Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Beelink and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) wins on ratings, memory type, memory capacity and storage over the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), and the gap in capability is enormous.
It runs a 10-core M2 Pro with a 16-core GPU, 16 GB of unified LPDDR5 memory and a 512 GB SSD, with four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, a built-in power supply, a speaker and macOS. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) wins only on price, offering an Intel N95, 8 GB of single-channel DDR4, a 480 GB SSD, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, dual HDMI and Windows 11 Pro in a much smaller and cheaper chassis, with the advantage that its memory and SSD can be upgraded, while Apple's are soldered. Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) for professional performance in macOS, and the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) for a cheap, upgradable Windows machine.
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| Feature | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 | $1273.46 | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.6 | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | LPDDR5 | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 480 GB | 512 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel N95 | M2 Pro (10-core CPU) | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Unified Memory | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics (16 EUs) | 16-core GPU | Different strengths |
$289.00
- + Price: $289.00
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.6
- - Memory Type: DDR4 vs LPDDR5
Winner
$1273.46
- + Rating: 4.6
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5
- + Memory Capacity: 16 GB
- - Price: $1273.46 vs $289.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) or Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?
The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) wins overall: a 10-core M2 Pro with 16-core graphics, 16 GB of unified LPDDR5, a 512 GB SSD, four Thunderbolt 4 ports and macOS. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) costs a fraction as much and runs Windows.
What is the biggest difference between the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?
The operating system and the silicon. One is a macOS machine built on Apple's M2 Pro with unified memory and Thunderbolt 4, the other a Windows 11 Pro box on an Intel N95 with DDR4. They serve completely different buyers.
Which one can be upgraded?
Only the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), whose SODIMM memory and M.2 SSD can be replaced, up to 16 GB of RAM. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has soldered memory and storage, so the configuration you buy is the one you keep.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?
Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) if you want macOS and professional performance for video, music or development work, with four Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E and a built-in power supply in an aluminium chassis.
Who should buy the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)?
Buy the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) if you need an inexpensive Windows 11 Pro box for browsing, streaming or signage, or a machine you can open up and upgrade. It offers 2.5G Ethernet and dual HDMI at a very low price.
Full comparison table
Compare all 68 Mini PCs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Mini PCs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 68 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
MINISFORUMX1 Lite-255 (32GB + 1TB)
$699.90
AsusNUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
$1902.44
MINISFORUMMS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
$2099.00
AsusNUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
$949.99
AsusROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
$2599.00
BeelinkMini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
$339.00
AsusNUC 15 Pro Slim (Core 5 16GB + 512GB)
$1101.00
GeekomIT13 2026 Edition (Ultra 7 32GB + 1TB)
$1399.00
BeelinkSER8 (32GB + 1TB)
$939.00
BeelinkSER9 Pro (24GB + 1TB)
$689.00
AppleMac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
$979.99
AppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
$1569.00
AppleMac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
$1273.46
BeelinkSER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB)
$389.00
GMKtecNucBox M7 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
$599.99
GeekomGT1 Mega Ultra 9
10% OFF$949.00$854.10- Beelink
Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
$289.00 
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
$3799.00
GeekomA9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)
5% OFF$3999.00$3799.04
GMKtecNucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB)
28% OFF$459.99$329.99
Mini PCsBeelinkEQi 304 (24GB + 512GB)
4.3(702)$629.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi14 (32GB + 1TB)
4.0(30)$1049.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi15 Ultra (64GB + 1TB)
4.3(33)$1499.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi15 Ultra (96GB + 2TB)
4.3(218)$1949.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTR9 Pro (128GB + 2TB)
3.0(17)$3639.00- Mini PCsBeelink
Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
4.5(262)$289.00 - Mini PCsBeelink
Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
5.0(2)$339.00 
Mini PCsBeelinkMini S13 (N150 16GB + 500GB)
4.2(33)$349.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSEi14 (32GB + 1TB)
4.3(33)$829.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSER10 Max (32GB + 1TB)
5% OFF$1299.00$1229.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSER3 (16GB + 500GB)
4.4(480)10% OFF$299.00$269.00- Mini PCsBeelink
SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB)
4.6(37)$389.00 - Mini PCsBeelink
SER8 (32GB + 1TB)
4.8(8)$939.00 
Mini PCsBeelinkSER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
$1149.00- Mini PCsBeelink
SER9 Pro (24GB + 1TB)
4.8(7)$689.00
- Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
4.6(206)$1273.46 - Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
4.7(405)$979.99 - Mini PCsApple
Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
4.7(250)$1569.00 
Mini PCsAppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)
4.4(13)$2199.00
SpeakersAppleHomePod (2nd gen)
4.5(54)$369.99
SpeakersAppleHomePod mini
$99.00
Voice AssistantsAppleHomePod (2nd gen)
4.5(54)$369.99
Voice AssistantsAppleHomePod mini
$99.00