CHUWI LarkBox S, Review: efficient and cheap mini PC with Intel Core i3-1220P

Today we will see in detail the new mini PC CHUWI LarkBox S through our analysis or review. A computer that mounts the Intel Core i3-1220P processor.

The attractive CHUWI LarkBox S computer has the Intel Core i3-1220P processor, a more powerful alternative to the Intel N100 and N95 processors. This mini PC features dual video output, 16 GB of RAM in two SODIMMs, a 512 GB NVMe SSD drive and eye-catching RGB LEDS on the front. The installed operating system is Windows 11 Pro, but we can install Linux if we want.

Let’s check how it performs in our review and how it fares against its competition.

CHUWI LarkBox S mini PC details

Unboxing of CHUWI LarkBox S

The CHUWI LarkBox S compact PC is delivered in a rather simple but protected cardboard box. You have in the box the mini PC, DC charger, VESA support with screws and a manual.

Description of the CHUWI LarkBox S

The small CHUWI LarkBox S stands out for its RGB lights on the front and for the silkscreen printing on the top area. On the front, we have the power button with several USB ports, including two full USB-C 3.2. In the rear area we have the rest of the connectors where we highlight its two HDMI ports. We are surprised by the large size of its DC supply.

• Ports: 1x USB-C 3.2 / 1x USB-C 3.1 / 2x USB-A 3.1 / 2x USB 2.0 / 2x HDMI 2.0 / 1x Jack / 1x Gigabit Ethernet.
• Disable lights: Enter BIOS > Advanced > RGB Lights Control > Disabled

We remove the bottom cover where we find a protective plate. Inside we have a 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0×8 SSD M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0×8, it has 16GB DDR4 3200 MHz RAM in two SODIMM slots. As cooling we have a fan in the lower area.

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We start the CHUWI LarkBox S by pressing the front power button, the front LED lights up. In a few seconds we get to the Windows 11 Pro 64 bit desktop which is activated by connecting to the internet. We have all the drivers installed correctly, and we update it without problems with the Windows Update system. The system moves smoothly on desktop, it is a sufficient hardware for office, multimedia and also lightweight design.

• OS: Windows 11 Pro 64bit / Linux optional.
• Software: No preinstalled apps / Antivirus check = OK.
• BIOS: ESC access / BIOS AMI text / WOL / Auto Power ON / Power ON RTC.
• Tutorials: Control with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Network, Storage, RAM and Ports

Inside the CHUWI LarkBox S mini PC we find a wireless adapter with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 (Intel AC-9560) with acceptable speed and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The SSD is a fast M.2 2280 NVMe. The RAM comes in a SODIMM and is 16 GB of RAM DDR4 3200 MHz with a Single Channel module, but we can mount a configuration up to Dual Channel.

• Wifi: Range 42 dBm / Link 5G 1700 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

Processor and features

In this CHUWI we have the Intel Core i3-1220P (Alder Lake-P) chip manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7) that has 2 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores that move between 3.3 – 4.4GHz. For graphics, we have an Intel UHD Graphics GPU up to 1100 MHz with 64 EU. This processor has a configurable power consumption between 20-64 W TDP. As we can see it is a computer with adequate performance for desktop, suitable for use with KODI or IPTV, light editing applications and games in 2D or little 3D.

CHUWI LarkBox S Benchmarks

We performed multiple performance tests with the CHUWI LarkBox S, the performance as we see is quite superior to the Intel N100 and N95, especially in the multicore aspect. The installed GPU Intel UHD Graphics with 64 EU up to 1.1 GHz, as we can see, is limited to run simple games without much 3D.

Thermal and noise

As we can see in the CHUWI LarkBox S we have a good performance, the system keeps temperatures under control with its fairly quiet fan. At idle it is not very audible and in games it is audible, but not much more noise in all scenarios.

• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Idle 6W / Usage 26W / Max 52W.
• Thermal: 40ºC – 71ºC Max / 69ºC Gaming / CPU 2.8 GHz Max / Performance up to 100%.
• Noise: 38 dBA Max / Variable RPM / Semi-passive.

Gaming

We tested with multiple games on the CHUWI LarkBox S, the results are in line with this type of GPU integrated into low-power Intel. As we can see, Intel UHD Graphics GPU with 64 EU is suitable for games in 1080p or 720p quality, it is not suitable for games with a lot of 3D load.

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

We ran tests on this PC playing LoL with a fairly spare frame rate, for example. In more demanding games like Fornite ta we do not have a good experience. As for emulators at most we stay in some simple Wii, PS2 and similar titles , we can not with demanding 3D emulators.

Video and audio test

Playback tests

The new CHUWI LarkBox S mini computer has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics GPU with VPU support for HEVC, VP9 and AV1 codecs. There is also support for HDR10 and multi-channel audio up to 7.1. This small computer is valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX.

• Video: 2x HDMI 2.0 1x USB-C / HDR10.
• Audio: HDMI up to 7.1 Jack stereo / Dolby DTS.
• Tutorials: Install KODI with add-ons / Auto refresh rate / Multichannel audio on Windows

Video and audio test results

Video and audio tests

• Bitrate max: 350 Mbps.
• HW = With Hardware acceleration / SW = No Hardware acceleration.

• Formats: Native = Full support / Core = 5.1 only / PCM = Stereo / More info.

Streaming services on CHUWI LarkBox S

Using the CHUWI LarkBox S we performed several tests with the most popular streaming services, the results are generally positive. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the most popular streaming services, in it, we explain how to get FullHD quality or up to 4K@60 resolutions.

• Performance: It has hardware acceleration for AV1 4K codec on YouTube.
• Tutorials: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC for PC

Streaming Results

Conclusions and purchase links for CHUWI LarkBox S

Opinion about CHUWI LarkBox S

Once we have tested the CHUWI LarkBox S we see that we have a PC that moves adequately for desktop thanks to the Intel Core i3-1220P processor, where with its efficient cores we have a very tight consumption and low noise. This PC is valid for home use and also has three video outputs thanks to its full USB-C port if we want to mount a good Setup screens.

The CHUWI LarkBox S has a 512 GB M.2 NVMe SSD quite fast and easily expandable, the RAM memory with two SODIMM also allows using it in Dual Channel with the increase in performance that this implies. We have installed Windows 11 Pro as OS that allows us to navigate, run office apps or consume multimedia content and includes VESA support to hang it behind our monitor.

The CHUWI LarkBox S is a solid and efficient mini PC. Thanks to it, we can surf the Internet, consume multimedia or use design apps with more power than a mini PC with Intel N100 and a very reasonable price in its introductory offer.

Where to buy

Evaluation