Beelink Launches First Wildcat Lake Mini PCs: Intel 18A and Core 3 304 Bring AI to Compact Desktops

The processor uses an asymmetric hybrid core design. Official specifications confirm a 5-core, 5-thread layout: one Cougar Cove performance core and four Darkmont low-power efficient cores. The P-core base frequency is 1.5 GHz with a maximum turbo of 4.3 GHz, while the low-power cores range from 1.4 GHz base to 3.3 GHz turbo.

On the graphics and AI side, the SoC incorporates integrated Xe3-LPG graphics and a dedicated NPU. Detailed reports indicate the GPU provides one Xe3 core clocked up to 2.3 GHz, contributing around 9 TOPS, while the NPU, based on Intel's NPU 5 architecture, delivers up to 15 TOPS. Power is kept in check with a 15W processor base power rating and a maximum turbo power of 35W.

Intel's own specifications list further details, including 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache, support for up to 64 GB of DDR5-6400 memory, and a TDP range spanning 15W to 35W. The processor also supports the DL Boost instruction set and multiple AI software frameworks including OpenVINO, WindowsML, DirectML, and ONNX RT.

Performance claims, not yet independently verified: Beelink's launch materials assert that the Core 3 304 delivers a 120% improvement in single-core CPU performance and a 60% improvement in multi-core performance compared to the Alder Lake-N Core i3-N305. These numbers are vendor-supplied and have not been confirmed by independent testing at the time of writing. The chip's combined GPU and NPU output is rated at 24 TOPS of hybrid AI performance, according to Beelink.

How the Three Beelink Models Differ

All three devices share a common core specification: the Intel Core 3 304 processor, board-mounted UFS 3.1 storage, at least dual USB4 40 Gbps ports, and a 10 GbE wired network port. From that shared foundation, Beelink differentiates each model by design and networking.

EQ mini

The most compact option in the lineup, the EQ mini is designed as a lightweight AI desktop for minimalist offices. It carries the standard connectivity of dual USB4 and 10 GbE, with an internal 45W power supply. This model appears aimed at users who want a small, simple desktop for AI-assisted office work without extra networking needs.

EQi

The EQi steps up with an additional 2.5 GbE network port alongside the standard 10 GbE connection, making it better suited for soft routing and light productivity tasks. It also includes a larger 85W internal power supply. For users running home server software, virtualized routing, or needing dual-network flexibility in a small form factor, the EQi is the direct upgrade from the EQ mini.

ME Pro

Targeted specifically at network-attached storage, the ME Pro also gets the dual 10 GbE + 2.5 GbE network configuration. Chinese-language launch coverage notes that it includes dual 3.5-inch drive bays, although English-language materials from the same announcement do not yet confirm bay counts. The ME Pro is positioned as Beelink's dedicated NAS device, differentiating it from the general-purpose EQ mini and EQi.

What This Launch Means for the Industry

Beelink's aggressive, multi-category rollout brings several signals for the broader computing market.

Intel 18A is now in consumer hands. Beelink is the first brand to deploy Wildcat Lake across three distinct product categories simultaneously — mini PCs and a NAS — which validates that 18A silicon is ready for mainstream, affordable systems rather than just premium flagships.

AI hardware is becoming standard, not optional. Even at the entry-level Core 3 tier, the Core 3 304 ships with an integrated NPU and Xe3 graphics aimed at local AI workloads. The combination of a dedicated NPU plus GPU AI capabilities in a low-power, 15W chip signals that on-device AI processing is moving from premium Ultra notebooks down to compact desktops and home servers.

Performance leaps in low-power computing are real — but unverified. The claimed 120% single-core and 60% multi-core gains over the Core i3-N305 represent the most aggressive performance leap in this power envelope in years. While Geekbench leaks and industry early coverage suggest genuine architectural improvements, these claims should be treated cautiously until independent testing confirms them across sustained workloads and real-world thermal conditions.

The mini PC and NAS categories are converging. By placing the same processor into two mini PCs and a NAS, Beelink is betting that home lab users, content creators, and office workers all want AI-capable silicon in machines of varying shapes and network configurations. The strategy blurs the line between traditional desktop mini PCs and dedicated storage appliances, suggesting we'll see more brands follow suit.