The Chuwi LarkBox S is an ultra-compact mini PC designed to deliver reliable performance in a tiny form factor. Whether you need a device for office tasks, media playback, or light multitasking, the LarkBox S aims to be a budget-friendly solution with decent power. In this review, we will examine its design, performance, thermal efficiency, connectivity, and usability in detail to determine if it is the right fit for your needs.
What’s in the Box?
When unboxing the Chuwi LarkBox S, you will find:
- Chuwi LarkBox S Mini PC – The main unit with a sleek and compact design.
- Power Adapter – A 19V/4.74A (90W) DC power adapter.
- VESA Mounting Bracket – Allows for mounting behind a monitor to save space.
- User Manual – A basic setup guide and warranty information.
* The package does not include a keyboard, mouse, or HDMI cable, so you will need to provide your own peripherals.
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Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1220P (2 Performance Cores, 8 Efficiency Cores, 12 Threads, 3.3 – 4.4 GHz Turbo) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics (64 execution units at 1.10 GHz) |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 RAM (Dual-Channel, 3200 MHz) |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD (Expandable via M.2 slot) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet |
| Ports (Front) | 1 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x USB-C 3.1, 2 x USB-A 3.1, 1 x 3.5mm Audio Jack |
| Ports (Rear) | 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.0, Lan Port |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro (64-bit) |
| Dimensions | 118 x 118 x 45 mm |
| Weight | ~305 grams |
| Cooling System | Active cooling with dual ventilation |
Design & Build Quality
The LarkBox S follows a minimalist, space-efficient design, making it ideal for users looking to declutter their workspace. Its all-black chassis with subtle branding allows it to blend seamlessly into any setup. At just 118mm x 118mm x 45mm, it is smaller than most traditional desktops and laptops, making it an excellent choice for office desks, home theaters, or even as a digital signage player.
One of its standout features is VESA mount compatibility, enabling users to attach it behind a monitor to create a streamlined workstation. The ventilation grilles are strategically placed to maximize airflow, which is crucial for a mini PC that operates in such a small enclosure.
Build Quality
The build is mostly plastic with some metal reinforcements, ensuring it remains lightweight but durable. Despite its compact size, it feels sturdy and does not flex under pressure.
Display Support & Graphics Performance
The Intel UHD Graphics (64 execution units, 1.10 GHz) provides basic graphical power. While this is not a device for gaming or intensive graphical workloads, it is more than capable of handling:
- 4K video playback at up to 144Hz for a smooth viewing experience.
- Dual-monitor support via the two HDMI 2.0 ports, making multitasking more efficient.
- Basic photo editing and light graphical work, though performance is limited for professional design tasks.
Multimedia Experience
Streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime run flawlessly in 4K resolution. However, because it lacks a dedicated GPU, gaming is restricted to cloud gaming, emulation, or older PC games at low settings.
Performance Analysis
CPU Performance
The Intel Core i3-1220P (12th Gen) is significantly more powerful than traditional Celeron or Atom-based processors found in other budget mini PCs. This hybrid processor architecture (2 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores) ensures smooth performance across multiple workloads.
Benchmark Performance (Comparison)
| Task | Performance |
|---|---|
| Boot Time | ~10 seconds |
| 4K Video Playback | Smooth |
| Office Applications (Excel, Word, Outlook) | Excellent |
| Web Browsing (20+ Tabs) | Very good |
| Photo Editing (Lightroom, Photoshop Basic Edits) | Moderate |
| Gaming (Casual & eSports Titles) | Limited |
| Video Editing (4K Encoding) | Poor |
Office & Productivity
For office users, the LarkBox S is an excellent choice. Running Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Slack, Teams, Skype, Zoom and VS Code is seamless, making it perfect for remote work and business applications. Multitasking is smooth, thanks to 16GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM, which prevents slowdowns when switching between applications.
Web Browsing & Media Consumption
With its fast SSD and optimized CPU, the LarkBox S handles dozens of open Chrome tabs smoothly. Social media, YouTube, and Netflix all perform flawlessly, even at 4K resolutions.
Connectivity & Expandability
The Chuwi LarkBox S includes a wide range of ports for external devices, making it versatile for various use cases.
Port Analysis
- USB-C 3.2 & 3.1 – Faster data transfer and display output.
- USB-A 3.1 & 2.0 – Connect peripherals like keyboards, mice, and external storage.
- Dual HDMI 2.0 – Supports dual-monitor setups for enhanced productivity.
- Gigabit Ethernet – Provides stable internet access for work or media streaming.
- 3.5mm Audio Jack – Useful for speakers or headphones.
Expandability
- The M.2 slot allows storage upgrades (e.g., adding a larger NVMe SSD).
- RAM is soldered and non-upgradable, which might be a limitation for power users.
Cooling & Thermal Management
Despite its small size, the LarkBox S includes an active cooling system that prevents thermal throttling. Under normal workloads (web browsing, video playback), the fan runs quietly. However, under sustained load (e.g., video encoding, gaming), the fan noise increases but remains tolerable.
- Idle Temperature: ~40°C
- Heavy Load Temperature: ~75°C
For general office tasks and light multimedia work, the cooling system is more than sufficient.
Battery Life & Power Consumption
Unlike laptops, the LarkBox S does not have a built-in battery and must always be plugged in. However, its power efficiency is excellent, consuming:
- 10W–15W in idle mode
- 30W–40W under medium load
- 50W–65W under full load
Compared to a full-sized desktop, this is a significant reduction in power consumption, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Compact and lightweight – Great for small spaces. Intel i3-1220P processor – Fast and efficient for daily tasks. Dual HDMI 2.0 outputs – Supports multiple monitors. 16GB RAM + 512GB NVMe SSD – Fast and responsive. Good cooling system – Prevents overheating. VESA mount support – Saves desk space.
Cons
Non-upgradable RAM – Limited future-proofing. No dedicated GPU – Not suited for gaming or video editing.
Final Verdict
The Chuwi LarkBox S is an excellent mini PC for users who need a compact, energy-efficient, and capable system for everyday tasks. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but for office work, multimedia, and web browsing, it outperforms many other mini PCs in its price range.