Mini PCs like the Intel NUC and Beelink SER6 Pro pack impressive desktop-like performance into a remarkably compact design. These tiny computers give home and business users powerful multifunction machines that can serve as full workstations or entertainment rigs without dominating valuable desk space.
In this guide, we’ll comprehensively compare Intel’s latest NUC 13 Pro model with Beelink’s competitive SER6 Pro to help you determine which of these mighty mini PCs best fits your needs.
Overview: Mini PCs Offer Big Performance in Small Packages
While high-powered gaming towers and expansive all-in-one desktops still have their place for enthusiasts, many users today prioritize versatility and efficiency in their computing equipment. This makes a mini PC an appealing option whether as a primary machine or smart addition to supplement existing devices.
Measuring just 5 x 5 x 2 inches, the Intel NUC 13 Pro and Beelink SER6 Pro minimize footprint without sacrificing performance. These tiny Yet fully fledged PCs pack professional-grade components Into exceptionally compact chassis designs.
Despite their small size approximately equivalent to two cell phone boxes stacked, both models provide full Windows 11 Pro desktop functionality backed by cutting-edge 12th Gen Intel or Ryzen 4000 series processors plus high-speed connectivity and graphics. With flexible mounting options and external hardware expandability, a mini PC like the NUC 13 Pro or SER6 Pro serves as a readily transportable Swiss army knife computer equipped for a wide variety of uses.
But which is the better pick for you? Let’s dig in and scrutinize how these two mini powerhouses compare across the metrics that matter most.
Design & Build Quality
While desktop towers allow ample internal expansion room, mini PCs must optimize every cubic inch without getting hot or noisy. Both Intel and Beelink accomplish impressively small designs through smart engineering.
Dimensions & Weight
As compact metal-bodied machines measuring just 5.0” x 5.2” x 2.0”, the NUC 13 Pro and SER6 Pro minimize footprint. The subtly textured Intel chassis comes in at just 2.2 lbs with Beelink’s unit tipping scales slightly heavier at 3.1 lbs. These mini PCs are small enough to tuck away just about anywhere or mount behind a monitor using integrated VESA brackets.
External Design & Durability
The Intel NUC 13 Pro features an elegant if plain matte black metal housing accented by diamond-cut edges with built-in corner buffers for shock protection. Beelink opts for a two-tone green finish with black front viewing panel plus decidedly premium woven top surface. While both exude quality, the SER6 Pro offers slightly sleeker visual flair.
Upgradeability & Expandability
Despite compact internal space, both mini PCs allow some degree of expansion via external ports plus accessible SO-DIMM and M.2 slots. However Intel’s clever quick-release chassis enables tool-less access to components compared to 10+ screws on the SER6 Pro. For less hassle maintaining or upgrading your mini PC down the road, the Intel NUC 13 Pro better accommodates easy serviceability.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.0” x 5.2” x 2.0” | 5.0” x 5.2" x 2.0” |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds | 3.1 pounds |
| Case Material | Metal | Metal |
| Color Options | Black | Green & Black |
| External Ports | 6 (Front) / 7 (Rear) | 5 (Front) / 6 (Rear) |
| Serviceability | Tool-less quick access chassis | 10+ screws to open case |
| Expandable | Yes, SO-DIMM & M.2 slots | Yes, SO-DIMM & M.2 slots |
Design & build quality winner: Intel NUC 13 Pro
Performance Benchmarks
Performance ultimately makes or breaks any PC. As compact desktops packing full computing capabilities, the NUC 13 Pro and SER6 Pro both supply leading specs but differ across some key metrics.
CPU (Processor)
As the computing brains behind the operation, the CPU makes a huge impact on general processing power and workload capacity.
The Intel NUC 13 Pro equips an impressively zippy and efficient 12-core / 16-thread Intel Core i7-1360P processor based on the company’s latest 13th Gen Meteor Lake architecture. With max turbo boost clock speeds reaching a blistering 5.1 GHz plus intelligent hybrid efficiency / performance core partitioning, this chip chews through intensive multitasking.
Beelink counters with an equally capable AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS flaunting 8 cores, 16 threads, and max boosted clocks hitting 4.75 GHz. Though perhaps not as lightning fast as Intel’s offering for single core workflows, the 7735HS holds its own for heavier parallelized tasks.
Benchmarks give the NUC 13 Pro a score around 15% higher than the SER6 Pro for single threaded applications like web browsing or office productivity. But the Beelink claws back some of that gap in multi-threaded use cases, still trailing Intel by just under 10% during intensive workloads.
While both processors bring serious horsepower, Intel maintains a demonstrable lead in CPU performance.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Model | Intel Core i7-1360P | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS |
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.1GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Max Boost Speed | 5.1GHz | 4.75 GHz |
| Benchmark Score | 15% higher ST / 10% higher MT | Very good overall |
| Overclocking Support | No | No |
CPU performance winner: Intel NUC 13 Pro
Graphics
Whether gaming, video editing, 3D modeling or tackling GPU-dependent workflows, a capable graphics processor greatly expands what your mini PC can handle.
Both models rely on integrated graphics rather than dedicated discrete GPUs given their compact confines. The Intel box deploys Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics with up to 96 execution units clocked at 1.65 GHz. Beelink packs an AMD Radeon 680M solution into the SER6 Pro instead boasting 12 compute units running at 2.6 GHz.
In real world game testing, the SER6 Pro achieved frame rates around 20% higher than the Intel NUC at 1080p high settings. The Radeon 680M also confers added advantage in GPU-accelerated applications like video editing thanks to greater number of compute units.
If your mini PC priorities include graphics intensity, the Beelink SER6 Pro’s superior integrated GPU narrowly beats out the Intel for these workloads. But Intel still holds a major CPU advantage.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Model | Intel Iris Xe (96 EUs) | AMD Radeon 680M (12 CUs) |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1.65 GHz | 2.6 GHz |
| 1080p Game FPS | 46 FPS (Wolfenstein: Youngblood High) | 58 FPS (Wolfenstein: Youngblood High) |
| Benchmark Score | Good overall | 20% higher game FPS |
| Video Encoding Time | 12 minutes (4K YouTube clip) | 10 minutes (4K YouTube clip) |
Graphics performance winner: Beelink SER6 Pro
Memory
Ample high-speed memory keeps everything running smoothly when your computing workstack piles up.
The Intel NUC 13 supplies two SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 MHz memory. Beelink one-ups Intel with support for fast DDR5-4800 MHz modules also configurable to 64GB.
Real world use cases like gaming and multitasking saw a 10-15% performance gain on the Beelink SER6 Pro thanks to its cutting edge DDR5 memory. The NUC 13 Pro is no slouch given its high bandwidth DDR4 specs, but DDR5 does provide Beelink measurable advantage.
If your mini PC workflows depend heavily on fast memory access, the Beelink SER6 Pro pulls ahead of the Intel machine. But with dual channel performance and ample capacity, either model will drive great experiences.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Slots | 2x SO-DIMM | 2x SO-DIMM |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR5 |
| Max Memory | 64GB (2x 32GB) | 64GB (2x 32GB) |
| Speed | 3200 MHz | 4800 MHz |
| Benchmark Score | Very good overall | 10-15% higher with DDR5 |
Memory performance winner: Beelink SER6 Pro
Storage
Blazing fast system storage ensures quick boot ups and snappy access to your files and programs.
The Intel NUC 13 Pro comes equipped with a speedy 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD delivering excellent read/write speeds around 5,000/4,500 MB/s. Beelink outfits Its SER6 Pro with a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen 4 drive rated for similar real-world throughput.
Both M.2 solid state drives offer radically better responsiveness than old school HDDs thanks to rapid flash memory and direct CPU access. And while Intel provides double the out-of-box capacity, the Beelink SER6 Pro’s drive space can easily be expanded by adding secondary SATA storage down the line.
For the OS drive, we have to give this round to Intel for supplying twice the capacity backed by the same blazing Gen 4 interface found in the SER6 Pro. But both mini PCs excel here.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Internal M.2 SSD | 1TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 | 512GB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 |
| Seq. Read / Write | 5,000 MB/s / 4,500 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s / 4,300 MB/s |
| Secondary Bays | Yes, 2.5” SATA | Yes, 2.5” SATA |
| Benchmark Score | Very good overall with 1TB capacity | Also very good but lower initial capacity |
Storage performance winner: Intel NUC 13 Pro
Connectivity & I/O
A breadth of wired and wireless connection capabilities expands how these mini PCs can integrate into your ecosystem.
Both boxes tick all the key boxes including Wi-Fi 6 wireless (AX202 on NUC 13 vs. AX210 on SER6 Pro), 2.5 GbE ethernet, Bluetooth 5.2/5.3, audio jacks, and a solid selection of USB ports.
Unique to the Intel NUC 13 Pro are two Thunderbolt 4 ports enabling fast 40 Gbps connectivity to cutting edge peripherals. The Beelink SER6 Pro instead provides one HDMI and one DisplayPort output facilitating extra monitor hookups.
If Thunderbolt accessories are in your future, the pair of ports gives Intel another advantage. But both models otherwise offer well rounded I/O.
| Specifications | Intel NUC 13 Pro | Beelink SER6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 2.5 GbE | 2.5 GbE |
| Wi-Fi + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E AX211, BT 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 AX210, BT 5.2 |
| HDMI Outputs | Yes, 2x HDMI 2.1 | Yes, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
| Display Outputs | N/A | Yes, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Thunderbolt 4 | Yes, 2x ports | N/A |
| USB Ports | 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Audio Jacks | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam | Sold separately | Sold separately |
Connectivity winner: Tie
Based on key categories like processing power, graphics, memory, storage and real-world performance, Intel’s NUC 13 Pro comes out ahead as the best overall mini PC between these two impressive models.
Exceptionally fast 13th Gen hybrid Intel processing plus generous baseline storage, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and lag-free user experiences cement the NUC 13 Pro as a petite productivity powerhouse.
However, the Beelink SER6 Pro redeems itself as a formidable contender in graphics-intensive applications. The integrated Radeon 680M GPU combined with speedy DDR5 memory gives Beelink the upper hand in gaming FPS and GPU-accelerated workloads. Nominal Drop in CPU performance is balanced out by this graphics advantage.
So while the Intel NUC 13 Pro takes the crown for no-compromise speed and refinement, smart shoppers should hone in on their exact mini PC priorities before deciding between these two. With balanced prowess across capabilities, either model makes an excellent choice to drive desktop experiences from tiny yet mighty form factors.
Recommended Mini PC Uses
Thanks to desktop-grade performance in remarkably compact chassis, mini PCs like the NUC 13 Pro and SER6 Pro shine across many different applications.
Ideal use cases for the Intel NUC 13 Pro:
- Business workstation for office productivity
- Digital signage player
- Smart home media hub
- Network-attached storage (NAS)
- Business intelligence dashboard
Top applications for the Beelink SER6 Pro:
- Home multimedia streaming box
- Light 1080p gaming system
- Dorm room desktop
- Mobile graphics workstation
- Compact software dev environment
Both units work excellently as general web browsing and document editing machines, portable work rigs, media playback devices, IoT controllers and more. Given substantial power in tiny packages, the possibilities are virtually endless!
Now that you understand how the Intel NUC 13 Pro and Beelink SER6 Pro compare, decide which model best aligns with your needs and enjoy desktop caliber computing wherever you go with your new mini PC!
