Exploring the Beelink Mini S12 Pro: A Comprehensive Review
Hey everyone, I recently had the chance to delve into the
world of Mini PCs with the Beelink Mini S12 Pro, and I'm excited to share my
findings with you. This compact powerhouse runs on an Intel Alder Lake 12Gen
N100 CPU, boasting 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB storage capacity. Join me as
I take you through the unboxing, design features, and performance benchmarks of
this intriguing Mini PC.
Unboxing and Design:
Upon opening the box, I discovered the Mini S12 Pro
alongside essential accessories, including two HDMI cables, a 12V 3A DC power
supply, a bracket for monitor mounting, and a user manual. The design showcases
a sleek plastic shell with the Beelink logo, featuring dual HDMI 2.0 ports, a 1
GB LAN port, USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, and more. The Mini S12 Pro also
comes with a handy SATA expandable storage compartment.
Hardware Overview:
Under the hood, the Mini S12 Pro boasts a 512 GB NVME 2280
M.2 SSD, a 16 GB DDR4 RAM module, and an Intel UHD graphics APU. Surprisingly,
despite its seemingly low base clock speed of 800 MHz, this Mini PC exhibits
efficient performance. The boost clock speed can reach up to 3.3 GHz under
intensive activities, making it a snappy and responsive system.
Operating System and Performance:
The Mini S12 Pro comes pre-installed with Windows 11,
providing a seamless user experience. The Intel N100 processor, coupled with 16
GB of DDR4 RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and quick responsiveness. AIDA64
and CPU-Z confirm the hardware specifications, while the Realtek ALC 897 audio
adapter and Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 101 provide excellent audio and connectivity
options.
Multimedia Capabilities:
The Mini S12 Pro impresses with its multimedia capabilities,
supporting a 4K 2160p resolution with HDR display. It offers dual monitor extended
display, wireless display features, and an array of surround sound audio
formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS X. The APU's graphics features Vulkan
and OpenGL 4.6, enhancing the gaming experience.
Benchmark Results:
Benchmarks reveal the Mini S12 Pro's prowess, with
impressive scores in RAM transfer speed, M.2 SSD read and write speeds, network
speeds, and CPU and GPU performance. 3DMark time spy test showcases its gaming
capabilities, achieving around 30 fps in games like Apex Legends at 1440p.
Video Editing and Gaming:
While video editing with 4K clips may not be its strongest
suit, the Mini S12 Pro excels in retro gaming. With the Retroarch platform, it
effortlessly handles Nintendo 64 and PlayStation games. However, modern games
like Destiny 2 on Steam may struggle, indicating limitations in
high-performance gaming.
Alternative Operating Systems:
Experimenting with alternative operating systems, I
encountered some challenges. Android x86 failed due to compatibility issues,
and FydeOS lagged behind with an outdated Android subsystem. Yet, using a
custom Chrome OS build provided access to Google Play Store and Android 11,
delivering a unique experience with high-performance Android gaming.
Conclusion:
In summary, the Beelink Mini S12 Pro stands out as a
high-performance budget Mini PC, offering versatility and power for its price
point. Priced around $179, it presents an attractive option for those seeking a
compact yet capable computing solution. As we approach Black Friday, now might
be the perfect time to explore this Mini PC's features.
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