Updated October 2026
Data from the official Beelink site.
2026 verdict
Between two low-power Beelink boxes, the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) edges ahead as the cheaper mini PC, which is the row that decides a light-duty machine.
It is the older design, with a dual-core Ryzen 3 3200U, but it still covers browsing, documents and 4K video, ships with Windows 11 Pro and carries a three-year warranty. The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) is the better rated by owners and uses the more efficient chip, with a 2.5 Gigabit port and four 10Gbps USB ports, but it is fixed at 16 GB of DDR4 and runs Windows 11 Home. Both include a 500 GB SSD and an HDMI cable. Choose the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) for the lowest price on a basic desktop, and the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) if the better owner record and the 2.5G port matter more.
News by email
Still comparing? Get what's new by email
New releases and the smart home news worth knowing, in your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
| Feature | Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) | Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.00 | $299.00 | Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.3 | Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel N100 | AMD Ryzen 3 3200U | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Dual-slot | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics | AMD Radeon Vega 3 | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | Tie |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB | Tie |
| Storage Capacity | 500 GB | 500 GB | Tie |
What the differences mean
Processor
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) runs a dual-core Ryzen 3 3200U with Vega 3 graphics. The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) uses a four-core Intel N100 with UHD graphics, an efficiency chip built for always-on duty rather than speed.
Memory ceiling
Both ship 16 GB, but the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) takes up to 32 GB across two SODIMM slots, while the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) is fixed at 16 GB with no upgrade path at all.
Networking
The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) has one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, twice the speed of the single Gigabit port on the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB), so it moves files to a NAS faster.
Operating system
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) ships with Windows 11 Pro, while the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) comes with Windows 11 Home. Both include an HDMI cable, but neither includes a VESA mount.
Storage
Both carry a 500 GB M.2 SSD, so storage is a wash. The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) uses an M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, while the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) lists a general M.2 SSD.
Which one to buy if
- you want the lowest price for a basic desktop
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) is the cheaper of the two and still covers documents, browsing and 4K video.
- you want the better owner record
The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) is the better rated of the pair by owners.
- you need a 2.5 Gigabit wired link
The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) has a 2.5 Gigabit port against Gigabit on the SER3.
- you want to add memory later
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) reaches 32 GB across two slots, while the Mini S12 Pro is capped at 16 GB.
- you need Windows Pro features out of the box
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) ships with Windows 11 Pro instead of Home.
$339.00
- + Rating: 4.5
- - Price: $339.00 vs $299.00
Winner
$299.00
- + Price: $299.00
- - Rating: 4.3 vs 4.5
What owners say
Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) owners were mostly replacing an ageing tower on a tight budget, and they talk most about longevity: several report the machine still running fine after a year and one after roughly five years of light daily use. They call it quiet, with the fan almost always off, appreciate the properly licensed Windows 11 Pro and the accessible DDR4 slots, and use the dual HDMI and four USB 3.2 ports without a hub for documents, browsing and 4K movies. The caveats are the entry-level dual-core processor and scattered reports of spontaneous reboots and crashes, plus a 32 GB memory ceiling and slower 2400 MHz memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) or Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB)?
The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) wins on price and, for a light-duty machine, that is the deciding row. The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) is the better rated by owners, uses a more efficient chip and has a 2.5 Gigabit port, but its memory is fixed.
What is the biggest difference between the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) and the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB)?
Upgradeability and networking. The Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) can take 32 GB of memory and runs Windows 11 Pro, while the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) is fixed at 16 GB but offers a faster 2.5 Gigabit port.
Which one is faster?
Neither is built for speed. The Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) has four cores for efficiency, and the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) has a dual-core Ryzen 3 3200U. Both handle browsing, documents and streaming, but not heavy multitasking.
Can either run 4K video?
Yes. Both the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB) and the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB) have dual HDMI outputs rated for 4K at 60Hz, which makes them suitable for a television or a dual-monitor desk.
Who should buy the Beelink Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)?
Buyers who want the better rated, more efficient box with a 2.5 Gigabit port for media playback or light office work, and who are fine with 16 GB fixed.
Who should buy the Beelink SER3 (16GB + 500GB)?
Anyone who wants the cheapest of the two for documents, browsing and media, and who might want to add memory up to 32 GB later.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us and we will fix it.
Our store on AmazonShop our ideas on AmazonLists of the smart home setups we would put together ourselves, ready to add to your Amazon cart.Shop on AmazonFull comparison table
Compare all 109 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.
- 109 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
- Mini PCs
K15 (32GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
ROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
NUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
SEi14 (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
GT1 Mega Ultra 5
- Mini PCs
MS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
M1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
M1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
UM870 Slim (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
UM880 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
X1 Lite-255 (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
G1 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
EQ mini (12GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
EQi 304 (24GB + 512GB)
- Mini PCs
EQi13 (16GB + 500GB)
- Mini PCs
EQi13 (24GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)
- Mini PCs
EQR5 (7330U 16GB + 500GB)
- Mini PCs
EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
- Mini PCs
EQR7 (7735U 24GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
EQR7 (7735U 24GB + 500GB)
- Mini PCs
GTi14 (32GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
GTi15 Ultra (64GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
GTi15 Ultra (64GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
GTi15 Ultra (96GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
GTR9 Pro (128GB + 2TB)
- Mini PCs
ME mini (N150 12GB + 64GB)
- Mini PCs
ME mini (N95 12GB + 64GB)
- Mini PCs
ME Pro (N150 16GB + 1TB)
- Mini PCs
Mini S12 (N95 12GB + 500GB)
- Mini PCs
Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
- Mini PCs
Mini S13 (N150 12GB + 500GB)