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Mini PCs · Head to head

GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) vs Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official GMKtec and Apple sites.
2026 verdict
Windows and upgradeable memory meet macOS and unified memory, and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) wins this mini PC comparison over the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB).
Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
Winner
Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
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The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) pairs a twelve-core M4 Pro and a sixteen-core GPU with 24GB of unified LPDDR5X at 8533 MT/s, three Thunderbolt 5 ports and near-silent operation, and it is the better reviewed of the two. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) wins on price and on memory you can upgrade, offering 32GB of DDR4 and two M.2 slots for homelab duty. Pick the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) for a budget Windows server or desktop, and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) for creative work and local AI on macOS.
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FeatureGMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)Winner
Rating4.34.8Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
Memory TypeDDR4LPDDR5XApple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
Memory Speed3200 MT/s8533 MT/sApple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
Memory Capacity32 GB24 GBGMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
CPU ModelAMD Ryzen 7 7730UM4 Pro (12-core)Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationDual-channelUnified MemoryDifferent strengths
GPU ModelAMD Radeon Graphics (8 cores, up to 2000 MHz)16-core GPUDifferent strengths
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Storage Capacity512 GB512 GBTie

What the differences mean

Operating system

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) ships Windows 11 Pro and is also known to run Linux distributions cleanly. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) runs macOS only, so the software you depend on often decides this comparison before the hardware does.

Memory

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) ships 32GB of DDR4-3200 that can be upgraded to 64GB. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) has 24GB of unified LPDDR5X at 8533 MT/s soldered to the package, faster and shared with the GPU, but fixed for the life of the machine.

Chip and graphics

The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) has a twelve-core M4 Pro with a sixteen-core GPU, a workstation class of silicon. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) uses an eight-core Ryzen 7 7730U with integrated Radeon graphics, fine for office work and light games.

Ports

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) has dual 2.5G Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-A, all standard on Windows. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) has three Thunderbolt 5 ports and HDMI but no USB-A, no SD reader and Gigabit Ethernet unless the upgrade is chosen at purchase.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of both mini PCs agree on the basics: each is quiet under normal load and easy to set up, and each is used for far more than office work. Beyond that the two groups diverge. GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) owners talk about homelab duty, two 2.5 Gb network ports, Proxmox and Linux installs that simply work, and support that answers quickly, while their warnings are about DDR4, PCIe 3.0 and a one-year warranty. Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) owners describe sustained performance in video editing, Xcode builds and local AI, near-silent operation under load and three Thunderbolt 5 ports, and they complain about soldered memory and storage, no USB-A or SD reader, and the price before a monitor is added.

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 NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
  • Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) or Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?

The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) is the faster, better reviewed machine and the right pick for creative work. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is the better value for Windows, homelab and budget desktop use.

What is the biggest difference between the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?

The platform and its memory. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) runs macOS on a twelve-core M4 Pro with soldered unified memory at 8533 MT/s, while the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) runs Windows on an eight-core Ryzen 7 with upgradeable DDR4.

Can the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) memory be upgraded?

No. Its 24GB of unified LPDDR5X is soldered and the 512GB SSD is not user-replaceable. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) takes DDR4 to 64GB and has two M.2 bays.

Which is quieter under a sustained load?

Owners of the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) describe it as staying near-silent even under load, and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is also described as quiet for normal use, though its fans become audible during sustained gaming.

Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?

Homelab and virtualisation users who want dual 2.5G networking and upgradeable memory on Windows for a low price.

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