Beelink EQi: a powerful mini-PC based on Intel Wildcat Lake with an unusual storage system

Beelink has officially unveiled the EQi, an affordable mini-PC based on Intel Wildcat Lake architecture designed for basic tasks and moderate workloads. The device is powered by an entry-level Intel Core 3 304 processor.

Overview of characteristics and features

One of the most interesting details of the configuration is the drive: the mini-PC is equipped with 512 GB of UFS 3.1 flash memory, which is more often found in smartphones than in full-fledged PCs. This standard is faster than traditional eMMC, but is significantly inferior to NVMe SSD in terms of throughput – the theoretical speed limit here reaches 2.1 GB / s, which brings it closer to the PCIe 4.0 x1 standard.

The manufacturer has taken care of scalability: users do not have to be limited by the built-in UFS drive. There are two M.2 slots for SSD inside. One supports PCIe 4.0 x2 speeds, the second works with x1 bandwidth. Each slot can accommodate a drive up to 4 TB.

Configuration options and RAM

The memory allocation system varies by model. The top and mid-range versions use modern DDR5 RAM, which can be replaced if necessary. The base model is equipped with soldered LPDDR5 memory, which cannot be upgraded. Prices for the device are set at the following levels:

• Version with 16 GB of RAM: 20,869 UAH ($509)
• Version with 24 GB of RAM: 27,020 UAH ($659)
• Version with 32 GB of RAM: 30,299 UAH ($739)

All of the listed modifications already include 512 GB of UFS 3.1 memory.

Variety of ports and multimedia

Despite its small dimensions, Beelink EQi has an impressive set of interfaces for connecting peripherals:

• 2x Thunderbolt 4
• 1x USB Type-C (10 Gbps)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
• 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 1x 2.5G LAN and 1x 10G LAN
• 1x HDMI supporting 4K 60Hz output
• 1x 3.5 mm audio jack

Power is supplied by a built-in 85 W unit. The kit also includes WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless modules, as well as a quiet cooling system.

Is Beelink EQi worth buying?

This mini-PC is a balanced solution for those who need a compact office or multimedia computer that is future-proof thanks to M.2 expansion slots and the presence of modern ports, including Thunderbolt 4. The model is currently available for pre-order.

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