REVIEW: Beelink BT4 a small and basic mini PC with Intel Atom x5-Z8500

Beelink BT4 is a new mini PC of the Beelink brand of which we present today in his review. A small computer very similar to his little brother Beelink T4 that we saw in his Review a few days ago. This small PC uses as core the Intel Atom x5-Z8500 processor, inside its box we have 4GB of RAM, Windows 10 Home and has two video outputs with support for resolutions up to 4K@30fps. An ideal product for desks that require free space, HTPC or professional industrial uses in different areas, let’s see how this device behaves in our usual review.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Unboxing

The Beelink BT4 comes in a black cardboard box with the logo of the brand, inside we found the Mini PC, 2x HDMI cables, Manual, VESA support, fixing screws and a DC 12V 1.5A adapter.

Description

The new Beelink BT4 has a compact design and with vents on the sides. On the front we have a status LED, on the side have four USB 3.0 ports and a micro SD reader, on the back  we have the rest of the connectors where its double HDMI 1.4 + VGA video output stands out, we can have up to 4K@30fps video resolution.

In the part the motherboard we find the Wifi aC + BT 4.2 (Intel 3165) adapter with two internal antennas and to cool the set we have a large heatsink with integrated micro fan (this model at first should be fanless). Together with the mini PC we have a standard VESA support that perfectly supports the computer case and two HDMI cables.

• Networks: Wifi ac + BT 4.2 (Intel 3165) with two internal antennas / Ethernet Gigabit.
• Expansions: No expandable.
• Extras: VESA support.

SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and user experience

We boot the Beelink BT4 by pressing the front button of the box, as indicated by the specifications we have Windows 10 Home 64bit correctly activated and the list of devices has all its drivers installed by default. The environment moves OK thanks to the 4GB of RAM and it is possible to load a good number of navigation tabs, but if we load a large number of them already the limitations of this amount of RAM are noticed. A valid computer for office automation, multimedia and classic editing programs at medium level.

• OS Version installed: Windows 10 Home 64bit v1903.
• Software pre-installed: None.
• Tutorials mini PC: Control the mini PC with your Smartphone / Install Windows 10 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Networks, Storage, RAM and Ports

As for network adapters in the Beelink BT4 mini PC, we have an integrated wireless Wifi aC + BT 4.2 adapter (Intel 3165) integrated and Gigabit Ethernet port. We also tested the 4GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM that comes standard in Dual Channel configuration. We pass eMMC 5.1 storage speed tests installed by default and observe that it behaves normally. This miniPC cannot be expanded with an extra internal drive.

• USB ports: We have four USB 3.0.
• Network performance: Good speed with two internal Wifi antennas. / Range 41 dBm, OK. / Bluetooth OK.
• Tutorials mini PC:  Install Windows 10 / Migrate Windows to a SSD / Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks

Processor, performance and thermal

At performance level the Beelink BT4 mini PC has an Intel Atom x5-Z8500 processor with four cores and four threads running between 1.1 and 2.24GHz and an Intel HD Graphics Gen8 GPU up to 600 MHz with 12 EU. This chip has a maximum consumption of only 2 W TDP, the results are correct within his family although with this consumption of course it falls short of other more powerful solutions. A mini PC that works correctly for browsing, multimedia playback with KODI and office automation use at the basic user level.

• If you want to know some of the models in this comparative you can read their detailed reviews on this link.

• Power Consumption: Off 1.3W / Idle 8.5W / Basic use 9.8W / Max. 17W.
• Thermals: Idle 40ºC / Basic use 50ºC / Max. 80ºC / Maintains performance up to 99%
• Game performance: PUBG 83ºC / CPU 2.2 GHz average.
• Noise: 21db in the cooling fan / Not annoying but audible.
• Overclock: Available but we do not recommend touching the BIOS.

Games

We pass several benchmarks with games in the Beelink BT4, in this model we have the classic results in the line of this type of products, the Intel HD Graphics Gen8 GPU is perfectly valid for simple games such as those we can find in Android phones downloading them from the Microsoft Store. At the level of emulators at the most we stay in some simple Wii titles. We can also play smoothly 3D light games like LoL or similar, not enough power to play AAA games with demanding 3D.

• GTA V / Overwatch / Fortnite / PUBG Lite: low settings, 720p* resolution and No VSync./ PUBG Lite configuration tutorial.
• LOL / CS:GO: low settings, 1080p resolution and No VSync.
  *On models with powerful discrete GPU settings in medium and 1080p resolution

VIDEO AND AUDIO TESTS

Playback test

If we check the video playback aspect the Beelink BT4 mini PC with the integrated Intel HD Graphics Gen8 have a VPU with hardware support for the basic HEVC codec and as we see it does not support hardware VP9. This processor also does not support 10bit of color or native HDR content by default and reduces colors at the SD level. A valid device to play 1080p content in h.264 that is mostly extended and in which we can use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX.

• Video output: Dual = HDMI 1.4 + VESA / Max 4K@30fps / Adjust image quality in our TV.
• Audio output: HDMI with Intel HD audio up to 7.1 / Audio jack stereo / Without integrated microphone.
• Tutorials: Playback 4K videos with HEVC and VP9 seamlessly / Install KODI with add-ons / Judder effect (auto refresh rate)
• Configuration tutorial: Basic concepts and configuration for multichannel audio on Windows and Android

Video test

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

Audio test

• PCM – Stereo only doing downmix from DD or DTS
• Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby / DTS base system
  * Our AV receiver does not support these native formats but we verify that it is played back to 7.1

Streaming services

In the streaming aspect the Beelink BT4 mini PC with the most popular streaming services we pass some test for Youtube, Netflix, HBO, 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 HD or 4K quality

• Performance: Has hardware acceleration for VP9 4K codec on Youtube.
• Tutorial: Add-on for Chrome to force h.264 if we have problems with VP9.

CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS

Score

Opinion

After review the new Beelink BT4 mini PC we can say that we find a compact computer with enough hardware for a desktop with few needs and light multimedia use. This model includes an active fan that keeps temperatures at bay that is audible but not annoying and includes a VESA support which allows us to hide it behind any TV.

The small Beelink BT4 computer does not allow expansion options, the 4GB of RAM allows us to make a basic use and with the 64GB of storage we can have Windows 10, Office and a browser without problems. In general a compact and economical mini PC, a valid option if we need space and have a reduced budget.

Where to buy

• As an alternative you can compare this product with our recommended models.

Beelink BT4

0.00

5.8

DESIGN

7.0/10

HARDWARE

6.5/10

CONNECTIVITY

0.5/10

SUPPORT

8.0/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.0/10

Pros

• Compact
• Two video outputs
• Wifi ac and Ethernet Gigabit
• Multiple USB 3.0 ports
• Low noise fan

Cons

• VPU out of date for h.265 or vp9
• Box can be cooler