Mini PCs · Head to head

Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) vs Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from the official Beelink and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) wins this Windows-versus-macOS mini PC matchup on memory, storage and warranty, with 64 GB of DDR5 against 16 GB of unified memory and a 1 TB drive against 512 GB.
Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
Winner
Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
$1149.00
Buy on Amazon USA
Both are compact desktops that stay quiet in daily use, but they are built for different buyers. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) is the faster, better reviewed machine, runs macOS and adds Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and a built-in speaker; it also needs a monitor and input devices on top. The Beelink runs Windows 11 Pro, carries a three-year warranty instead of one and lets you add memory and storage, which makes it the pick for tinkering, multi-VM work and anyone committed to Windows. Choose the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) for expandability and warranty, the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) for Apple silicon, macOS and the stronger owner feedback.
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The biggest differences

Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.

  • Memory Capacity4×Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)64 GB vs 16 GB
  • Warranty3×Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)3 years vs 1 year
  • Storage Capacity2×Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)1 TB vs 512 GB
FeatureBeelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)Winner
Price$1149.00£999.00Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
Rating4.44.7Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
Warranty3 years1 yearBeelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
Memory TypeDDR5LPDDR5XApple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
Memory Capacity64 GB16 GBBeelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
Storage Capacity1 TB512 GBBeelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
CPU ModelAMD Ryzen 7 H 255M4Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationDual-channelUnified MemoryDifferent strengths
GPU ModelAMD Radeon 780M (12 CUs)10-core GPUDifferent strengths

What the differences mean

Operating system

The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) runs Windows 11 Pro and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) runs macOS, so the real question is your software. Windows-only applications and most PC games live on the Beelink, while Final Cut, Logic and the Apple ecosystem live on the Mac.

Memory and upgradability

The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) ships 64 GB of DDR5 in accessible SODIMM slots and accepts 128 GB, while the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) has 16 GB of unified memory soldered for life. Heavy virtualisation favours the Beelink; fast, fixed unified memory is the Apple trade.

Ports and displays

The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) brings three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, two front USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, but no USB-A. The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) offers USB4, two HDMI outputs, 10G Ethernet and legacy USB-A ports, which is friendlier to older peripherals.

Warranty and storage

A three-year warranty and a 1 TB drive cover the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB), against one year and 512 GB on the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB). If you keep a machine for years and store a lot locally, the Beelink is the safer base.

Graphics and AI

The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) pairs its 10-core GPU with a 16-core Neural Engine, while the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) uses Radeon 780M integrated graphics. For local AI and photo editing the Mac is quicker; for GPU-heavy Windows software neither is a gaming machine.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) describe it as extremely fast for the money, whisper quiet even under load and surprisingly small in person, with several replacing ageing Windows towers or iMacs. The themes that recur most are speed for the price, silence, and a setup they call effortless even as first-time Mac users. Their warnings are about permanence: the 16 GB of unified memory and the storage are soldered, so several owners add an external drive or wish they had configured more at purchase, and the lack of USB-A, an SD reader and a Kensington lock pushes many into buying a dock. The power button on the underside also draws complaints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) or Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?

It depends on your operating system. The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) offers four times the memory, double the storage, a three-year warranty and Windows 11 Pro. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) is the faster, quieter, better reviewed machine and the only one that runs macOS.

What is the biggest difference between the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?

Memory and its upgradability. The Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) ships 64 GB of DDR5 in slots and reaches 128 GB, while the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) has 16 GB of unified memory that is soldered and cannot change.

Can you upgrade the memory in either of these mini PCs?

Only in the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB), which uses SODIMM slots and supports up to 128 GB. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) has soldered unified memory, so its 16 GB is fixed for the life of the machine.

Which is better for gaming, the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) or the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?

Neither is a gaming PC. Both use integrated graphics, so the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB) suit light and older titles only, with the Beelink better placed for Windows games.

Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)?

Buyers inside the Apple ecosystem who want a fast, near-silent macOS desktop, already own a monitor and peripherals, and do not need to upgrade memory or storage later.

Who should buy the Beelink SER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)?

Windows users who run virtual machines or local models, want 64 GB now and the option of 128 GB later, and value a three-year warranty and 10G Ethernet.

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