4 mini PCs with Intel N150 chips are coming soon

The Intel N150 processor is expected to be a modest update to the popular Intel N100 chip that’s been used in many budget laptops and mini PCs over the past few years. While Intel hasn’t yet officially launched the new processor, at least four PC makers have already introduced upcoming mini PCs that use the new chip.

Asus, Beelink, GM, and SZBOX all plan to offer small desktop computers powered by Intel’s upcoming low-cost, low-power processor.

Like the Intel N100 “Alder Lake-N” processor, the new Intel N150 is expected to be a 6-watt, 4-core, 4-thread processor with Intel integrated graphics. But it’s expected to feature support for CPU frequencies that are up to 200 MHz faster and GPU frequencies up to 250 MHz faster.

The new chip is also expected to be just one of several new budget processors from Intel: others are expected to include the Intel N250 (an update to the 6-watt, 4-core Intel Processor N200) and Intel Core 3 N355 (an updated version of the 15-watt, 8-core Intel Core i3-N305).

It’s not entirely clear what code-name covers the new chips: Beelink refers to them as “Twin Lake,” for example, while GMK calls them “Alder Lake-N.” We’ll probably have to wait for Intel to weigh in before we know for sure.

We already knew that Asus and Beelink were planning to use one or more of these chips for upcoming mini PCs, but new about two more models broke over the weekend. So here’s an overview of some of the first mini PCs sporting Intel N150 chips:

Asus NUC 14 Essential

Seeing as Asus is the company that took over the development, marketing, and distribution of NUC mini PCs from Intel, it’s not surprising that the Asus NUC 14 Essential was one of the first mini PCs announced to feature Intel’s new processor. It was, however, a little surprising that Asus didn’t wait for Intel to make an official announcement before revealing that it’s new 5.3″ x 4.5″ x 1.4″ mini PC would be available with a choice of Intel N150, N250, or Core 3 N355 processors.

The little computer will also be available with a 12-watt, 4-core Intel N97 processor, but that’s not too exciting, as that’s a chip that’s been around for almost two years at this point.

The NUC 14 Essential supports up to 16GB of DDR5-4800 single-channel memory, has a single M.2 2280 slot for PCIe Gen 3 x4 storage, support for WiFi 6E, and a set of ports that includes:

• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps w/DisplayPort 1.4)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps data-only)
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps)
• 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps)
• 1 x HDMI 2.1
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• 1 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet (RTL8125BG-CG)
• 1 x 3.5mm audio
• 1 x DC power input (19V/3.42A, 65W)

Asus says it supports up to three displays simultaneously, and in addition to offering a fully assembled version of the NUC 14 the company plans to offer an NUC 14 Essential Board without a chassis.

Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet.

Beelink EQ14

The Beelink EQ14 is the latest in a line of EQ series mini PCs from the company that feature an integrated power supply – which means you don’t need a power adapter to plug the computer into a wall outlet. All you need is a compact power cable.

This mini PC has a single SODIMM slot for DDR4-3200 single-channel memory and two M.2 2280 slots for storage. One is a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot while the other only supports PCIe 3.0 x1.

Ports include:

• 2 x HDMI
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
• 3 x USB .2 Gen 2 Type-A
• 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 2 x Gigabit Ethernet
• 1 x 3.5mm audio

The computer measures 126 x 126 x 39mm (4.96″ x 4.96″ x 1.54″) and supports Wake on LAN and auto power on functionality.

This model is already available from AliExpress with prices starting at $189 for a model with 16GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD and an EU power plug. Customers in the US might want to wait until the system’s available from Amazon, which is showing a $229 price for a similar configuration.

GMK NucBox G3 Plus

Mini PC maker GMK’s new NucBox G3 Plus is already available for purchase from GMKte.com, and it’s the most customizable model so far, as its available with a choice of a green or grey chassis and comes in four configurations:

• Barebones (no memory, storage, or OS) for $126
•  8GB RAM / 256GB SSD for $160
• 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD for $190
• 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD for for $230

Note that these prices appear to be part of a launch and/or Black Friday sale, and represent discounts of $30 to $90 off the suggested retail prices, depending on the model. I’d also expect prices to be a little higher at other stores – many Chinese mini PC makers offer lower prices when you order directly from their own websites… but you typically get better customer service and return policies when you buy from Amazon or some other third-party retailers.

Under the hood, the NucBox G3 Plus features a single SODIMM slot with support for up to 32GB of DDR4-3200 memory and two M.2 slots: one M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 and one M.2 2242 (unspecified)

Ports include:

• 2 x HDMI 2.0
• 2 x 2.5 GbE LAN
• 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A
• 1 x 3.5mm audio
• 1 x DC power input (12V/3A)

The NucBox G3 Plus supports WIFi 6 BT and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity.

SZBOX GK3V Pro

The SZBOX GK3V Pro appears to be the most affordable Intel N150-powered mini PC available so far: It’s available from AliExpress with prices starting at $130 for a model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

This little computer measures 130 x 130 x 47.5mm (5.12″ x 5.12″ x 1.87″) and it’s the only model I’ve seen so far with a SATA interface and room for a 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD as well as an M.2 2280 slot for solid state storage.

It supports up to 16GB of DDR4-2600 memory and has a set of ports that includes:

• 2x HDMI 2.0
• 1 x VGA
• 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A
• 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
• 1 x LAN (unspecified)
• 1 x 3.5mm audio
• 1 x DC power input

The SZBOX GK3V Pro also supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

via AndroidTVBox, FanlessTech, MiniMachines, and wccftech