The Beelink Me Pro NAS was reviewed by a user with extensive experience with various NAS devices, including Synology, Thecus, and QNAP. The device is noted for its remarkably small form factor and sturdy construction, being made entirely of rigid aluminum with minimal decorative accents. Unlike many purpose-built NAS devices that feature streamlined, Linux-based operating systems, the Beelink Me Pro operates as a full-featured mini-PC running Windows 11.
In terms of connectivity, the unit is highly equipped, featuring Wi-Fi 6 (MediaTek), Bluetooth 5.4, and multiple high-speed ports, including USB-A and USB-C ports (up to 10Gbps). Ethernet connectivity is robust, including a 5Gb Realtek controller and an Intel 2.5Gb controller. Internally, the Beelink Me Pro provides two 3.5-inch SATA drive bays (also compatible with 2.5-inch drives) and three M.2 NVMe slots, one of which is a PCIe Gen 3 x 2 slot, and two are PCIe Gen 3 x 1 slots.
The device’s thermal design includes thermal pads on each drive tray to aid heat transfer and minimize vibration. Power consumption was monitored with WD Red 22TB drives striped in RAID 0, with maximum power consumption remaining just over 44 watts, even while running a high-resolution video and a sequential write benchmark. This low power draw allows the device and internal drives to be cooled by a single fan that draws air over the SoC and exhausts it out the back, remaining essentially inaudible.
The Beelink Me Pro offers an excellent combination of build quality, small size, feature set, and connectivity. Its ability to run Windows 11 makes it highly configurable and compatible with a wide range of applications, including cloud storage clients and media services. However, running Windows complicates the setup process compared to devices with customized operating systems.
When considering cost, the Beelink Me Pro is noted to be $100 – $150 more expensive than basic 2-bay NAS boxes. Despite the higher price, the value provided by the build quality, compact design, and the included Windows 11 license is considered a significant plus for those who intend to display the device in a visible area.
The reviewer recommends the Beelink Me Pro for users seeking a 2-bay NAS that also functions as a full PC, noting that the current configuration tested (Intel N95 / 12GB / 512GB SSD) sells for approximately $460.
Source: HotHardware