A Compact Powerhouse, But Does It Justify the Hype?
The Beelink GTR7 Pro has been generating a lot of buzz for its compact size and powerful internals, but is this mini PC truly the best solution for your computing needs? This review breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of the Beelink GTR7 Pro based on my hands-on testing to help you decide whether it's worth your investment.
Design and Build Quality: Compact, But Slightly Uninspired
The Beelink GTR7 Pro boasts a compact, minimalist design
that fits well in tight spaces, but the build feels somewhat generic compared
to competitors like the Intel NUC 13 Pro.
While the aluminum chassis gives it a sturdy feel, the
overall design lacks the premium touches found in higher-end models.
Performance: Strong, But Not Without Its Limits
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS and integrated Radeon 780M
GPU, this mini PC delivers solid multitasking performance, handling
productivity tasks and light gaming with ease.
However, when compared to the Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro, the
GTR7 Pro’s CPU occasionally stumbles in heavy video rendering, making it less
ideal for power users in creative industries.
Thermal Management: Adequate, But Can Get Loud
Under full load, the GTR7 Pro stays within acceptable
temperature ranges, thanks to its decent cooling system, but it comes at the
cost of noise.
In comparison, the HP Z2 Mini G9 manages to balance cooling
and noise levels better, offering quieter performance for users who demand a
near-silent work environment.
Ports and Connectivity: Versatile, But Slightly Underwhelming
The Beelink GTR7 Pro provides a generous range of ports,
including dual HDMI, multiple USB ports, and a 2.5G Ethernet port, but it lacks
Thunderbolt 4 support, which is becoming more standard in mini PCs like the
Intel NUC series.
This omission may limit its appeal to those needing faster
data transfers or more advanced connectivity options.
Gaming and Graphics: Not Quite There for Hardcore Gamers
While the integrated Radeon 780M GPU handles casual gaming
and 1080p games at medium settings well, it struggles with more demanding AAA
titles.
In this regard, it lags behind the MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G,
which comes equipped with a dedicated Radeon RX 6600M, making it a stronger
choice for gamers looking for serious performance in a small form factor.
Storage and Upgradeability: Sufficient, But Limited by Cost
With a 1TB NVMe SSD and 32GB of RAM (expandable to 64GB),
the GTR7 Pro offers decent storage and upgrade potential, but upgrading the RAM
or storage can quickly inflate the total cost.
Competitors like the ASUS ROG Strix G15 provide a more
budget-friendly upgrade path without as sharp a price increase for higher-end
configurations.
Software Experience: Mostly Smooth, But Minor Glitches
The GTR7 Pro runs smoothly on Windows 11, with fast boot
times and responsive navigation across applications.
However, there were occasional glitches when switching
between high-demand programs, something I didn’t experience as frequently on
the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Tiny, which offers a more polished software
experience in an enterprise setting.
Power Consumption: Efficient, But Could Be Better
For a mini PC with this level of power, the GTR7 Pro is
surprisingly energy-efficient, even when under load.
However, when stacked against the Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro,
which is both more powerful and more power-efficient, the GTR7 Pro’s energy
performance feels a bit dated.
Value for Money: Questionable, Given the Competition
While the GTR7 Pro offers solid performance in most areas,
its higher price point feels slightly unjustified when compared to other mini
PCs that provide more bang for your buck.
For instance, the Geekom Mini IT11 offers similar
performance for office tasks at a lower price, making it a more attractive
option for budget-conscious buyers.
Conclusion: A Powerful Mini PC with Room for Improvement
The Beelink GTR7 Pro offers strong performance, ample ports,
and decent cooling, but it falls short in areas like gaming performance and
overall value for money.
For users seeking a compact powerhouse for general
computing, it’s a good option, but those looking for a silent performer or
better gaming capabilities may want to look elsewhere.
Pros:
- Compact
design, great for limited spaces
- Strong
multitasking performance
- Plenty
of connectivity options
Cons:
- Noisy
under heavy loads
- Subpar
gaming performance compared to similarly priced models
- Higher
price without Thunderbolt support
Recommended Alternative: If you need better gaming performance or a more balanced mini PC, consider the MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G, which offers a dedicated GPU and quieter operation, making it a more compelling option for power users.
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