Mini PCs · Head to head

GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) vs Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official GMKtec and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) is the better-specified mini PC here, besting the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) on memory type, memory capacity and storage, while the Mac Mini is the lower priced of the two.
GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
Winner
GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
$1299.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
The GMKtec pairs an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with a 47 TOPS NPU, 32 GB of LPDDR5X at 8533 MT/s, a USB4 port and a PCIe Gen5 storage slot in a 460 g chassis. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) answers with macOS, a 10-core M2 Pro, four Thunderbolt 4 ports and an internal power supply, but its 16 GB and 512 GB are soldered and fixed. Pick the GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) for a compact Windows PC with more capacity, and the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) for macOS and Thunderbolt.
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FeatureGMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)Winner
Memory TypeLPDDR5XLPDDR5GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
Memory Capacity32 GB16 GBGMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
Storage Capacity1 TB512 GBGMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
CPU ModelIntel Core Ultra 7 258VM2 Pro (10-core CPU)Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationSoldered (non-upgradeable)Unified MemoryDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel Arc 140V16-core GPUDifferent strengths
NPU ModelIntel AI Boost NPU (47 TOPS)16-core Neural EngineDifferent strengths
Rating4.74.7Tie
Warranty1 year1 yearTie

What the differences mean

Platform and operating system

The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) runs Windows 11 Pro on an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with Arc 140V graphics and a 47 TOPS NPU. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) runs macOS on the 10-core M2 Pro with a 16-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine.

Memory

The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) has 32 GB of LPDDR5X at 8533 MT/s. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has 16 GB of unified memory, wider per transfer but half the capacity and soldered, with a 32 GB ceiling at purchase.

Storage

The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) ships 1 TB in a PCIe Gen5 x4 slot with a second M.2 slot free. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has a fixed 512 GB SSD, so extra space comes from external Thunderbolt storage.

Thunderbolt and ports

The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, which the GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) does not, since its single USB4 port is not Thunderbolt certified. Both offer HDMI, and the GMKtec adds four USB Type-A ports.

Networking

The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) has a 2.5G Ethernet port plus Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has Gigabit Ethernet that can be specified as 10Gb at purchase, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Which one to buy if

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
  • Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) or Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?

The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) wins on memory, storage and port count for a Windows machine. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) is the better pick for macOS, Thunderbolt expansion and an internal power supply.

What is the biggest difference between the GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?

The platform and the memory. The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) is a Windows machine with 32 GB of LPDDR5X and 1 TB, while the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) is a macOS machine with 16 GB of unified memory and a fixed 512 GB SSD.

Can you upgrade the memory in either mini PC?

No. The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) both use soldered memory, so the configuration you buy is the one you keep.

Which one has Thunderbolt, the GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) or the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?

Only the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB), which has four Thunderbolt 4 ports. The GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB) has one USB4 port that carries data, video and power but is not Thunderbolt certified.

Who should buy the GMKtec K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)?

Windows users who want a compact desktop with current Intel silicon, 32 GB of fast memory, a PCIe Gen5 storage slot and USB4 for less than a Mac.

Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?

Creative and professional users in the Apple ecosystem who want macOS, four Thunderbolt 4 ports and an internal power supply in a compact aluminium body.

Full comparison table

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