Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Beelink and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) wins on ratings, memory type, memory capacity and storage against the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), and it is simply a far more powerful computer.
Its M4 chip with a 10-core GPU, 16 GB of unified LPDDR5X and a 512 GB SSD sit in a 127 mm aluminium cube with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, a built-in power supply and macOS. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) wins on price alone, running an Intel N95 with 8 GB of DDR4 and a 480 GB SSD under Windows 11 Pro, though it does offer 2.5G Ethernet, dual HDMI and, unlike the Mac, upgradable memory and storage. Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) if you want macOS and current-generation performance, and the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) if you need the cheapest Windows machine you can put on a desk.
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| Feature | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) | Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 | $979.99 | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | LPDDR5X | Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 480 GB | 512 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel N95 | M4 | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Unified Memory | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics (16 EUs) | 10-core GPU | Different strengths |
$289.00
- + Price: $289.00
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.7
- - Memory Type: DDR4 vs LPDDR5X
Winner
$979.99
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5X
- + Memory Capacity: 16 GB
- - Price: $979.99 vs $289.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) or Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?
The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) wins overall, with an M4 chip, 16 GB of unified LPDDR5X, a 512 GB SSD, three Thunderbolt 4 ports and macOS. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) is far cheaper and runs Windows 11 Pro on an Intel N95.
What is the biggest difference between the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?
Platform and performance. The Mac Mini runs macOS on Apple silicon with unified memory and Thunderbolt 4, while the Mini S12 is a Windows box on an entry-level Intel N95 with DDR4. They are aimed at completely different needs and budgets.
Can either be upgraded after purchase?
Only the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), which uses a SODIMM memory module and M.2 SSDs, so RAM can go to 16 GB and storage can be expanded. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) has soldered memory and storage.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?
Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) if you want macOS with current Apple silicon for creative or development work, in a compact 670g aluminium body with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E and a built-in power supply.
Who should buy the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)?
Buy the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) if you want the cheapest small Windows 11 Pro machine for light tasks, or a box you can upgrade yourself. It includes 2.5G Ethernet, dual HDMI and four USB 3.0 ports.
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