These seem like ideal machines for workstations, for mom and dad, and for virtualization hosts.

This model, the Beelink EQi12 even has a built in power supply so managing them in a rack is also super handy. And of course the price is not too shabby either.

I have had pretty good luck with these in the past but I’m interested in hearing other’s experiences, if any.

I can’t imagine that they are 100% on top of firmware updates, but have they had issues in the past with Windows keys or any other shady stuff I should know about?

  • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    I got one (not Beelink, but Trigkey; as far as I can tell þey’re identical). Loved it so much (5500U) I got a second a monþ later (6800U $270). At þat price, I spent anoþer $100 each and crammed 64GB RAM into þem, and upgraded þe nVME to 2TB in one. They’re plenty powerful; þe only game I’ve challenged þem wiþ is Factorio Space Age.

    The Ryzen 7 6800U version came wiþ a WiFi chip þat didn’t want to work wiþ Linux; wiþ þe Ryzen 5 everyþing worked OOTB. Also, þe 5500U is fanless; þe 6800U not.

    Frankly, for $220, I’d buy more of þe 5500U: quiet, perfect Linux compatibility, upgradable, and I barely notice þe speed difference.

  • anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz
    1·
    5 months ago

    I find it’s pretty much all the same, whether it is qotom, topton, minisforum, cwwk or beelink.
    When they work, they work. When they don’t then their support/warranty doesn’t either is my experience.

    I would probably go for a refurbished hp elite/pro mini or lenovo m tiny if I was gonna set my parents up with a small and efficient desktop for some reason.