Mini PC N150 Firewall Hardware - Dual 10GbE, Triple 2.5GbE Mini Router

In this review the Mini PC N150 Firewall Hardware is presented as a compact, network-first appliance aimed at small offices, home labs and edge deployments that need serious I/O in a small footprint. The bottom line: it pairs an efficient Intel N150 processor with two 10GbE SFP+ ports and three 2.5GbE LAN ports so it is best for users who need multi-gig throughput and dedicated firewall or routing duties without a rack server. The review focuses on real-world suitability for OPNsense and other network OSes and explains why the device is a practical choice for secure, always-on routing.

Key Features

• N150 Processor: A low TDP 4-core CPU with integrated UHD graphics delivers efficient performance and supports 4K@60Hz dual display without a large power budget.
• Dual 10GbE SFP+: Two Intel 82599ES SFP+ ports provide true 10 gigabit fiber connectivity for WAN or backbone links for high-throughput routing and firewalling.
• Triple 2.5GbE LAN: Three Intel i226-V ports give flexible multi-gig wired LAN options for segmentation, uplinks or aggregation in compact networks.
• Expansion for wireless: M.2 B key and SIM slot support optional 5G modules, and an M.2 E key accepts CNVio2 WiFi modules like Intel AX201/AX211 for wireless connectivity when needed.
• DDR5 and NVMe storage: One DDR5 SO-DIMM slot and an M.2 2280 NVMe slot allow modern memory and fast local storage for OS images, caching or logging.
• Platform compatibility: Works with OPNsense, Windows, Linux, ESXi and OpenWrt, plus BIOS features like AES-NI, PXE and Wake-on-LAN for appliance deployments.

Who It's For

The N150 appliance is for network professionals, small IT teams and advanced home users who need dedicated firewall or router hardware with multi-gig connectivity and expansion options. It's ideal when you want a low-power device that still supports AES-NI for encrypted VPN throughput and can run OPNsense, pfSense alternatives or hypervisors like ESXi.

It is not for casual desktop users who only need simple web browsing or for buyers wanting built-in WiFi out of the box, since wireless and 5G require optional modules. Users who require very high CPU compute for virtual machines should consider larger systems.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High quality networking with 2x10GbE SFP+ and 3x2.5GbE for flexible multi-gig deployments.
• Low power 4-core N150 processor that still supports AES-NI and dual 4K displays.
• Expandable storage and memory with DDR5 and NVMe, plus optional 5G and CNVio2 WiFi support.

Cons

• WiFi and 5G require purchasing additional modules; not included by default.
• Single DDR5 slot limits memory capacity upgrades compared with larger appliances.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Mini PC N150 Firewall Hardware is a strong value for anyone who needs a compact, energy-efficient appliance with true multi-gig networking and expansion for modern wireless modules. It makes an excellent OPNsense or small ESXi host when throughput and AES-NI acceleration matter, provided the user is comfortable adding optional WiFi or 5G modules and accepts the single memory slot constraint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it run OPNsense or other firewall OS?
Yes, it is compatible with OPNsense, OpenWrt, Windows, Linux and ESXi as stated and includes features like AES-NI and PXE for appliance use.

Does it include WiFi or 5G?
No, WiFi and 5G are optional; the board provides M.2 E key (CNVio2) and M.2 B key plus a SIM slot for adding those modules separately.

What kind of storage and display support does it offer?
It supports an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD for storage and offers HDMI 2.0 plus DisplayPort for dual 4K@60Hz display output.