Beelink SEi12, review: new mini PC with Intel Core i5-1235U

Beelink SEi12 is a new mini PC of the Beelink brand that we present today in our review. A small size computer with good design and Intel Gen12 processor.

In this mini PC we find the new Intel Core i5-1235U manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7) which includes the new Alder Lake architecture with high and low performance cores. In terms of graphics power we have an Intel Xe GPU superior to the classic Intel HD Graphics.

This PC can be purchased with 16/32 GB DDR4 RAM configuration, 500 GB M.2 NVMe drive and a space for a 2.5″ SATA hard drive. This mini PC has the Windows 11 Pro operating system and offers a hardware set with which it is possible to run any design app or others with high performance. This new computer also offers two fans and a new design in the upper area with waterproof fabric finish.

We will now pass our classic round of tests to see how this device behaves in our detailed review.

Beelink SEi12 details

Unboxing

This mini PC Beelink SEi12 comes in a nice and well protected cardboard box. Inside we find the small protected computer with its contents, manual, 2x HDMI cable, VESA bracket and 19V 6.32A charger (120 W).

Description

The small Beelink SEi12 has an attractive design with a robust metal case with vents around the perimeter and a new waterproof fabric finish on the top. In this new case we now also find two fans, one on the CPU in blower format and another in the lower area to cool RAM/NVMe.

On the front we find the power button, BIOS reset, audio in/out jack, USB-C data (NOT power) and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports. In the rear area we find two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, 2 HDMI 2.1, a Gigabit Ethernet and for power supply we have an additional round DC port (do not use the front USB-C).

This small PC has one M.2 slot and we find the Wifi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2 (Intel AX201) adapter with two internal antennas and two Gigabit Ethernet ports (Realtek). We also have installed a SSD M.2 500GB 2280 NVMe Kingston SSD and for RAM we have two slots SODIMM DDR4 3200 MHz Crucial. We also have a housing for a 2.5″ SATA storage drive in the lower top cover.

• RAM: 16/32 GB DDR4 Crucial 3200MHz max / 2x SODIMM.
• Storage: 500 GB 1x M.2 2280 NVMe Kingston / 1x SATA 3 2.5″.
• Network: Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 (Intel AX201) / 1x Gigabit Ethernet (Realtek).

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We press the power up and the Beelink SEi12 small blue front LED lights up. this computer has Windows 11 Pro installed and activated, with its drivers installed correctly ready to work and we only have to run Windows Update to get it in optimal state for testing. This mini PC as we found moves fast and boots quickly thanks to its NVMe drive. It is possible to load a large number of browsing tabs without slowing down performance. An ideal computer for office work, multimedia, casual gaming and apps of all kinds.

• OS Version installed: Windows 11 Pro 64bit / Linux optional.
• Software pre-installed: None.
• Tutorials: Control the micro PC with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Networks, Storage, RAM and Ports

In terms of network connectivity this mini PC has a Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 wireless adapter (Intel AX201) and one Ethernet Gigabit port (Realtek). The speed results are quite good and we have a correct range.

• Network performance: Two internal Wifi antennas / Range 40 dBm / Link 5G 1200 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

We passed speed tests on the storage of the Intel M.2 500GB NVMe Kingston disk and observed that it behaves normally according to the specifications. For the performance tests we have 16 GB of DDR4 3200 MHz Crucial RAM with Dual Channel configuration.

• USB ports: USB 3.1 Type-C (data, NOT power) / 3x USB 3.0 / 1x USB 2.0.
• PC Tutorials:  Install Windows 10 / Migrate Windows to a SSD / Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks

Processor, performance and thermal

The Beelink SEi12 mini PC features the efficient Intel Core i5-1235U processor manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7). A chip with ten Alder Lake cores, two high-efficiency cores, eight low-power cores and the ability to manage twelve threads, the speed is between 3.3 and 4.4GHz. In the graphics section we have an Intel Xe GPU with 80 EU that reaches up to 1200 MHz. This chip has a staggered TPD of 15/55 W TDP, thanks to its different cores it always offers the minimum consumption.

This mini PC can work without problems for heavy editing applications such as Photoshop, multimedia playback with KODI or IPTV up to 4K, office use and 3D games up to a certain level.

We have found in performance tests that the mini PC Beelink SEi12 is quite good in power in single core and multi core, we can use demanding programs quite smoothly without major problems. The installed Intel Xe GPU gives us a good performance similar to its AMD rival in the Ryzen processor family, in Windows it is advisable to adjust the power system correctly with: Power plan > high performance.

This compact computer as we can see gives us a good performance with respect to its thermals, the system keeps the temperatures controlled with its fans with variable RPM and emits very little noise, at rest it is almost inaudible and in games it is quite audible but not outrageous at all. This processor with its 10 nm (Intel 7) is efficient and has a fairly low power consumption in all scenarios.

• Power consumption: Off 0.9W / Idle 10W / Basic use 28W / Maximum 83W.
• Thermal: Idle 40ºC / Basic use 46ºC / Maximum 75ºC / CPU 4.4 GHz max / Performance up to 100%.
• Gaming performance: LoL 69ºC / CPU 3.2 GHz on average.
• Noise: 44dBA Max / Variable RPM / NO Semi-passive.
• Fans: YES can be adjusted in BIOS.

Games

We ran multiple performance tests running games on the Beelink SEi12. The results of the Intel Core i5-1235U processor as we can see are in line with the integrated Vega GPUs that we have in the Ryzen. The integrated Intel Xe GPU with 80 EU can serve us for games in 1080p quality if they are not very demanding as the system falls somewhat short in games with a lot of 3D load. In terms of emulators, we are limited to a few simple Wii, PS2, Dreamcast and similar titles.

• Setting: High quality / 1080p resolution / No VSync / Play emulators with RetoArch.
  * On models with integrated Intel HD GPU on low and 720p resolution.

On this mini PC it is possible to play games without problems titles such as LoL, in more demanding games like Fornite with the graphics settings in performance mode is playable because it reaches 65 fps in low quality and in DX11 mode we can reach 48 fps. If we are mainly interested in the Gaming section is better to go for a PC with a dedicated GPU where we will have a much smoother experience.

Video and audio tests

Playback test

In the video playback section of the mini PC Beelink SEi12 has an integrated Intel Xe GPU which features a VPU with hardware support for HEVC and VP9 codecs and we have support for the modern AV1 video codec. In this processor has support for 10bit color and native HDR support by default and resolution up to 8K. This PC is perfectly valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX app as a server.

• Video outputs: 2x HDMI 2.1 / HDR10 / Adjust image quality in our monitor.
• Audio outputs: HDMI up to 7.1 / Stereo audio jack.
• Tutorials: 4K videos with HEVC, VP9 / Install KODI with add-ons / Auto refresh rate / Multichannel audio on Windows

Video test

• * The maximum bit rate depends on the internal storage, usb port, Ethernet adapter with our SAMBA Network.
• SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have some frameskip in very heavy files.

• Native – Supports the format directly in our AV receiver or similar / More info.
• Core – Only the 5.1 core of the format is played so we go to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info.
• PCM – Only stereo downmixing from DD or DTS.

Streaming services

We performed multiple tests with the Beelink SEi12 using the most popular streaming services such as Youtube, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and others with their native apps or using the most compatible browser. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the best known streaming services, how to configure them and what requirements are necessary to see content in FullHD or 4K quality.

• Performance: Has hardware acceleration for VP9 4K codec on Youtube.
• Tutorial: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC for PC

Conclusions and buy links for Beelink SEi12

Score

Opinion

Once our tests on the Beelink SEi12 mini PC are over, the tests show us a very efficient and powerful mini PC for desktop use. This computer offers the new Alder Lake Intel Core i5-1235U processor manufactured at 10 nm (Intel 7) with very low power consumption, has an Intel Xe 80 EU GPU that copes well with simple games, but is not intended for heavy 3D gaming. We also have two 4K video outputs and VESA support to hang it anywhere.

The Beelink SEi12 computer has a very positive performance, allowing us to run tasks with demanding apps in calculations. Inside the box we have a Kingston M.2 2280 NVMe 500GB SSD, it is also possible to mount a SATA 3 2.5″ disk and we have two SODIMM DDR4 slots that allow easy expansion.

In terms of networking we find a Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 adapter with very good wireless performance, as well as Gigabit Ethernet. As a novelty the cooling system mounts two fans that we will only hear running games or launching demanding calculations with heavy apps, in the upper area we have a waterproof fabric that allows the passage of air.

As we have seen the Beelink SEi12 is a new efficient and powerful mini PC. This computer can be used professionally in many applications with minimal power consumption and low noise.

Where to buy

Beelink SEi12

0.00

8.2

Performance

8.5/10

Thermals

9.0/10

GPU

7.5/10

Design

8.5/10

Price

7.5/10

Pros

• Efficient processor
• Two vents
• Quiet
• Nice design
• Wifi 6

Cons

• Intel Xe drivers can be better