Beelink Mini PC SER5 5850U AMD Ryzen 7 Processor(8C/16T, up to 4.4GHz), Micro Computer 32GB DDR4 500GB NVMe SSD, Mini Computer Triple Display HDMI/DP/Type-C/4K 60Hz/WiFi6/BT5.2/Home/Office/HTPC

Everything I wanted it to be, price is fair
I wanted to stop relying on my laptop to run my home setup and get a small form factor box on the desk with my 2 24″ monitors, each is 1920 x 1080. I decided to buy this hoping it would run GTA IV and RDR which just game out but is an older game. It runs these fine and more!This is fast for everything I do which include personal writing, record keeping and entertainment.Games like GTA IV, Red Dead Redemption, etc run at over 60 fps at 1980 x 1080. I do not have a 4k monitor. Runs very smooth.GTA V and RDR 2 at 1920 x 1080 on high or very high and high run at 45 fps to 65 fps, and are very fluid. You won’t get all the details but you get what you need for the fun of the game.SpiderMan remastered doesn’t show fps but is also very fluid and has the fps you need to enjoy the game.This is stunning performance for an all in one chip and shows how far the technology has come in the last ten years when running a chrome browser was a challenge.I have not heard fan noise.

It can run LM Studio and several versions of Llama 3.0!
I had hoped it would run some smaller uncensored versions of Llama 3.0, and it does, using LM-Studio! Get the 64 GB of RAM. LM-Studio will run on many older desktops and laptops but it’s very slow. On this PC it is very quick and robust. The version of Windows 11 Pro is a bit stripped down and it took many updates to catch up. I recommend users make a backup 1st thing. I also advise that users download the Windows 11 USB updater from Microsoft. It is free and it can restore a damaged or incomplete Windows installation. When I installed iTunes my PC would not boot but the Windows tool repaired my installation and saved my files. It also updated the original Win11 installation to include some things that were missing without having to completely reset the PC and start from scratch, which is not advised. Other than that, I’m very happy with my purchase. I own several Beelink mini PCs and this one is the best yet.

I like the little space it takes
Interesting machine to work quietly with Photoshop, Lightroom and Indesing, move files with good speed.

INSECURE!!!
These computers are sold with “non-production” factory test platform keys for their secure boot functionality. This breach of supply chain was recently labeled “PKFail” and is listed in CVE-2024-8105. You can tell by looking at the platform key and it is says “DO NOT TRUST – AMI Test PK” in the bios under secure boot platform key, YOU ARE OPEN TO MALICIOUS CODE!Anyone can bypass the secure boot functionality and install malicious code.I would return, but I’m outside the return window. Dont waste your money!

Worked seamlessly with Ubuntu Server and every service utility installed.

A pesar de su tamaño supero mis espectativas, funciona muy bien, y lo mejor es que no ocupa mucho espacio.

This is my first AMD machine, and I was a bit nervous about switching from an Intel processor (I use VMWare). I initially planned to get a mini PC with an Intel processor. But I found out about known heat dissipation issues with Intel and was told AMD handles it better, especially in mini PCs. Also, the price (i.e., SER7 on a promotion) was almost half the price of the Intel mini PC (i9 13th Gen) I was going to get. If you are short on cash, get the SER7 since the performance is almost identical (don’t get fooled by the seller’s description and check real reviews on YouTube). I personally prefer the SER7 to the SER8. However, the front USB-C port on the SER7 was dropping data transfer and finally gave up. The suggested troubleshooting methods did not work, and Beelink offered a $30 discount instead of sending me a replacement (they told me to use the USB-C ports from the back, but my application needs the front one since my setup makes it difficult to access the rear end). That’s why I gave them only four stars. Luckily, I was still in the return period, and that’s why I got the SER8 instead ($100 more on a promotion at that time) and it’s been doing pretty good. A few tips to set up your pc… 1. Setting up Windows is a lot simpler locally without the internet (don’t turn on WiFi and no internet cable). You can add your OneDrive account later. 2. Once the local account is set up, check if Windows 11 is missing some basic applications (i.e., MS Store, Notepad, etc. Happened to me on the SER7). The simplest way to fix the issue is to reset the OS (search for “Reset this PC” from the taskbar search box) before you do anything else. Because it is a fresh machine, it does not take too long. Remind you, you will have to set up the OS again after reset. 3. Connect to the internet, check Windows updates. 4. There is an AMD software management icon in the system tray. Launch it and check updates (There are more settings to customize if you are a gamer).Frankly, I had never heard about Beelink before until I started checking out reviews on mini PCs. Their response time is very fast (usually in a few hours) compared to other sellers on Amazon. This is the main reason why I decided to get one from Beelink. Also, I was told they have been manufacturing mini PCs for a while and are known for installing clean Windows OS. Here is my comparison of SER7 vs. SER8 based on my experience. By the way, Beelink has multiple listings for the same model on Amazon, and the prices vary. So, do your own research to get the best deal and double-check all the ports to ensure they work properly. What I can tell you is that SER7/SER8 is the best bang for the buck, and you won’t be disappointed with the performance. I don’t play games so can’t comment on that.SER7 Pros:Compact sizeSolid feel metal mesh case with a cool designExternal ports feel sturdier than SER8Easier access to install 2nd M.2 SSD (the slot is right under the bottom cover)Two USB4 portsAn extra slot to install 2.5 HDDCons:Lack of USB-A ports at the backRequires more work to get to the main M.2 SSD and RAM slots than SER8Wiggly magnetic power cable connectorHanged a few times during multitasking (this may be resolved by turning on Best Performance mode under Power Mode. Default is set to Balanced)SER8 Pros:A lot easier access to M.2 SSD and RAM slots than SER7A normal power cable portTwo USB-A (2.0) ports at the back (This is a trade-off with only one USB4 port. For me, it works better because I plug in two USB dongles for a keyboard and a mouse)Quieter fan than SER7 (I thought SER7 was very quiet, but I can barely notice if the fan is on)Cons:Not fond of the plain-looking aluminum case, which can get scratched easilyFour rubber feet to open the bottom cover (It could be a pain to take them out if you don’t have the right tool)# UPDATE #I have been using the SER8 over two months now, and its performance has been solid. In contrast, the SER7 froze a few times while running multiple VMs. For me, spending an extra $100 on the SER8 was worth it.