K / 1000Mbps LAN / HDMI / VGA / 2.4G+5.8G Dual WiFi

I am using the Beelink S1 as a Linux Mint 64-bit powered home server, to serve files, a VPN and as a personal cloud file sync solution, among other things. Before buying it I had been using my power-hungry, twelve-year-old desktop PC - an Intel Core 2 Quad based machine. I chose to migrate this server set-up to the Beelink S1 because, according to various different benchmarks, it has around the same amount of computing power as my old desktop but uses only a fraction of the electrical power (around 18W vs around 300W).Inside the box, accompanying the Beelink S1, is a UK 3-pin power adapter-in-a-plug, two HDMI cables (measuring 15cm and 60cm), a mounting bracket and screws, a warranty card and a basic cable set-up guide.The Beelink S1 has a quality 'feel' in the hand and was quickly and easy attached to to the rear of the monitor, using the supplied mounting bracket and screws.Because I knew that my memory usage would be very light, I chose the version with 4GB RAM. The internal 64GB eMMC drive comes with four partitions:- EFI (100MB, 50MB used)- Windows Boot (128MB)- Windows (57GB, 12GB used), and- Windows Recovery (822MB, 492MB used)Migration to Windows 10 Home Edition was not an option because I needed RAID support, but Microsoft only supply RAID software with Windows Server editions, therefore once again I needed to use Linux. Rather than wipe the supplied eMMC drive, I unscrewed the two pozi-drive screws at the base and popped in the 128GB Toshiba SSD from the old desktop, which the Beelink recognised straight away.Pressing F7 during the power on sequence allows the boot device to be changed on a one-off basis, while using ESC allows access to the firmware. In the firmware I was able to set the Beelink to permanently boot from a USB stick in the first instance, followed by the SSD, then the eMMC.Installing the Linux Mint v18.3 64-bit distribution was not easy because - although the Beelink is capable of running a 64-bit OS - it has a 32-bit EFI system: That means the choice is between either installing a 32-bit Linux system using an out-of-the-box ISO, or making a custom 64-bit ISO using the ISORespin shell script, available at the Linuxium web site. Because I wanted a 64-bit OS and not being one for the easy option, I chose the 64-bit install using ISORespin, and it was not too long before I was able to boot a respun 64-bit Linux Mint v18.3 ISO from a USB stick.During the install there was a bug that prevented the GRUB bootloader from working. That was worked around as follows:- Boot from the USB Stick- chroot to the installed system- Install the rEFInd PPA and package (available on Launchpad)- Reboot without the USB stick & choose 'Linux with minimal options' at the rEFInd menu- Once booted, amend the rEFInd menu file, at: /boot/refind_linux.confPerhaps if Linux Mint is installed from a portable DVD player rather than from a USB stick, it may 'just work'. In any case, YMMV.With a working Linux Mint v18.3 on the SSD, I found that most of the hardware 'just worked' out-of-the-box: That is,- Wi-Fi (both 2.5GHz and 5.8GHz work but full 'ac' speed was not tested)- Bluetooth (devices can be recognised and paired)- Graphics (nice!)- Gigabit Ethernet- USB3- USB2- HDMI- SD slot- SVGA- The earphone socket takes a combined earphone/microphone plug, such as those for mobile phones, and both functions work perfectly.- The built in microphone, however, does not work at all. It shows as 'unplugged' in the Pulse Audio control.- There is no option in BIOS to restore to the last power state, meaning that if there's a power dip the unit will not return to a powered on condition, and Wake On LAN won't work because the network interface is unpowered.- I attached a wireless USB2 keyboard & mouse adapter to the unit and both 'just worked.'- My RAID disks were correctly recognised by Linux when they were attached from their shiny new JBOD unit via USB3, and the performance is good. However plugging in a further external USB3 Drive caused a USB power dip, causing the JBOD unit to reset and reattach the disks with different IDs. A powered USB3 Hub attached to the second USB3 port of the Beelink easily solved that problem.The Beelink is running 24/7 and the case feels slightly warm to the touch. The 'sensors' command shows that the CPU Core runs at ~40C when idle (with 2.5% to 5% CPU usage) and under a sustained load over a twenty minute period it topped-out at ~65C: No great issue for a processor designed for operation up to 105C. Memory usage is around 750MB at idle, so there's plenty remaining.Thus far the tiny machine has been very stable and has easily handled all of the tasks that I wanted it to do.Overall, I am very pleased with the Beelink S1 and I'd definitely recommend it, certainly in this particular role as a Linux based home server.

Solid device. 4GB RAM, expandable storage using SD cards or USB drives. Fast boot times. Performance is good for only having 4GB of RAM, but depending on the desired usage you may want to opt for the newer M1 model that has 8GB of RAM.But for day to day tasks, web browsing or if you're using it as a media centre, then the performance will be perfect for you.I wanted to upgrade the RAM myself to 8GB for this device, however it isn't as straight forward compared to upgrading a desktop/laptop RAM. So the company kindly offered me a refund/return of this model, so I could purchase the 8GB M1 model instead, as the tasks that I wanted to perform required more RAM.For the price and specs, you definitely cannot go wrong! Very solid piece of kit and highly recommended. Excellent customer support and service as well!

I am very impressed with this little box. I bought this PC to replace an Amazon Fire TV stick that I was sick and tired of rebooting and which eventually died! It was a breeze to set up and now I have gone about turning off all the Windows 10 spying processes the machine runs very well indeed. It boots quickly and plays HD video in superb quality. I store my media in a WD MyCloud NAS and the old Fire TV stick (Via Plex) would refuse to play half of my media due to trasncoding issues. No such problems here - I can use the plex desktop app or VLC (or any other media player for that matter) and the playback is smooth and the picture stunning. Connection via HDMI is also super easy - a mini cable and adapter is included in the box which I was impressed with. The only thing to note is that you cannot wake this PC via the keyboard or a mouse, you have to actually physically press the button. Now the PC is attached to the back on my TV, I have to reach over the top and turn it on 'by hand', but this is a minor complaint and cannot detract from my 5 star review. A great box at a great price.

Needed a backup for my main pc in case it ever goes down and this little guy fits the bill. Now fitted to the back of my TV, runs windows 10 no problems, working on a remote keyboard, will likely run some low-requirement games, but I got it mainly to get online. Installed W10 updates and confirmed licence all by itself, all together a painless experience.

Have waited a while before posting comments. So far I am delighted by this little box. Windows updated and it functions as well as I can expect. After a day's use it becomes quite warm - but not hot, certainly after surfing, playing music, watching video. I don't do games. It is tucked out of sight on the back of an Asus monitor, and is used in conjunction with a Bolweo 5-Port USB hub (powered) just to guarantee no heat problems (being a belt-and-braces man). Very happy so far, having spent less than half the price of a cheap laptop.

Beelink Mini PC was bought in the Amazon Prime sale reduced from £129.99 to £103,99. It comes with 64GB SSD internal storage and preloaded with Windows 10 but with this, you get about 57GB. However, once it does an initial setup it then downloads updates you are not left with much.I installed Google Chome and FireFox as personally I do not find Windows Edge as good. After a few security/clean up programmes, I am now left with 14GB. Windows 10 takes up a lot of space.Ok, here’s some food for thought, I would recommend the minimum internal space you should go for is 64GB. I have a 32GB after Windows update, browser and security/clean up programme I was left with 4GB which was not enough space for a Windows update which required 6GB. It took me 2 Days to clean and remove all updates. Making sure I did not delete any operating programmes.However, as a small form factor PC, it works very well for surfing the web, sending emails and watch youtube videos. Connected to a dedicated monitor or under a tv is ideal.