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Mini-PC Beelink SER4: the smaller the size, the more "bang"

My opinion is that Beelink SER4 4800U is a powerful and very compact mini PC. This computer is sufficient for professional use in many applications and allows you to run several complex games.

It looks like 2021 and 2022 will be 2 years that could change the world of computers in terms of size, affordability and of course performance. Currently, this trend wants some of the most powerful mini PCs in the world to fit in the palm of your hand (much like today's Beelink SER4), coupled with significant processing power coming from Intel as well as AMD's Ryzen chipset.

And while there are a few Ryzen mini PCs out there — fewer than Intel-based ones — more and more OEMs are starting to use AMD Ryzen processors in their mini PC lines.

Beelink SER4 - appearance

If you're in the market for a fairly powerful beast - with some punch in everyday use - then newly released SER4, which comes with the not-so-power-hungry Ryzen 7-4800U chipset, could easily be your next best buy!

Beelink SER4 - Key Features

  • OS: Windows 11 Pro
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7-4800U, 7nm process, TDP 15W
  • Processor: 8 cores, 16 threads @ 1,8-4,2 GHz
  • GPU: Radeon RX Vega 8 @ 1750 MHz
  • RAM: 16/32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz (dual channel)
  • Storage: 500GB/1TB m.2 NVMe SSD
  • Wireless: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
  • Ports: USB Type-A 3.0*3, USB Type-A 2.0*1, USB-C*1, 3,5mm audio jack, 1000M Ethernet 1
  • Dimensions: 126x113x42mm
  • Weight: 455 g

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Basic equipment

  • Mini PC Beelink SER4 x 1
  • Power adapter 57W x 1
  • User manual x 1
  • VESA Mount Bracket x 1
  • HDMI cable x 2 (1 meter and 0,2 meters)

Beelink SER4 - retail package

I must admit that Beelink surprised me, really caught my eye. The SER4 looks great and certainly comes with considerable processing power: 32 GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM and Ryzen 7-4800U chipset inside. It's not big, but it's definitely one of the most attractive mini PCs out there.

It comes with an aluminum (and metal) construction and a perforated top panel that dissipates heat easily. It also gives the device a more premium (cool) look. For those who prefer... stickers, outside of the device there are 4 of them: the AMD and Beelink logo, as well as the Ryzen 7 and Radeon GPU logo.

Beelink SER4 - top view and dimensions

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As I mentioned earlier, the SER4 comes in black with 2 red grilles on the side to help dissipate heat easily and an all metal body. It has excellent build quality, no scratchy sounds. Its dimensions 126x113x42mm so it can easily fit behind my curved Xiaomi monitor without any problem.

If you literally don't have desk space, the VESA mount included in the retail box will help you attach your mini PC to the back of your monitor. Thus, causing it to completely disappear from the environment. It weighs only 455 g, so it will be easy to move it around the house or take it on a business trip. If you have monitors in your office and in your apartment, this should be a lot easier than carrying around a laptop.

Beelink SER4 - front panel and connectors

Connectivity options

This little devil also comes with impressive connectivity options.  The front panel has a backlit power button, a 3,5mm headphone jack, a USB 3.1 type-C port with alternate mode, two USB 3.1 ports, and a "CLR CMOS" hole for forced reset. The back panel includes Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.1 and a USB 2.0 port, two HDMI 2.0 ports and a power connector.

Beelink SER4 - rear connection panel

Inside there is a Mediatek MT7921K M.2 2230 WiFi 6E (or 802.11ax) card that supports the new 6GHz band. There is also an M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 SSD (review model included a 500GB Intel 660p drive with Windows 11 Pro installed). There is also the option to add a 2,5" SATA drive to the cover, which is connected to the motherboard via a short ZIF cable.

Beelink SER4 - side ventilation grilles

If you're good at math, then you may have noticed that the SER4 comes with HDMI 3 ports. This means it can drive up to three 4K displays at the same time. Multi-screen operation in a retail, commercial or corporate environment is one of the strongest features of the SER4. Sorry it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port, so if you love an eGPU then that's a bummer.

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Performance: old but fresh

This little beast may not pack AMD's most advanced processor, but it delivers punch where it's needed. The AMD Ryzen7-4800 processor that's inside is based on a 7nm Zen2-based processor with 8 processor cores, 16 threads, and an integrated Radeon Graphics GPU.

The device that Beelink decided to send me has dual channel DDR4 3200MHz and 500GB memory. 2 NVMe SSDs. Although the Ryzen7-4800U is a mobile chip released over 2 years ago, it still impresses and the test results speak for itself.

Beelink SER4 - AMD Ryzen 7 Specifications

Power Consumption

The power consumption for this configuration was measured as follows:

  • Initially connected - 1,0 W
  • Power on (conclusion) - 0,4W (Windows) and 0,4W (Ubuntu)
  • BIOS* - 18,7W
  • GRUB Boot Menu - 17,2W
  • Idle - 5,6W (Windows) and 4,1W (Ubuntu)
  • Loaded processor - 36,1 W (Windows "cinebench") and 30,8 W (Ubuntu "stress")
  • Video playback * * - 25,4W (Windows Edge 4K60fps) and 30,6W (Ubuntu Chrome 4K60fps)

Benchmarks - Overall Performance

In everyday use, the difference in single-core performance will go largely unnoticed. If you want to edit multiple 4K videos, then the multi-core capability of the AMD chip will be implemented.

The m.2 NVMe SSD might not be the fastest on the market, but with read speeds of almost 2000MB/s, it's perfect for booting up Windows and all your favorite productivity apps.

Beelink SER4 - Geekbench 5 Test comparisons

Beelink SER4 - Cinebench R20 Test comparisons

Beelink SER4 - Cinebench R23 Test comparisons

As you can see from the benchmarks, the SER4 is capable of handling fairly intense graphics workloads without a significant performance hit. That being said, please keep in mind that SER4 won't be enough if you're an avid gamer in need of the highest FPS, tremendous speed, and near-zero lag.

Beelink SER4 - CrystalDiskMark 8 access speed tests

As I mentioned earlier, the SER4 is a really solid HTPC, decoding any video formats you might need without issue, including multiple 8K@60fps and 4K@120fps videos. Streaming 4K YouTube video in Chrome, this machine also does not skip a bit. I haven't had a chance to try 8K streaming - but who needs it anyway?

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Another interesting feature of this Lilliputian device is its heat dissipation and power consumption. That's just 5W at idle, maxing out at 39W when doing heavy-duty graphic editing or some addictive gaming.

On the downside, it's not the quietest mini PC out there. Every time it starts running, the fans go off like a plane 5 seconds before loading. This is to cool the small chamber of the processor, so it can be a little annoying if you're used to working with an Apple Mac Mini M1 that runs silently 24 hours a day.

Beelink SER4 - 3DMark performance tests

With efficient cooling, the SER4 is also extremely stable, passing the 3DMark Time Spy Stress test with a very high score.

WiFi 6E support

I don't think anyone can be disappointed with the connectivity features of the SER4. The device supports the latest WiFi 6E technology, also known as WiFi 6 Extended. Such a thing allows PCs to use the 6GHz band, which in turn enables more bandwidth, faster speeds, and lower latency, opening up resources for future innovations like AR/VR, 8K streaming, and more. It also features a typical Ethernet connector for typical wired internet access.

Beelink SER4 - find out what's inside

Software: Comes with a licensed, clean copy of Windows 11 Pro

I was very pleased to see that during the first boot, my SER4 came with a licensed version of Windows 11 Pro with no pre-installed third-party apps or malware that you need to remove. This means that the average user will have no problem using it and will make the necessary updates and take advantage of their new features. 

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However, if you're not using Windows, you can easily install a fresh copy of Ubuntu and see the little beast fly! I partitioned the SSD, and installed Ubuntu using Ubuntu 20.04.4 ISO as a dual boot. After installing and updating, a brief check showed working audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and video output from the USB Type-C port. Everything worked fast enough.

Beelink SER4 - Installing Ubuntu 20

Beelink SER4 comparisons

Priced around $600, the Beelink SER4 is among the VFM deals in the mini PC market. Choosing a Ryzen 7 processor (from the 4000 series) is good when running an Intel-based mini PC. Especially those with Intel Core i5. It's not as powerful as its "Ryzen 9-5900HX" sibling, but it's more affordable and energy efficient.

Beelink SER4 - performance comparison with other mini PCs

The SER4's closest competitor is the i11-5G1135-based Intel NUC 7 Pro. How can you get the latest one with 8GB of memory and 500GB SSD on the same budget. The NUC comes with more versatile Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is a must for some users. However, in terms of power, very few Intel-based models can actually match the SER4.

My opinion about Beelink SER4

After testing Beelink SER4 4800U mini pc can be said to be one powerful mini pc. This little miracle provides AMD Ryzen 7 4800U processor with Vega8 GPU it protects itself well. It has three 4K video outputs and a Gigabit Ethernet port for transferring large files. It can be hung on a VESA bracket or placed anywhere on the table without taking up space.

Beelink SER4 - appearance and packaging

Beelink SER4 4800U offers high processing power which makes it suitable even for any heavy task. It's packed with 512 GB Intel M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, option to mount SATA 3 2,5″ disk and 2 SODIMM slots that allow easy expansion of RAM.

As I mentioned before, it also stands out for integration WiFi 6E with good performance. It boasts a fan-assisted cooling system that we'll only hear when running heavy games or when running complex calculations. 

My opinion is that Beelink SER4 4800U it powerful and very compact mini PC. This computer is sufficient for professional use in many applications and allows you to run several complex games.

Key features of Beelink SER4

  • Excellent CPU and heatsink performance
  • Large capacity storage
  • HD Graphics and quad display
  • Multiple wireless connections and interfaces
  • Fingerprint and reliable service for life

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