Beelink EQ14 Review: Is This $200 Mini PC the Best Budget Pick of 2025?

Mini PCs have been gaining a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. They’re small, quiet, and perfect for anyone who needs a computer that doesn’t take up much space. But let’s be honest, not all mini PCs are created equal. Some are overpriced, some are underpowered, and some just don’t live up to the hype. That’s where the Beelink EQ14 comes in. Priced at just $200, this little machine promises to deliver a lot for its size and price tag.

The Beelink EQ14 is powered by Intel’s new Twin Lake N150 processor, which is essentially a refreshed version of the popular N100 chip. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but it’s designed to handle everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and even some light gaming. With 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB M.2 SATA SSD, it’s got enough muscle to keep things running smoothly. Plus, it comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, so you’re ready to go right out of the box.

But let’s not sugarcoat it—this isn’t a gaming rig or a video editing powerhouse. It’s a budget-friendly mini PC, and it’s designed for people who need something simple, reliable, and affordable. So, if you’re looking for a machine that can handle your daily tasks without breaking the bank, the Beelink EQ14 is definitely worth a closer look.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you’ll notice about the Beelink EQ14 is just how small it is. Measuring 126mm x 126mm x 39mm, it’s about the size of a small book, and it weighs just 493 grams. That’s lighter than most laptops! The design is simple but effective. It’s not flashy or overly futuristic—just a clean, minimalist look. The navy blue color gives it a subtle touch of personality without being too loud, and the matte finish ensures it won’t turn into a fingerprint magnet. The top of the unit has a slightly textured feel, with the Beelink logo and “EQ” branding subtly placed in the corner.

Now, let’s talk about the materials. The EQ14 is made entirely of plastic, which might make some people skeptical about its durability. But here’s the thing—it doesn’t feel cheap. The plastic used here is sturdy and well-constructed, with no creaks or flex when you pick it up. It’s not going to win any awards for being the most rugged device out there, but for a mini PC in this price range, the build quality is more than acceptable.

The rounded edges and smooth sides add to the overall premium feel, and the device sits firmly on your desk without any wobbling. The unit remains solid and stable even when you remove the bottom panel to access the internals (more on that later).

One of the standout features of the EQ14 is its versatile port selection. It packs a surprising amount of connectivity options for such a small device. On the front, you’ll find a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Around the back, things get even better. There are two HDMI 2.0b ports, which means you can connect dual monitors for a more productive setup. You also get two Gigabit Ethernet ports—a rarity in mini PCs at this price point. Rounding out the rear ports are two more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, and the AC power input.

The only real downside here is that the Type-C port doesn’t support DisplayPort or charging, which might be a letdown for some of us. But given the price, it’s hard to complain too much about this omission.

One of the biggest selling points of the EQ14 is its near-silent operation. This mini PC stays cool and quiet even under load thanks to its efficient cooling system. The fan is barely audible, even when you’re pushing the CPU and GPU to their limits. The cooling system is designed to draw air in from the bottom and expel it through the rear vents. This setup works well to keep the internal components cool, and the device never gets uncomfortably hot to the touch. Even during extended use, the EQ14 maintains a stable temperature, which is impressive for such a compact machine.

If you like to tinker with your hardware, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to open up the EQ14. The bottom panel is held in place by four screws, which are hidden under small rubber feet. Once you remove the screws, the panel pops off easily, giving you access to the internals.

Hardware & Performance

At the heart of the Beelink EQ14 is Intel’s Twin Lake N150 processor. This chip is part of Intel’s budget-friendly lineup, and it’s essentially a refreshed version of the popular N100. It’s a 4-core, 4-thread CPU with a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a boost clock of up to 3.6 GHz. While it’s not going to blow anyone away with raw power, it’s designed to handle everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and light multitasking with ease.

The N150 also comes with a 6W TDP (Thermal Design Power), which means it’s incredibly power-efficient. It’s not a chip for heavy workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, but for basic computing needs, it’s more than capable.

For graphics, the EQ14 relies on Intel’s UHD Graphics with 24 execution units (EUs). The GPU can boost up to 1,000 MHz, which is a slight improvement over the N100’s 750 MHz. This means you’ll get a bit more performance in light gaming, video playback, and even some older emulation.

The EQ14 comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM running at 3200 MHz. That’s a decent amount of memory for a budget mini PC, and it should be more than enough for most. However, there’s a catch: the EQ14 only has a single-channel memory configuration. This means the RAM isn’t running in dual-channel mode, which can limit performance in certain tasks, especially those that rely heavily on memory bandwidth. It’s not a dealbreaker for everyday use, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to push the device with more demanding workloads.

For storage, the EQ14 comes with a 512GB M.2 SATA SSD. While SATA SSDs are slower than their NVMe counterparts, they’re still a huge step up from traditional hard drives. You’ll get fast boot times, quick file transfers, and snappy application loading.

But here’s the good news: the EQ14 has two M.2 slots. The included SATA SSD occupies the first slot, but the second slot supports NVMe SSDs with PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds. This means you can easily upgrade your storage down the line if you need more space or faster performance.

When it comes to staying connected, the EQ14 doesn’t disappoint. It comes with Wi-Fi 6 support, which means faster wireless speeds and better performance in crowded networks. It also includes Bluetooth 5.2. The dual Gigabit Ethernet ports are a nice bonus, especially if you’re setting up a small server or need a wired connection for faster speeds.

Performance

For most of us, the Beelink EQ14 will be used for the basics—web browsing, document editing, and multitasking. And here’s the good news: it handles these tasks with ease. The Intel N150 processor may not be a powerhouse, but it’s more than capable of handling everyday computing needs. Paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the EQ14 ensures smooth performance even when you’re juggling multiple applications or browser tabs.

When it comes to web browsing, the EQ14 performs admirably. Pages load quickly, and you can have multiple tabs open without experiencing slowdowns. Even image-heavy websites or those with embedded videos run smoothly, which is a testament to the efficiency of the N150 processor.

For office work, the EQ14 is a reliable companion. Apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint run without any lag, and the dual HDMI ports allow you to connect two monitors for a more productive setup. And if you like to multitask—say, having a few browser tabs open while working on a document or streaming music—the 16GB of RAM ensures that everything runs smoothly.

One area where the EQ14 really shines is media playback. Thanks to the Intel UHD Graphics with 24 execution units, this mini PC can handle 4K video playback without breaking a sweat. I tested 4K video playback on YouTube and Netflix, and the EQ14 handled it effortlessly. The video was crisp, and there were no dropped frames or buffering issues. If you’re using the EQ14 as a home theater PC (HTPC), it’s more than capable of playing 4K videos from an external drive or internal storage.

Light Gaming

Let’s be clear: the Beelink EQ14 isn’t a gaming PC. However, it can handle some light gaming, especially older or less demanding titles. The Intel UHD Graphics with a boost clock of up to 1,000 MHz provides enough power for casual gaming, but don’t expect to run the latest AAA games at high settings.

I tested a few games to see how the EQ14 performs. Titles like Hades and Beach Buggy Racing ran well at lower settings, with frame rates hovering around 30-40 FPS. If you’re into indie games or older titles, the EQ14 can handle them without too much trouble. It won’t deliver a buttery-smooth gaming experience, but it’s more than enough for casual gamers.

The EQ14 can also run emulators for older consoles like the GameCube and PS2. While performance isn’t perfect, it’s good enough for casual gaming. For example, Mario Kart Wii runs smoothly at 720p, though you might experience some frame drops in more demanding games. If you want to relive some classic gaming moments, the EQ14 can handle it, but don’t expect it to run modern titles at high settings.

Benchmarks

To get a better sense of the EQ14’s performance, I ran a few benchmarks. In Cinebench R23, the EQ14 scored 923 points in single-core and 2,824 points in multi-core tests. These scores are slightly better than the N100, but not by a huge margin. In Geekbench 6, the EQ14 scored 1,244 points in single-core performance and 3,000 points in multi-core performance. These results are in line with what you’d expect from a budget mini PC.

For GPU performance, I ran 3DMark Night Raid, and the EQ14 scored 5,292 points. This is a decent result for integrated graphics and confirms that the EQ14 can handle light gaming and media playback. However, it won’t compete with dedicated GPUs or more powerful integrated solutions.

Thermal Performance

The features of the EQ14 are its thermal performance. Even under load, the mini PC stays cool and quiet, thanks to its efficient cooling system. The fan is barely audible, even when you’re pushing the CPU and GPU to their limits.

At idle, the EQ14 stays around 29°C, which is impressively cool. During benchmarks and gaming, temperatures peaked at around 46°C, well within safe limits. The device never gets uncomfortably hot to the touch, even during extended use. This is a testament to the cooling system’s effectiveness, which draws air in from the bottom and expels it through the rear vents.

Power Efficiency

With a 6W TDP, the EQ14 is incredibly power-efficient. This makes it a great option for users who want a PC that doesn’t consume a lot of electricity. At idle, the EQ14 consumes around 10 watts, which is incredibly low. During benchmarks and gaming, power consumption peaked at around 25 watts, which is still very low compared to traditional desktops. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient PC that won’t drive up your electricity bill, the EQ14 is a solid choice.

Software and User Experience

One of the standout features of the Beelink EQ14 is that it comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. This is a big plus, especially for users who don’t want to deal with the hassle of installing an operating system or purchasing a separate license. The installation is clean, with no bloatware or unnecessary software cluttering up the system.

Windows 11 Pro brings a host of features that are particularly useful for productivity, including BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and Hyper-V for virtualization. The interface is smooth and responsive, and the EQ14 handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback without any issues.

Driver Support

The EQ14 has all the necessary drivers pre-installed, so you don’t have to worry about hunting them down after setup. During my testing, I didn’t encounter any major driver issues, and everything worked as expected. The Intel UHD Graphics drivers handled 4K video playback and light gaming without any problems, and the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity were reliable and fast.

That said, there were a few quirks. At the time of testing, the EQ14 was using a beta driver for the Intel UHD Graphics, which occasionally caused the GPU to run at lower clock speeds in some games. A quick reinstall of the driver fixed the issue, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to use the EQ14 for gaming. Beelink has confirmed that updated drivers will be released in the future, which should address these minor issues.

BIOS

For those who like to tinker with their hardware, the EQ14’s BIOS is a pleasant surprise. It’s a full-featured Aptio BIOS that’s not locked down, meaning you can tweak settings to your heart’s content. One of the standout features is the ability to adjust the TDP (Thermal Design Power) of the CPU. By default, the EQ14 is set to a 20W TDP, but you can increase this to 25W for a bit more performance. While the gains are modest, it’s nice to have the option if you need a bit more power for specific tasks. The BIOS also allows you to configure fan settings, though the default configuration works well.

Linux Compatibility

While the EQ14 comes with Windows 11 Pro, it’s also a great option for Linux users. I tested Ubuntu on the EQ14, and it ran smoothly without any major issues. The hardware was fully recognized, and I didn’t encounter any driver problems during my testing. The EQ14’s low power consumption and quiet operation make it a great choice for a Linux-based home server, media center, or development machine.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

After spending time with the Beelink EQ14, it’s clear that this mini PC is a solid contender in the budget-friendly market. It’s not trying to be a powerhouse, and it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it focuses on delivering a reliable, efficient, and affordable computing experience for users who need a compact device for everyday tasks.

The Beelink EQ14 shines in several key areas. First, its compact design and ultra-quiet operation make it a great option for portability and a noise-free environment. Second, the hardware specs are well-suited for its intended use case. The Intel N150 processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM provide enough power for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and media playback. While it’s not designed for heavy workloads or gaming, it easily handles light multitasking and 4K video playback. Including Windows 11 Pro is a nice bonus, and the clean installation ensures a smooth out-of-the-box experience.

While the EQ14 has a lot to offer, it’s not without its limitations. The single-channel DDR4 memory configuration can limit performance in memory-intensive tasks, and the included 512GB M.2 SATA SSD is slower than an NVMe drive. While these are understandable compromises given the price point, they’re worth keeping in mind if you plan to push the device with more demanding workloads. The Intel UHD Graphics can handle light gaming and 4K video playback, but don’t expect it to run modern AAA games or handle intensive graphics tasks.

If you’re in the market for a mini PC that’s small, quiet, and easy on the wallet, the Beelink EQ14 is definitely worth considering. It’s a great example of how a budget device can still deliver on the basics without cutting too many corners. For $200, it’s hard to find a better option in the mini PC space.