Chinese PC maker Beelink’s latest small form-factor desktop computer looks… a lot like a bunch of the company’s other recent models. But under the hood there’s something different about the Beelink LZX: it’s powered by a Zhaoxin KX-6640MA processor.

Zhaoxin is a Chinese chip maker that’s one of the only companies beside Intel and AMD making x86 processors. Those chips are not widely available outside of China though, and it’s unlikely that customers in most parts of the world would be able to buy a Beelink LZX even if they wanted to. Although you might be able to pick up a different PC with the same chip.

First spotted by CNX Software, the Beelink LZX is available in Indonesia, where a model with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a Zhaoxin KX-6640MA processor sells for the equivalent of $270.

The processor is a 2.1 GHz quad-core processor based on x86 architecture. It supports turbo speeds up to 2.6 GHz, has integrated graphics with support for 4K video playback, and has a TDP of 25 watts.

While the chip isn’t particularly competitive with the latest Intel or AMD processors in terms of performance-per-watt, it’s an interesting processor because it’s not made by one of those companies. And the fact that it’s being used in inexpensive computers means that it’s designed to compete more with entry-level chips than high-end, high-performance processors anyway.

The Beelink LZX has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, six USB 3.0 ports, mic and headset jacks, and support for WiFi and Bluetooth. The memory and storage are upgradeable – the system has two SODIMM slots for up to 64GB of RAM and two M.2 2280 slots for solid state storage as well as a 2.5 inch drive bay for an optional hard drive.

But CNX Software reports that Beelink only plans to sell the LZX in China (even though it’s listed on an Indonesian website), and the company has already ceased production of the computer due to chip shortages. So you might be able to pick up one in China while supplies last, but the rest of the world is probably out of luck.

If you want a computer featuring a Zhaoxin KX-6640MA processor though, there is at least one option available in the US: Newegg is selling a little computer with similar specs for $260.

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17 replies on “Beelink LZX is a mini PC with a Zhaoxin processor (that you probably can’t buy)”

  1. Actually, you can buy it. I’ve tried searching for KX-6640MA on Ali Express and it returned me several results from the same seller of a device with the same aspect and same specs, it just doesn’t say that it’s from Beelink; apparently it is in stock, but it’s more expensive, 313€.

  2. The article mentions ‘support’ for Wifi, but doesn’t mention if a Wifi adapter is included. It’s not fanless, which is a negative for me. There is no mention of Linux compatibility. Will it run generic Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora/MX/Endevor/Manjaro Linux out of the box with no missing driver hassles? I’m curious if this computer has any English language install/user guides or a support website in English. It looks like a reasonably priced mini PC with good specs, but there are just too many unknowns for me to buy one.

    1. I think it probably has reasonable Linux support as most of the Chinese-built machines are designed for it. Can’t guarantee anything though.
      As for “a reasonably priced mini PC with good specs”, I don’t think it is. The processor seems to be more power hungry than most low-end Intel parts without improving much on performance. It has a nice selection of ports, but otherwise isn’t very impressive. There are lots of small computers in existence. You can stick to this price point and get something better.

    2. From the sellers’ page it seems to come with an M2 2230 WiFi 5 card (which can be obviously upgraded, something that is heavily emphasised in the promotional pictures).

  3. Best internet search benchmarks, for this CPU before you get to excited.

    Remained yourself of the performance of those Via chipped laptops, years back.

    1. I kind of know the chip’s history, but was wondering about its status today. Sure, it won’t compete with an i7 or the latest AMD chips, but how does it compete with cheap Intel and AMD chips?

      I just looked it up on Geekbench. The single-core scores clustered around the low to mid-300s. The multi-core scores clustered around the 1000s to 1100s.

      For comparison, the Celeron N4100 scored 379 and 1118.

      1. Maybe compare it to jasper lake? Which score around 700 in geekbench 5, and jasper mobile is 6 watts chip, core i3 tigerlake will be even Better.

        1. Why don’t you compare it to an Alder Lake i9 then? Jasper Lake has barely started appearing, it’s fair to compare this processor to the beaten horse that is Gemini Lake.

  4. How does the Zhaoxin KX-6640MA compare to the current range of Celeron and Pentium chips?

  5. Anyone who trusts a Chinese processor with their data is insane!

      1. The difference is that Apple is handling your data within countries that have laws to protect your privacy, and they offer their customers a privacy policy that holds them accountable in courts within my own country.

        You have absolutely no privacy or rights when you use a computer that is made using 100% Chinese components. The Chinese government has no obligation to protect your data or privacy.

        1. China is modeling their privacy law after EU. So no, what you said is greatly misleading. What has been true is that traditionally they have been lax with privacy, but China tech been undergoing great change. If you wanna make a case that law in China can be bulldozed anytime, I’m not going to argue that, but keep in mind, there is not a nation on earth where that cannot ever happen.

          1. This is 2016 era chip, so events since then probably don’t factor in as much as you’d think. Back then, I’d imagine they were concerned with Intel’s hidden security chip “Intel ME” inside, and wanted alternatives without it. That said, one could do better for $270 in 2021/2

        2. Yes, for a cloud provider or OS developer that’s an important point. This is about hardware though.
          For example, would you have the same problems with equipment made by Pine64? They use processors from Allwinner and Rockchip, both Chinese companies. They are assembled in China. Should I assume the CCP has backdoored them? How about basically all the SBCs other than the Raspberry Pi? How about the Raspberry Pis made in China instead of Wales? And how about processors designed by companies outside China but manufactured there? Why is this processor suspect but most or all of those are not?

        3. “Countries that have laws to protect your privacy”? Oh please, the US government has been spying everyone for years now, haven’t you heard of PRISM? How jingoistic and/or paranoid do you need to be in order to believe that Chinese processors are more compromised than those Intel and AMD processors coming with blackboxes like the Intel Management Engine and AMD Platform Security Processor?

    1. When they are sold in Indonesia means they are subject to Indonesian law. That said, I doubt Indonesia is not the kind of country that is very alert and/or has the culture to speak up about things flying under the radar.

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