Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Beelink and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) wins on ratings, memory type, memory speed, memory capacity and storage over the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), which competes on price alone.
The Mac pairs a 12-core M4 Pro with a 16-core GPU, 24 GB of unified LPDDR5X at 8533 MHz and a 512 GB SSD, and adds three Thunderbolt 5 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, a built-in power supply, a speaker and macOS in a 127 mm aluminium cube. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) is an entry-level Windows 11 Pro box: Intel N95, 8 GB of single-channel DDR4, a 480 GB SSD, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 and dual HDMI, with the one structural advantage that its memory and SSD are user-upgradable. Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) for professional macOS performance, and the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) for a cheap, serviceable Windows machine.
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| Feature | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $289.00 | $1569.00 | Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.7 | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | LPDDR5X | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MT/s | 8533 MT/s | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 8 GB | 24 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 480 GB | 512 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel N95 | M4 Pro (12-core) | 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 4.7
- - Memory Type: DDR4 vs LPDDR5X
Winner
$1569.00
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5X
- + Memory Speed: 8533 MT/s
- - Price: $1569.00 vs $289.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) or Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) wins overall: a 12-core M4 Pro, 24 GB of unified LPDDR5X at 8533 MHz, a 512 GB SSD, three Thunderbolt 5 ports and macOS. The Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) costs a small fraction of the price.
What is the biggest difference between the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
Performance ceiling. The M4 Pro with 24 GB of very fast unified memory and Thunderbolt 5 is a professional workstation in a small box. The Mini S12's Intel N95 and 8 GB of DDR4 target browsing, streaming and basic office work.
Which one is upgradable?
Only the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB), whose SODIMM memory and M.2 SSD can be swapped, though it tops out at 16 GB. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) has soldered memory and storage that cannot be changed later.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
Buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) if you need serious macOS performance for video editing, music production or development, with 24 GB of unified memory, a 16-core GPU and three Thunderbolt 5 ports.
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 everyday use, media playback or signage, with 2.5G Ethernet, dual HDMI and the option to add memory and storage yourself.
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