Welcome back to Jim’s Garage! Today, we’re diving into the world of compact computing with an exciting look at the Mele Quieter 4C. This device features the new Intel N150 processor, a successor to the much-loved N100, and is designed to be an efficient, low-power option for home lab enthusiasts.
The Mele Quieter 4C is remarkably small, similar in size to a Raspberry Pi, yet it offers significantly more capabilities. With its four-core processor, DDR5 RAM, and an NVMe drive, this mini PC provides expansion options that are hard to find in its competitors. In this article, we’ll explore the device’s features, performance benchmarks, and how it stacks up against its rivals.
Device Overview
The Mele Quieter 4C is designed as a low-powered computing solution with a thermal design power (TDP) of just 6 watts. Although TDP figures can be misleading, this device’s energy efficiency is a significant selling point. Its compact form factor allows it to fit almost anywhere, making it an attractive option for those looking to create a home lab without taking up too much space.
What sets the Mele apart from similar devices, however, is its ability to run popular x86 applications, which opens the door for various uses, including media servers and lightweight application hosting.
Competing Devices
To provide a fair assessment, we must also consider competing products. One of the standout competitors is the Beink EQ14, which shares the same Intel N150 processor but offers some distinct advantages:
- 500 GB of storage
- 16 GB of DDR4 RAM
- Dual NICs and dual NVMe support
- Lower price point of around $199
The Beink model offers more flexibility with upgradable RAM, making it a compelling choice for users looking to customize their setup. In contrast, the Mele Quieter 4C is priced around $400, which positions it as a less attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Build Quality and Design
When examining the build quality, the Mele Quieter 4C feels solid and well-constructed, boasting a primarily metal design. The device is compact, making it easy to integrate into various environments. Its ports include:
- Two USB 3.0 ports
- One USB 2.0 port
- USB-C with DisplayPort out
- Headphone and microphone jacks
- SD card reader
- Two HDMI ports
- 1 GB Realtek NIC
This range of connectivity options adds to its versatility, particularly for users looking to set up a mini home lab.
Performance Testing
During testing, the Mele Quieter 4C exhibited some impressive performance metrics. When running benchmarks such as Cinebench R24, the device achieved a multicore score of around 134 points, placing it in the mid-range of expectations for an entry-level CPU. The temperatures remained manageable, peaking at 82°C during intense tasks, which is acceptable for a passively cooled system.
While performing drive speed tests, the NVMe drive delivered up to 3.5 GB/s on sequential reads. However, it was noted that under heavy workloads, temperatures could rise significantly, potentially leading to thermal throttling in warm environments.
Home Lab Capabilities
One of the most exciting aspects of the Mele Quieter 4C is its potential as a mini home lab server. Users can deploy applications such as Jellyfin for media streaming, making it a great option for transcoding tasks. In tests, the GPU was effectively utilized for transcoding without putting excessive strain on the CPU, showcasing the device’s efficiency in handling multimedia tasks.
Setting up a home lab with the Mele is straightforward, as it can run Docker containers and other virtualized environments. This makes it an appealing choice for developers and tech enthusiasts looking to experiment with lightweight applications.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mele Quieter 4C is a well-built, compact PC that offers a range of features for users interested in low-power computing. However, when compared to the Beink EQ14, the Mele’s higher price and limited upgrade options make it less appealing. For those on a budget or looking for maximum value, the Beink model is hard to beat. Nevertheless, the Mele Quieter 4C has its merits and could be a suitable choice for specific use cases in the realm of home labs. What are your thoughts on the Mele Quieter 4C? Let us know in the comments below!
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