[Device Reviews and Information] Jupit3r:
View attachment 5488993

Beelink is mainly known for making affordable mini PCs and TV boxes, but the brand is currently expanding its business to the area of PC accessories. The recently released Beelink Expand M is a USB-C smart hub which also serves as a mobile drive. I have been using this gadget for over two weeks to see what it's all about and whether or it's worthy of your money.

The good：

Metallic build

100W Power Dlivery

Portable SSD

The bad:

No 4K@60Hz video output

No storage card slot

Design

View attachment 5489021

The Beelink Expand M smart hub has an aluminum case, which gives it a premium and professional look.

View attachment 5488999

It connects to your computer over USB-C and features 2 USB Type-A ports, a USB-C port for power delivery, and an HDMI port for video output. I am a little disappointed to find out that there's no storage card slot of any kind.

View attachment 5489001

If all you are looking for in a hub is to add additional ports, there are plenty of options out there, lots of them are cheaper than the Expand M. However, this smart hub brings something rather unique to the table: an SSD enclosure, and it does so without adding extra heft or size to the product.

View attachment 5489003

This Expand M measures 115.3*39.3*11mm, and weighs only 76g. Putting it in your bag or pocket will be extremely easy, the included carrying bag handily prevents the case from getting scratches.

Mobile Drive

View attachment 5489005

The unit that I received includes a 512GB m2. SATA3 2280 SSD, which is much faster than normal mobile HDD storage, but still not as fast as top NVMe SSDs.

View attachment 5489043I connected the Expand M to the Type-C port on my Lenovo YOGA Duet, and ran the CrystalDiskMark test, the recorded sequential read and write speeds were respectively.

View attachment 5489007

The M button on the front side of the Expand M controls the power supply for the SSD. The mobile drive function is disabled by default after you connect the smart hub to the front-end device, but you can manually switch it on by pressing the M button when you need to get access to the storage. There’s an LED indicator to help you check the status of the SSD.

One thing you need to be aware is that the Expand M doesn’t come with a USB-A to C adaptor, you have to pay some extra for one if you wish to visit the Expand M’s storage from an old PC.

USB 3.0

View attachment 5489011

View attachment 5489053

Data transmission through the two USB type-A ports is quite stable. Copying a 4K video clip from a USB flash disk to the Huawei Matebook 13, I didn’t really see much fluctuation in the transfer speed, which stayed at the peak sequential read speed of the USB flash disk the entire time.

HDMI 1.4

View attachment 5489009

The HDMI port here is HDMI 1.4 instead of HDMI 2.0, and that means the maximum video output here is 4K@30fps. If you want 60Hz refresh rate, you will have to change the resolution to 1080P. It’s a little bit disappointing since most midrange and high-end smart hubs now support 4K@60Hz video output.

View attachment 5489045

Not only does the Expand M work with ultrabooks, but it also works with tablets and smartphones. If your smartphone supports desktop mode like my Honor 30 Pro does, it will instantly turn into a computer when you connect it to a monitor via the Expand M.

Power Delivery

View attachment 5489015

The USB-C port on the Expand M supports up to 100W power delivery. It works ideally with all my laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and never gets too hot during charging. One thing I need to mention is that the power inputs of all my laptops are limited to 65W, so I can’t tell you whether power delivery above 65W will also be stable.

Price & Availability

View attachment 5489049

The retail price of the Beelink Expand M starts from $42, quite a bargain for a smart hub with the mobile drive feature. But please be aware that the base model doesn’t include an SSD, you need to add one yourself if you wish to use the Expand M as mobile storage. It is now on sale on Beelink’s official website, and will be made available on Amazon and other eCommerce platforms soon.

Verdict

The Expand M is not perfect. The HDMI 1.4 port could be a deal breaker for some, and the absence of storage card readers is also a little bit disappointing. But with a fetching design, a sturdy metal case, two fast Type-A USB 3.0 ports, the flexibility to work as a portable SSD, and an affordable price tag, the Expand M could still be a worthy investment for many, as long as you understand and accept its limitations.