Beelink has taken the wraps off its latest compact desktop, the EQi Intel Wildcat Lake, positioning it as a cost-conscious choice for users who need reliable performance for everyday tasks and moderate workloads. At its core is the Intel Core 3 304, the most accessible processor in the fresh Wildcat Lake lineup.
An Unconventional Storage Choice
The same processor family has begun surfacing in budget-friendly laptop alternatives, but Beelink’s approach to storage is notably distinct. Instead of a standard solid-state drive, the base system relies on 512 GB of UFS 3.1 flash storage, a format far more common inside smartphones than desktop PCs. While it offers a clear upgrade over older eMMC technology, it falls well short of the NVMe drives found in most rivals. Theoretical peak throughput reaches around 2.1 GB/s, roughly equivalent to a PCIe 4.0 x1 link.
Expansion Options and Memory Configurations
Thankfully, users are not locked into built-in storage alone. Two M.2 slots are available for adding full-size SSDs, though bandwidth is split unevenly: one slot supports PCIe 4.0 x2 speeds, while the second is capped at x1. Each slot can accommodate drives up to 4 TB in capacity. On the memory front, mid-tier and higher configurations ship with socketed DDR5 RAM, making future upgrades straightforward. The entry-level model, by contrast, uses soldered LPDDR5 memory that cannot be replaced after purchase.
Connectivity and Thermals
Despite its small footprint, the mini PC packs a broad selection of ports:
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- 1x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 2x HDMI 2.1
- 1x 3.5 mm audio jack
- 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless connectivity is handled by WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. An integrated 85-watt power supply and a silent cooling system round out the key features. Beelink is now accepting pre-orders in three configurations, all sharing the same 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage baseline: a 16 GB RAM model priced at $509, a 24 GB variant at $659, and a top-tier 32 GB option for $739.
Source: www.bee-link.com