PELADN WO4 review: When a mini PC gets the fundamentals right

Price When Reviewed

$499.99

Best Prices Today: PELADN WO4

PELADN is one other mini PC producer from the Far East. At the time of testing, 26 fashions with Intel and AMD processors have been listed in its own EU shop, though not all of them can be found.

Some of PELADN’s minis are additionally accessible on Amazon, together with the WO4 examined right here with AMD Ryzen 7640HS and Radeon 760M graphics. We put this attractively priced mannequin via its paces.

Design and workmanship

My first impression of the PELADN WO4 was that it’s cool and high-quality. The steel alloy casing not solely appears sturdy, but additionally helps warmth dissipation. The scratch-resistant floor feels silky and resists fingerprints surprisingly nicely. Compared to high-gloss fashions such because the Acemagic M1, it is a clear benefit in on a regular basis use.

Christoph Hoffmann

There has been an thrilling pattern on the earth of ultra-compact computer systems for a number of months now: Devices usually are not solely turning into sooner, but additionally simpler to take care of. While opponents such because the Geekom A7 Max or the Acemagic M1 depend on a closed unibody design, which requires laboriously eradicating the rubber ft and loosening screws for upgrades, the PELADN WO4 takes a way more user-friendly method.

Similar to the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the quilt on the highest of the case may be lifted with out instruments, giving easy accessibility to the slots for 2 RAM modules and two NVMe SSDs. Despite this flexibility, the quilt sits rock-solid when closed, with nothing rattling or feeling unstable.

Christoph Hoffmann

With dimensions of roughly 5 × 5 × 2 inches (width × depth × peak) and a weight of round 1.21 kilos, the WO4 is considerably extra compact than comparable units such because the Geekom A7 Max or the Miniforums AI X1 Pro. This permits it to be flexibly positioned on a desk, in the lounge, or at a house workplace workstation. The included VESA mount additionally permits for space-saving attachment on to the again of the monitor.

The cooling system of the PELADN WO4, known as “FrostCool,” depends on a classy two-fan idea, setting it aside from the usually undersized competitors. The most important fan effectively transports the waste warmth from the Ryzen 5 7640HS to the skin by way of giant copper warmth pipes. An further system fan ensures a continuing air circulation over the DDR5 RAM and the Crucial SSD put in within the check gadget.

This lively cooling of the reminiscence elements is a decisive benefit, because it successfully prevents the thermal throttling that’s feared with NVMe SSDs throughout lengthy write operations. Thanks to the strong building of the heatsink and an clever fan curve, the mini PC stays just about inaudible in workplace use. Under full load, it emits solely a sonorous, unobtrusive hum as a substitute of high-frequency whistling.

Another plus level is its ease of upkeep: The magnetic case cowl permits tool-free entry to the cooling system. This makes common cleansing of the fan blades from mud a breeze and ensures long-term system stability.

Features

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS types the center of a brand new era of mini PCs just like the PELADN WO4 that target effectivity and AI acceleration. The six-core processor relies on trendy 4nm manufacturing and Zen 4 structure (“Phoenix”).

In phrases of efficiency, it’s on par with former high-end chips such because the Ryzen 9 5900HX or the Intel Core i5-12500H. However, it considerably outperforms them when it comes to vitality effectivity and single-core efficiency.

Christoph Hoffmann

Compared to the Zen 3 fashions (such because the Ryzen 5 5600H or 5800H) discovered in lots of cheaper mini PCs, the 7640HS advantages from double-digit IPC development and help for AVX-512. This makes it highly effective sufficient for contemporary software program workloads and future-proof.

Although its larger brother, the Ryzen 7 7840HS, affords two extra cores, the 7640HS is sort of on par when it comes to single-thread efficiency, which is essential for on a regular basis use, and infrequently outperforms competing fashions within the Intel Core i5-13500H sequence in graphics benchmarks.

A singular promoting level on this value vary is the built-in Ryzen AI Engine (NPU), which affords devoted {hardware} acceleration for AI duties. This characteristic is totally absent in older mini PC generations or the pure workplace CPUs of the Intel T sequence.

A glance below the quilt reveals that PELADN makes no compromises relating to elements. While many producers are shifting in the direction of soldering the RAM in place for area causes — a criticism usually levelled at ultra-slim fashions — the WO4 affords two traditional SODIMM slots. It comes with 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM put in on the manufacturing facility, unfold throughout two 16GB modules.

Christoph Hoffmann

No corners have been reduce when it got here to the SSD: Thanks to its PCIe 4.0 connection, the built-in 1TB Crucial P3 delivers switch charges that permit the system in addition in seconds — extra particulars on this under. The number of connections on the case makes some full-grown desktop workstations look outdated. Particularly noteworthy are Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, which guarantee an especially secure wi-fi connection.

Christoph Hoffmann

The entrance of the PELADN WO4 has a contemporary and user-friendly design. In addition to the illuminated energy button, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports that allow information charges of as much as 10Gbit/s. This makes them preferrred for shortly connecting exterior SSDs or high-performance USB sticks. This setup is complemented by a mixed 3.5mm jack connection for headsets. This is especially useful for customers who’ve their PC on their desk and don’t need to attain behind the gadget to attach audio equipment.

Christoph Hoffmann

The spotlight on the entrance is the full-featured USB-C port. This not solely helps quick information switch, but additionally DisplayPort Alt Mode. Depending on the configuration, this enables a 3rd monitor to be managed. The result’s a excessive diploma of flexibility in on a regular basis work, as ceaselessly modified peripheral units are instantly accessible.

The rear of the mini PC is designed for steady stationary operation and affords quite a few connection choices. An HDMI and a DisplayPort connection dominate right here. Together with the USB-C port on the entrance, they allow a triple-monitor setup with as much as 4K decision at excessive refresh charges.

A 2.5G Ethernet port is offered for integration into the house community, providing considerably greater switch speeds than the traditional Gigabit commonplace, which can be accessible. The two LAN ports are a bonus for customers who work with a NAS or need to transfer giant quantities of information over the community.

Christoph Hoffmann

There are additionally two further USB-A ports on the again, that are appropriate for connecting peripheral units reminiscent of mice, keyboards, or printers.

Directly under the ports are the beneficiant air vents of the cooling system. They are positioned in order that the nice and cozy air is directed away from the person. The rear panel is rounded off by the facility enter for the exterior energy provide. The association of the sockets has been chosen in order that the plugs don’t block one another, even when all ports are totally occupied.

Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed

The PELADN WO4 comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. With an lively web connection, the working system is shortly activated and arrange. Windows 11 is factory-set to 24H2 Build 26100 with a launch date of 1 October 2024.

After setup, we up to date the system to the newest model utilizing the replace operate. We then put in the AMD drivers for the chipset and the Radeon graphics card.

Christoph Hoffmann

Christoph Hoffmann

Although we don’t consider Windows 11 Pro individually, the interplay between the working system and {hardware} is a crucial facet of the WO4. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS harmonizes nicely with the present Windows 11 construct due to its trendy platform. The built-in AI unit creates a future-proof foundation for capabilities which can be already used selectively by Windows 11 and are prone to turn into much more necessary sooner or later.

Computing energy

With the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, the PELADN WO4 positions itself as a strong consultant of the present mini PC higher class. In benchmarks, it achieves a balanced ratio of CPU efficiency, graphics efficiency and reminiscence throughput.

The processor relies on the Zen 4 structure of the Phoenix era and integrates the Radeon 760M graphics unit. This places the WO4 in the identical efficiency vary as compact high-performance techniques.

Compared to the newer Zen 5 platforms, reminiscent of these used within the Sapphire Edge AI 370, the WO4 relies on a mature and established structure. The built-in Ryzen AI unit supplies elementary help for AI functions.

Combined with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a quick PCIe 4.0 SSD, the result’s a system that may reliably deal with not solely traditional workplace and productiveness duties, but additionally demanding multitasking and computationally intensive workloads.

In the PCMark benchmark check, we decided a desktop computing energy of 7,158 factors. The software program processes on a regular basis duties one after the opposite, thus delivering reasonable values.

Christoph Hoffmann

The benchmark leads to the Essentials (10,063 factors) and Productivity (11,906 factors) sub-areas present that on a regular basis duties, workplace functions, and multitasking run easily on the WO4. However, the rating within the Content Creation space is weaker at 8,309 factors.

This places the mini PC considerably behind techniques primarily based on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and about 2,200 factors behind the Geekom IT15 with Intel Core Ultra 9. This displays the clearly greater efficiency of this platform in computationally and media-intensive eventualities.

In the 3DMark CPU check, the WO4 demonstrates balanced efficiency. With 5,949 factors within the multithread run and 974 factors within the single-thread check, the result’s on par with a cell Ryzen 9 8945HS.

In a direct market comparability, nevertheless, the WO4 lags round 20 p.c behind techniques with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. At the identical time, scaling throughout a number of threads reveals that computationally intensive duties and parallel AI workloads are carried out shortly.

Christoph Hoffmann

With 2,778 factors within the Time Spy check, this mini PC achieves spectacular efficiency for its measurement and marks the present efficiency peak of traditional built-in graphics options within the mini PC section. The Radeon 760M’s 2,488 graphics factors present that it outperforms standard Intel options (Iris Xe) by nearly 50 p.c and allows clean Full HD gaming.

The 8,202 CPU factors are the true spotlight: They show that the Ryzen 5 7640HS, due to its Zen 4 structure, doesn’t throttle even below steady load and comes near compact desktop techniques.

The end result within the Steel Nomad Light check is revealing, as this benchmark was developed for cross-platform techniques with no devoted graphics card. With 2,249 factors and an estimated gaming efficiency of over 30 FPS, the PELADN WO4 proves that it far exceeds the extent of straightforward workplace computer systems.

Even if 16.67fps could appear low at first look in a pure graphics check, this worth is sweet for an built-in answer with very prime quality settings. It signifies that present recreation titles stay playable in Full HD with average changes to the small print. This makes the WO4 an possibility for informal avid gamers.

The Geekbench AI Pro values (3,822 single precision / 7,362 quantized) point out good AI acceleration. This is helpful for on-device AI functions, edge computing, and native LLM inference.

In this self-discipline, the PELADN WO4 is round 10 p.c under the Geekom IT15, which is supplied with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, as used within the Sapphire Edge AI 370, for instance.

Christoph Hoffmann

The SSD efficiency in Crystal Disk Mark is sweet, however not above common: With 5,200MB/s learn and 4,733MB/s write speeds, the SSD performs at an honest however not above-average tempo. Some higher-priced competitor fashions obtain learn speeds of 6,000 to 7,000MB/s. The SSD velocity of the WO4 is considerably greater than that of the Alliwava fashions (GH8 and H90), that are outfitted with a sluggish PCIe 3.0 NVMe.

Christoph Hoffmann

Conclusion

Our impression of the PELADN WO4 is constructive. In phrases of efficiency, the Ryzen 5 7640HS makes a transparent assertion. Thanks to the Zen 4 structure and highly effective Radeon 760M graphics, the WO4 closes the hole between workplace PCs and gaming techniques. It masters demanding multitasking eventualities, AI-supported workflows, and even trendy gaming in 1080p with flying colours, with out reaching its thermal limits. The FrostCool system works so easily that the pc is unlikely to be perceived as disruptive, even in quiet working environments.

Its (nearly) distinctive promoting level is the intelligent housing idea with a magnetic cowl. Easy, tool-free entry to RAM and SSD is user-friendly. This not solely makes the system low-maintenance, but additionally future-proof for later upgrades.

For customers on the lookout for a strong, quiet, and versatile companion for his or her desk that gained’t turn into digital waste after simply two years, the PELADN WO4 is a great funding.

Technical specs

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (6 cores / 12 threads, as much as 5.0 GHz)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 760M (RDNA 3 structure)
• Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600 (2 × 16 GB detachable)
• Internal storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD (Crucial P3, PCIe 4.0 x4)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 1 × 2.5G Ethernet, 1 × Gigabit Ethernet
• Connections: 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DisplayPort
• 1 × USB-C (full characteristic), 4 × USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3.5 mm jack
• Cooling: FrostCool twin fan system
• Special characteristic: Magnetic case cowl for tool-free entry
• Operating system: Windows 11 Pro pre-installed
• Dimensions: 128 × 128 × 52 mm (width × depth × peak)
• Weight: approx. 550 grams