$200 All-NVMe Mini NAS? Beelink ME Mini Tested! + TrueNAS Setup

Summary

In this detailed review, CJ from Elevated Systems unboxes and explores the Beink ME Mini, a compact NAS device that impresses with its minimalist design and robust performance. Powered by an Intel N150 processor and featuring six M.2 slots for up to 24 TB of storage, it offers a strong balance of power efficiency, expandability, and cooling. CJ demonstrates the easy setup process, including the installation of TrueNAS Community Edition, followed by a thorough performance test. Despite some challenges with Windows 11, the ME Mini delivers strong performance, low power consumption, and quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for home storage solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Beink ME Mini is a compact NAS device with a clean, minimalist design, reminiscent of Apple products, but with unique functionality.
• 😀 It features six M.2 2280 slots for full-size NVME SSDs, offering expandable storage up to 24TB.
• 😀 Powered by Intel's Twin Lake N150 processor, the ME Mini has a 4-core, 4-thread architecture with a max boost clock of 3.6 GHz, and 12 GB of LP DDR5 RAM.
• 😀 The device includes dual 2.5Gb LAN ports, HDMI 2.0 for 4K support, and multiple USB 3.2 ports for high-speed connectivity.
• 😀 The ME Mini uses a large internal aluminum heat sink to manage thermal dissipation across SSDs and the processor.
• 😀 Setting up the ME Mini is simple, with easy access to the M.2 slots and a straightforward process for installing SSDs and the operating system.
• 😀 The unit ships with Windows 11 pre-installed, but there were setup issues during testing. The device can also be set up with True NAS Community Edition for more flexible NAS functionality.
• 😀 The ME Mini's compact form factor makes it an ideal low-power, quiet NAS solution with minimal noise even under load.
• 😀 The system supports RAID configurations for data redundancy or performance, though any RAID setup will need to be handled by software since there's no onboard RAID controller.
• 😀 Power efficiency is a highlight, with idle power consumption at just 10 watts and peak usage around 14 watts while handling video streaming and data access simultaneously.

Q & A

What was the initial impression of the Beink ME Mini upon unboxing?

The initial impression was that it looked like an Apple product, with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that gives off a strong, matte studio vibe.

What is the unique feature of the Beink ME Mini's design?

The Beink ME Mini stands out for its six M.2 slots capable of housing full-size 2280 NVMe SSDs, making it a compact yet powerful NAS device.

How does the Beink ME Mini compare to other mini PCs or NAS devices?

The Beink ME Mini is a more refined execution of the mini NAS concept compared to similar devices like the GMK Tech Nookbox G9, as it offers a better balance of engineering, functionality, and design.

What are the specifications of the Beink ME Mini in terms of processor and memory?

The Beink ME Mini is powered by an Intel Twin Lake N150 processor, a four-core, four-thread chip with a base power of 6W and a boost clock of 3.6 GHz. It comes with 12 GB of LP DDR5 memory running at 4,800 MHz.

What is the total storage capacity that the Beink ME Mini can support?

The Beink ME Mini can support up to 24 TB of storage, with six M.2 slots capable of holding up to 4 TB SSDs each.

What types of connectivity does the Beink ME Mini provide?

The device offers dual 2.5 gigabit LAN ports, one HDMI 2.0 port supporting 4K at 60 Hz, USB 2.0, and 10 Gbit per second USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, along with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

How is the Beink ME Mini powered?

The Beink ME Mini has an internal 45-watt power supply and uses a standard AC power cable, meaning no external brick or barrel jack is required.

How is the cooling system of the Beink ME Mini designed?

The ME Mini uses an internal large aluminum heat sink for cooling, with a single top-mounted fan that pulls air from the bottom and sides of the unit and exhausts it through the top.

What issues were encountered during the setup of Windows 11 on the Beink ME Mini?

The Windows 11 setup process froze at a specific point during installation, making the OS non-functional. This issue was unresolved at the time of filming, though the reviewer reached out to Beink for clarification.

What NAS operating system was installed on the Beink ME Mini for the review?

The reviewer replaced the Windows 11 installation with TrueNAS Community Edition (formerly TrueNAS Scale) for setting up the NAS functionality.

What are the performance results for the Beink ME Mini's NAS functionality?

Performance tests showed that sequential read and write speeds reached around 233 MB/s, with real-world file transfers averaging 100-177 MB/s depending on the operation. The ME Mini was noted for its low power consumption (10W idle, 14W under load) and minimal noise levels.