Beelink Mini S12 Pro Mini PC: Intel 12th Gen N100, 16GB DDR4, 500GB SSD

Sellhunter

Aug 23, 2023 5:49 PM

44 Comments

Joined Nov 2020

SellhunterAug 23, 2023 5:49 PM

44 Comments

Quote from RulzMD

:

I have 3 of these machine for the office, they work tremendously well for it. Office/Excel/Browser. Super fast and clean, just BE AWARE to re-install windows.

These machine comes with a default windows 11/10 but there is a software that comes with it, that you can see it under START UP services. I forgot the name but please make sure you reinstall windows.

Hi RulzMD,
This is my first time looking into this type of unit. What do you mean do a clean Windows reinstall? Will i have to buy a windows 11 or 10 program or is there a windows key included?

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juan003

Aug 23, 2023 6:24 PM

211 Comments

Joined Nov 2011

juan003Aug 23, 2023 6:24 PM

211 Comments

Quote from OrangeSnake211

:

Please see my statement above

I have no experience with any Windows 11 installers made by "some guy on the internet, nor would I feel comfortable installing any operating system found on the internet.

Microsoft makes its Windows installers widely available for everyone to download and install. Google Windows USB Media Creation Tool and it will link you to the Microsoft site to get it.

If you hand built a custom PC, the Windows activation servers will not recognize that specific hardware profile and prompt you to enter a valid product key as it wasn't not an OEM product where the manufacturer had licensed the Windows installation.

It is not exactly a specific numeric product key per se. It is composed of the manufacturer's hardware profile that the Windows activation servers recognize. So if you drastically upgrade the components of your OEM PC it may fail the activation server's query some day.

Once your Windows installation has been activated, the Windows activation servers has a snapshot of your system's components for a "profile". So from there on, anytime you re-install Windows it is glad to see you again and activate your freshly installed Windows OS.

Without knowing if your custom built PC motherboard's manufacturer has purchased a Windows license, probably both system's hardware profile was similar enough to "fool" the Windows activation server. Perhaps you re-used the same gaming card on both rigs?

As to the naming of the PC, you probably named the PC the same name during the Windows installation and was not aware of it. When Windows self installs, it usually just gives it a random alpha-numeric ID and that you can change later via Computer Properties. It never gives it a specific computer name. Naming is for humans to identify, computers can care less, you are just a MAC address, an IP address, and a unique hardware profile token.

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lilsip

Aug 23, 2023 6:51 PM

87 Comments

Joined Jun 2020

lilsipAug 23, 2023 6:51 PM

87 Comments

Does anyone have experience running emulators on this? I am not expecting much for gaming performance, its a freaking celeron... but I wonder about GBA, DS and GameCube emulation.

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Samuel1613

Aug 23, 2023 6:55 PM

2.7K Comments

Joined Jun 2005

Samuel1613Aug 23, 2023 6:55 PM

2.7K Comments

Quote from saiga6360

:

I'll just state the obvious (no offense) that your footprint gets slightly bigger by adding a monitor, keyboard and mice with possibly a bunch of wires on the desk. If that's not a deal breaker then the performance you will get for such tasks will be more than adequate. I would buy these for student computers in a lab if I can find a good way to secure them. Small things tend to walk away I'm afraid.

It looks like they have a security hole in back (you should confirm). If so you could use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S3FPWH

Last edited by nhbrsx August 25, 2023 at 10:22 PM.

1

Samuel1613

Aug 23, 2023 6:58 PM

2.7K Comments

Joined Jun 2005

Samuel1613Aug 23, 2023 6:58 PM

2.7K Comments

Quote from SeriesXM

:

Thank you for this comment. I've been looking for something to run my own Plex server, but wasn't sure if these little PCs would be sufficient.

I use a shield pro to run my plex server, works great for me, but they are probably nearly identical for that.

1

ordmaster

Aug 23, 2023 7:35 PM

528 Comments

Joined Sep 2003

ordmasterAug 23, 2023 7:35 PM

528 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from android

:

Because I prefer to use external keyboard and mouse even with a laptop, and since 15.6 led monitors only cost $80 and weigh less than 2 lbs, as long as the beelink weighs less than a pound, I get a powerful computer that weighs less than 3lbs, and costs less than $300. This doesn't exist in a laptop.

I learned not to ask too many questions if you can simply answer them
Just weighed mine and It's 9.41 OZ

You're Welcome!

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CESEGO

Aug 23, 2023 7:48 PM

71 Comments

Joined Jul 2014

CESEGOAug 23, 2023 7:48 PM

71 Comments

Does anyone know if this will run Bluestacks smoothly? I don't want it for gaming I want to run a video streaming android app.

DanzoMeteor

Aug 23, 2023 8:30 PM

89 Comments

Joined Dec 2011

DanzoMeteorAug 23, 2023 8:30 PM

89 Comments

Quote from GoWhiteSox

:

I'm looking for something around $100 to run Batocera, is this good or is there a cheaper option?

U can run Batocera, but according to tests, anything XBox quality and above is too difficult for this kind of box https://docs.google.com/spreadshe...edit#gid=0

protocol7

Aug 23, 2023 10:45 PM

260 Comments

Joined Aug 2011

protocol7Aug 23, 2023 10:45 PM

260 Comments

Quote from passive101

:

Where is the windows key in case the OS is damaged or you upgrade the storage?

It should be embedded in the BIOS. Well, not usually the key itself, but enough information that they can uniquely tie the Windows 11 license to the machine (motherboard mostly) and activate it from that information. They've been doing it with laptops for a while now as well, you don't really get a product key in the box anymore.

Lilyly

Aug 23, 2023 10:47 PM

16.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2019

LilylyAug 23, 2023 10:47 PM

16.3K Comments

Quote from ihatemyhonda

:

Can I use this to play games?

why not? you can play minecraft game even on win3.1

1

geekwithoutacause

Aug 23, 2023 10:50 PM

4.5K Comments

Joined Jul 2005

geekwithoutacauseAug 23, 2023 10:50 PM

4.5K Comments

Quote from protocol7

:

It should be embedded in the BIOS. Well, not usually the key itself, but enough information that they can uniquely tie the Windows 11 license to the machine (motherboard mostly) and activate it from that information. They've been doing it with laptops for a while now as well, you don't really get a product key in the box anymore.

NO THERE IS NOT. This machine will NOT re-activate with a clean windows install. You need to contact beelink. It does NOT WORK that way on this machine.

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Lilyly

Aug 23, 2023 10:51 PM

16.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2019

LilylyAug 23, 2023 10:51 PM

16.3K Comments

Quote from jesusffs

:

Wow I'm amazed that this is getting so many eyeballs and presumably therefore so many sales.... this CPU is not great, and while it's only $100 I really think the value is not there. Compare a VERY old quadcore like an i5-8350U and you're going to get nearly the exact same compute speeds! These older 8th gen quadcores can be found for $50-100 regularly, I'm sure someone will chime in that the memory is a bit faster for this 12th gen but I would really standby my assertion that performance will be on par with a CPU like I referenced from 2017.

My recommendation: continually search the Amazon warehouse for similarly priced PC NUC's, or check Ebay. I call this a NON-DEAL!

what $100? the cpu only or the whole system?

yeah. my call is to keep searching goodwill stores or even your next door trash can. you can get cheaper stuff that way. used btw. not brand new like this.

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passive101

Aug 23, 2023 10:55 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Apr 2015

passive101Aug 23, 2023 10:55 PM

1.8K Comments

Quote from protocol7

:

It should be embedded in the BIOS. Well, not usually the key itself, but enough information that they can uniquely tie the Windows 11 license to the machine (motherboard mostly) and activate it from that information. They've been doing it with laptops for a while now as well, you don't really get a product key in the box anymore.

What happens when windows 12 comes out and you want a clean install?

1

deals4dads

Aug 23, 2023 11:11 PM

2.6K Comments

Joined Jul 2003

deals4dadsAug 23, 2023 11:11 PM

2.6K Comments

Quote from Lilyly

:

what $100? the cpu only or the whole system?

yeah. my call is to keep searching goodwill stores or even your next door trash can. you can get cheaper stuff that way. used btw. not brand new like this.

I cited Amazon Warehouse, where I regularly see 8th gen CPU's in PC NUC's with the same specs for this price. Another great option that's much better and from an excellent manufacturer with good build quality is ThinkCentre tiny PC's with T-series CPU's. Or go the Ryzen route and get a ThinkCentre m75q and you'll be much happier in the long run...

I never said anything about Goodwill or trash cans, way to debate using straw man. Where is your hardware expertise, I don't see any being displayed!

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Beelink Mini S12 Pro Mini PC: Intel 12th Gen N100, 16GB DDR4, 500GB SSD

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