Apple
Mac mini (M4)
$599
Released 2024-11
Best Mini Pcs · head-to-head
Mac mini (M4) vs GMKtec NucBox K8
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. GMKtec NucBox K8 is cheaper at $359.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
GMKtec
GMKtec NucBox K8
$359.99Cheaper
Released 2024
Which is better: the Mac mini (M4) or GMKtec NucBox K8?
The GMKtec NucBox K8 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The GMKtec NucBox K8 is the cheaper at $359.99. The GMKtec NucBox K8 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Mac mini (M4) | GMKtec NucBox K8 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $599 | $359.99 |
| Brand | Apple | GMKtec |
| Released | 2024-11 | 2024 |
| CPU | Apple M4 (10-core, 4P+6E) | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Max RAM (GB) | 32 | 64 |
| Storage type | NVMe SSD (proprietary, soldered) | M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe (dual slots) |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (MediaTek RZ616) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10 GbE) | 2.5 GbE (dual, Realtek 8125) |
| Ports summary | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (rear, 40 Gbps), 2x USB-C / USB 3 (front, 10 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio | 1x USB4, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 2x 2.5 GbE RJ45, 3.5mm audio |
| Dimensions (mm) | 127 x 127 x 50 | 128.8 x 127 x 51.8 |
| Release year | 2024 | 2024 |
Sources — Mac mini (M4): support.apple.com (verified 2026-06-15). GMKtec NucBox K8: gmktec.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Mac mini (M4) and GMKtec NucBox K8?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- CPU: Mac mini (M4) Apple M4 (10-core, 4P+6E) vs GMKtec NucBox K8 AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, up to 5.1 GHz)
- Max RAM (GB): Mac mini (M4) 32 vs GMKtec NucBox K8 64
- Storage type: Mac mini (M4) NVMe SSD (proprietary, soldered) vs GMKtec NucBox K8 M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe (dual slots)
- Wi-Fi standard: Mac mini (M4) Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs GMKtec NucBox K8 Wi-Fi 6 (MediaTek RZ616)
- Ethernet: Mac mini (M4) Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10 GbE) vs GMKtec NucBox K8 2.5 GbE (dual, Realtek 8125)
- Ports summary: Mac mini (M4) 3x Thunderbolt 4 (rear, 40 Gbps), 2x USB-C / USB 3 (front, 10 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio vs GMKtec NucBox K8 1x USB4, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 2x 2.5 GbE RJ45, 3.5mm audio
- Dimensions (mm): Mac mini (M4) 127 x 127 x 50 vs GMKtec NucBox K8 128.8 x 127 x 51.8
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Mac mini (M4)
Three testers - Notebookcheck, Tom's Guide and TechRadar - each ran the base M4 Mac mini (not the M4 Pro) through their own benchmark suites and all three recommend it. Geekbench 6 single-core landed at 3,838 on all three, and multi-core at 14,838 on the two Future-owned outlets versus 15,072 at Notebookcheck. All three independently measured the same 5 x 5 x 2-inch chassis and all three fault the power button Apple moved to the underside. Only Notebookcheck instrumented power and acoustics, recording 2.6-2.7 W at idle against a 62.5 W peak. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Radically smaller 5 x 5 x 2-inch redesign, measured identically by all three; M4 delivers class-leading single-core speed and effortless everyday performance; 16GB of RAM now standard on the base model, double the M2's.
Flagged: Power button moved to the underside, unreachable without lifting the machine; Expensive RAM and SSD upgrade pricing; No user-serviceable upgrades or repairs.
GMKtec NucBox K8
Only one whitelisted tester, TechRadar, hands-on reviewed the exact base NucBox K8 (Ryzen 7 8845HS). TechRadar calls it the fastest AMD-powered NUC it had tested, praising CPU power, dual M.2 Gen4 slots and dual 2.5GbE LAN at a competitive price, while flagging the all-plastic silver build, awkward internal access and lack of Thunderbolt with only one of the CPU's two USB 4.0 ports exposed. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Fastest AMD-powered NUC TechRadar had tested; CPU performance beats its Intel Core Ultra 5 comparison; Strong connectivity: dual M.2 PCIe Gen4 slots plus dual 2.5GbE LAN; Competitive price for the performance and features on offer.
Flagged: All-plastic chassis with silver paint that doesn't feel like metal; Awkward internal access to reach RAM and M.2 slots; No Thunderbolt and only one of the CPU's two USB 4.0 ports exposed.