While Apple’s latest Mac mini remains compact, a growing number of Windows-compatible mini desktops now offer greater ports, upgradeability, and specialised configurations for business, AI, and creative workloads, challenging the Mac mini’s dominance.
Apple’s latest Mac mini has a lower starting point for buyers, but it is not the only compact desktop worth considering. For users who need Windows, more ports, or easier internal access, a growing set of mini PCs now offers a different balance of price, power and expandability. The key decision is less about matching Apple specification for specification than about choosing the right mix of connectivity, upgrade paths and workload support.
Among the most business-focused options, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ stands out for its mix of Core Ultra processor choices, tool-free modular construction and strong external connectivity. ASUS says the system is aimed at AI development, data analysis and business use, while also supporting multiple 4K displays and Wi-Fi 7. Independent testing cited by Notebookcheck found strong productivity performance, although fan noise becomes more noticeable under heavy loads.
For users who want more headroom for creative work or local AI tasks, the GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition is a more expensive but better-equipped alternative. Tom’s Hardware and other reviewers describe a compact machine built around AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 platform, with 32GB of DDR5 memory, up to a 2TB SSD and a wide spread of ports including USB4, HDMI 2.1 and dual 2.5Gb Ethernet. Reports from several reviews also note that its cooling is capable, though the system can still become audible when pushed hard.
MINISFORUM’s AI X1 Pro-470 pushes further towards expandability. According to Tom’s Hardware, its strongest selling points are practical ones: three M.2 slots, dual USB4, OCuLink support for an external graphics card and networking for more demanding desktop or lab-style setups. That same review also highlighted an important caution: performance improved noticeably once dual-channel memory was enabled, which makes the factory RAM layout worth checking before purchase.
At the lower end of the price range, the Beelink SER9 Pro and GMKtec M6 Ultra cover very different budgets. Notebookcheck found the Beelink’s Ryzen 7 H 255 to be a strong all-rounder, while its integrated Radeon 780M remains useful for light gaming and GPU work; its soldered memory, however, limits future upgrades. GMKtec’s M6 Ultra is the cheapest of the group in configured form, and its dual Ethernet ports, two M.2 bays and replaceable memory make it attractive for home-lab use, although reviews have noted less refined cooling.
For most buyers, the right choice depends on what the Mac mini does not offer. If the priority is business deployment, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ is the most conventional fit. If the work involves AI, media or heavy multitasking, the GEEKOM and MINISFORUM systems are more flexible. If the aim is simply to spend less while keeping x86 compatibility and useful upgrade options, the Beelink and GMKtec models are the more practical alternatives. Apple’s machine remains the smallest of the group, but Windows mini PCs now offer more room to grow.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
