SOYO M4 Power Mini PC Review with Ryzen 3

The SOYO M4 Power is a poorly documented variant within the brand's M4 catalog (where models with Intel N150 predominate), which in this case opts for an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C, a low-power chip originally designed for ultralight laptops and Chromebooks.

Being a relatively new version, it doesn't yet have the volume of independent reviews that other more established mini PCs have, but its specifications and initial ratings on AliExpress (4.7/5 with 20 ratings and 112 units sold) point to a solid proposition within its price segment.

Pros:

• 💰 Competitive price (€167.69 on sale, compared to €192.96 RRP)

• 🔧 Dual-channel DDR4 RAM, expandable up to 32GB, the maximum officially supported by the Ryzen 3 3250C.

• 💾 M.2 storage expandable up to 2TB

• 🖥️ Dual 4K video output (DP + HDMI) for multi-screen setups

• 📦 Ultra-compact chassis weighing just 260 grams

• ⭐ Good initial rating on AliExpress (4.7/5)

Cons:

• 🌐 WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 are already behind the WiFi 6/BT 5.x standards that are becoming commonplace

• ❓ As it is a new variant, there is little independent documentation on its thermal behavior and real-world long-term performance

• 🔒 The rear "lock" type switch does not have a clearly explained function in the listing

In short: the SOYO M4 Power is an interesting option if you're looking for a compact mini PC with AMD architecture for office tasks, browsing, and light multimedia, with good room for future RAM upgrades (up to the processor's maximum capacity) and storage. Since it's a recent version, we recommend buying it with expectations adjusted to an entry-level chip and carefully reviewing user reviews before deciding to upgrade to a higher-capacity configuration.

🛒 Where to buy it? See SOYO M4 Power on AliExpress

📦 Unboxing and Box Contents

According to the product specifications, the SOYO M4 Power box includes:

• The M4 Power mini PC

• Power adapter

• HDMI cable

• VESA mount with screws

• Instruction manual

🛠️ Technical Specifications Table

🎨 Design and Construction Quality

Weighing just 260 grams and measuring 100.6×100.6×34mm, the M4 Power is one of the most compact and lightweight mini PCs we've reviewed so far, comparable in size to a stack of playing cards. The chassis follows SOYO's signature minimalist design, with frequently used ports (USB 3.2 and audio) located on the front for easy access, and network/video connectivity concentrated at the rear.

The included VESA mount allows you to mount it behind a monitor, further taking advantage of its small size to free up desktop space.

🖥️ Screen and Multimedia

The M4 Power supports dual 4K monitors by combining DisplayPort and HDMI output, a practical setup for a dual-screen office workstation or for connecting a projector alongside a main monitor. The integrated graphics of the Ryzen 3 3250C are designed for desktop tasks and video playback, offering no level of performance like the latest iGPUs (such as the Radeon 680M in the Ryzen 7000 series), but sufficient for streaming, office applications, and presentations.

It does not include its own speakers, so you will need a monitor with integrated audio or connect external speakers via the 3.5mm jack.

🎮 Performance and Software

The Ryzen 3 3250C is geared towards everyday tasks: web browsing, office applications, video calls, and multimedia streaming. With the RAM in a dual-channel configuration, as confirmed by the product materials, the system should make better use of the available memory bandwidth for the integrated graphics than in a hypothetical single-channel scenario. This is especially beneficial for tasks that rely on integrated graphics (video playback, interface acceleration, multi-tab browsing).

Windows 11 Pro comes pre-installed, which is a plus compared to models that only include Windows 11 Home. The listing doesn't specify official Linux compatibility, but since it uses standard AMD x86 hardware, it's reasonable to expect distributions like Ubuntu or Linux Mint to work without major issues, as is the case with most mini PCs in this category.

🔌 Energy Consumption and Cables

This mini PC has extremely low power consumption, making it ideal if you need to leave it on for many hours:

• Actual Power Consumption: During basic tasks or at idle , power consumption ranges only between 5W and 7W. Under maximum sustained workload (processor and graphics stress), total system power consumption ranges between 18W and 25W. In comparison, a traditional desktop computer consumes between 200W and 400W.
• Power Supply: Includes a compact wall charger similar to a laptop charger (typically a 12V DC adapter). It is not powered via USB-C ; it uses a traditional pin connector.

🌡️ Temperature and Noise (Actual Thermal)

By incorporating moving components optimized for high energy efficiency, thermal management is very well controlled:

• Normal Use: In office tasks, web browsing with multiple tabs and high-definition video playback, the processor stays within a very safe range of 45°C to 65°C.
• Under Heavy Load: If it is subjected to maximum continuous performance (such as light simulations or extreme multitasking), the temperature may reach peaks of 75°C or 80°C. Since this processor has a similar architecture to laptops, these temperatures are within the normal operating range and will not damage the silicon.
• Design tip: Its chassis draws air primarily through the bottom and side vents. It is recommended to avoid placing objects against the sides and to keep the area clean to prevent dust accumulation.

🔗 Connectivity and Extras

• 🔵 2× USB 3.2 (front)

• ⚪ 2× USB 2.0 (rear)

• 🖲️ 1× DisplayPort

• 🖥️ 1× HDMI

• 🎧 1× Audio Jack 3.5mm (front)

• 🌐 1× RJ45

• 📡 WiFi 5 + Bluetooth 4.2

• 🔒 Rear lock-type switch (function to be confirmed)

• 📺 Integrated VESA mount

It does not include a fingerprint reader, NFC, or 5G module, as is typical in this category of entry-level mini PCs.

🧩 Expansion and Upgrades

The M4 Power offers remarkable expansion headroom for its range, further supported by the actual limit of the processor itself:

• RAM: 8GB DDR4 installed in dual SO-DIMM slots (dual-channel), expandable up to 32GB, which is precisely the official maximum supported by the AMD Ryzen 3 3250C in dual-channel. This means that, unlike other budget mini PCs where the manufacturer limits the RAM to less than the CPU can utilize, here you can push the chip to 100% of its memory capacity.

• Storage: Factory-installed 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, expandable up to 2TB.

🛒 Upgrade your SOYO M4 Power with these components on AliExpress:

• SO-DIMM DDR4 2400MHz memory (dual-channel kit) for expansion up to 32GB

• M.2 2280 SSD to expand storage up to 2TB

⚔️ Comparison with Direct Competitors

Compared to the Intel N150/N100/N4500 models in the same price range, the M4 Power stands out for offering AMD architecture with dual-channel RAM expandable up to the processor's actual limit, although with a chip (Ryzen 3 3250C) that is already several years old and without more generous base soldered RAM as offered by the SOYO M4 Pro.

⭐ Reviews on Well-Known Pages

The listing on AliExpress has a rating of 4.7/5 based on 20 reviews, with 112 units sold, and real buyer reviews (shipments from Germany, Spain and France) reinforce that good initial impression with specific usage details:

The most frequently repeated positive aspects:

• Fast delivery and good packaging, with several buyers highlighting shipments from warehouses in the EU (Germany, Spain, France) which significantly speed up delivery times compared to direct shipments from China.

• Install and upgrade Windows 11 "in just 2-3 steps", hassle-free.

• Quiet fan in normal use ("very quiet"), although one of the buyers notes that it becomes somewhat more audible under sustained load.

• "Perfectly clean" construction upon opening the box, with the included VESA mount as advertised.

• Excellent Linux compatibility: one buyer achieved a complete dual-boot with Bazzite (a SteamOS-like experience-oriented distro), with WiFi, Bluetooth and audio working without additional adjustments, and even a wired and Bluetooth compatible PS3 controller.

• System and BIOS information exactly matches the specifications advertised by the seller, a point that inspires confidence compared to listings that sometimes promise more than they deliver.

Nuances and some reservations:

• One buyer points out that Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't run as smoothly as in some YouTube reviews, suggesting checking the BIOS settings to get closer to that performance.

• The noise of the fan under sustained load is mentioned as the "only drawback" by at least one user.

🔬 Technical Tests

1. Processor Tests (Pure Performance and Graphics)

Technical analyses evaluate the performance of its 2 cores/4 threads and its integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics using standard programs:

• Brute Force Test (Cinebench R23 or Geekbench 6): This measures the processor's speed when rendering complex images. In these tests, the Ryzen 3 3250C delivers modest results, confirming that it's excellent for opening applications quickly and browsing the internet, but struggles when asked to render video or process massive amounts of code.
• Graphics Performance Test (3DMark / FurMark): Evaluates the integrated Radeon graphics. Technical tests show that, while it can't handle modern AAA games, it has more than enough power to smoothly run interfaces on 4K displays at 60Hz and emulate retro consoles.
• Video Playback Test (Multimedia Codecs): Measures processor usage while playing content. Technical analysis indicates that the chip smoothly decodes streaming video (such as YouTube or Netflix), keeping processor usage below 15% thanks to its hardware graphics acceleration.

2. Motherboard and Component Testing (Stability and Limits)

These tests do not measure speed, but rather the quality of the internal construction of the SOYO mini PC and how its parts interact:

• Thermal Stress Test (AIDA64 / Prime95): This test involves forcing the processor to 100% of its capacity for several hours to see how the motherboard reacts. Testing on this chassis reveals that the copper heatsink effectively manages the chip's 15W of heat, preventing thermal throttling (a mechanism that reduces the PC's speed to prevent overheating).
• Storage Speed ​​Test (CrystalDiskMark): Evaluates the communication paths (buses) from the motherboard to the M.2 SSD. Confirms whether the motherboard limits the storage speed or allows it to operate at its maximum read and write potential.
• Energy Efficiency Test: The device is connected to a wall meter while performing heavy-duty tasks. Tests confirm that the board's power phases manage energy cleanly, keeping total consumption between 18W and 25W maximum without unstable voltage spikes.

🕹️ Gaming and Emulation

With an entry-level integrated graphics card, the SOYO M4 Power is designed for productivity tasks rather than gaming:

• Easy 2D/indie games

• Smooth emulation of retro 8/16-bit systems

• Cloud gaming (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now) as a viable alternative to local gaming

It is not a recommended machine for modern 3D gaming or emulation of more demanding consoles like PS2 or GameCube.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this a good mini PC for 2026?
For office tasks, browsing, and light multimedia, yes. It's not the ideal choice if you're looking for maximum performance or gaming.

How much RAM does it actually support?
The AMD Ryzen 3 3250C itself officially supports up to 32GB DDR4-2400 in dual-channel, and the M4 Power appears to take full advantage of that limit thanks to its dual SO-DIMM slot design.

Does the RAM operate in dual-channel or single-channel?
The product's marketing material ("dual combination of DDR4 memory and SSD") suggests dual-channel with 2 slots.

Can I expand the storage?
Yes, up to 2TB in the M.2 2280 slot, as specified by the manufacturer.

What is the sliding button with the padlock icon on the back?
The listing doesn't clarify its exact function. It could be a physical security switch or related to chassis access; we recommend physically checking it upon receiving the unit.

Is it compatible with Linux?
The manufacturer specifies its compatibility with Ubuntu distributions.

🛒 Where to buy it?

• View SOYO M4 Power on AliExpress (current offer)

• Upgrade your DDR4 RAM on AliExpress

• Upgrade your M.2 SSD on AliExpress