5 Mini PCs That Beat the Mac Mini on Price and Features

Sofía García · 2026-05-14

If you think the Mac Mini is the only compact desktop worth your money, think again. There are plenty of mini PCs out there that match or even surpass Apple's offering, both in performance and value. Let's dive into five of the best. ### Why Consider a Mini PC Over the Mac Mini? The Mac Mini is a solid machine, no doubt. But it comes with a premium price tag, especially once you upgrade the RAM or storage. Mini PCs from other brands often give you more bang for your buck. You get similar or better specs for hundreds less, plus the freedom to customize. Another big plus? Flexibility. Many mini PCs let you upgrade components like RAM and storage yourself. That means you can start with a budget-friendly model and boost it later. Apple's soldered parts make that impossible.  ### Top Mini PCs That Deliver More Value Here are five mini PCs that outshine the Mac Mini in key areas: - **Intel NUC 13 Pro**: This little beast packs a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor. It handles heavy multitasking and even light gaming with ease. Prices start around $799, while a comparable Mac Mini costs over $1,299. Plus, you get dual HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports. - **ASUS PN64-E1**: With an Intel Core i7-13700H and support for up to 64GB of RAM, this mini PC is a workstation in a tiny box. It also includes a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for fast networking. At $749, it's a steal compared to the Mac Mini's $1,099 starting point for similar specs. - **HP Elite Mini 800 G9**: Built for business, this one offers Intel vPro technology for remote management. It's quiet, efficient, and starts at $699. The Mac Mini lacks vPro, making this a better choice for IT departments. - **Minisforum Neptune HX99G**: This is for gamers and creators. It features an AMD Ryzen 9 processor and a dedicated Radeon RX 6600M GPU. You can play modern titles at 1080p without breaking a sweat. Price? Around $999, while a Mac Mini with similar graphics power would cost over $2,000. - **Beelink SER6 Pro**: The budget king. For just $499, you get an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. It's perfect for office work, streaming, and light editing. The Mac Mini starts at $599 for an M2 chip, but you get less RAM and storage. > "Mini PCs prove you don't need to spend a fortune for desktop power. The competition is fierce, and the Mac Mini isn't always the winner." ### Key Features to Compare When choosing a mini PC, look beyond the price tag. Consider these factors: - **Upgradability**: Most mini PCs let you swap out RAM and storage. The Mac Mini does not. - **Ports**: Many mini PCs offer more USB-A ports, HDMI, and Ethernet options. Apple relies heavily on USB-C. - **Cooling**: Mini PCs often have better thermal designs, meaning less fan noise under load. - **Operating System**: Windows or Linux give you more software compatibility. macOS is great but limited. ### Final Thoughts The Mac Mini is a fine computer, but it's not the only game in town. Mini PCs from Intel, ASUS, HP, Minisforum, and Beelink offer competitive performance at lower prices. Whether you need a workhorse for the office or a compact gaming rig, there's a mini PC that fits your needs and budget. So before you drop over a grand on a Mac Mini, check out these alternatives. You might save hundreds and get more features in the process.