Apple Mac mini M5 Pro vs GMKtec K13
Check current prices
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB SSD
GMKtec K13
Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Storage |
1Is it fast for normal work?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Base processor configuration 15 CPU cores
The retail base configuration uses a 15-core M5 Pro CPU with five super cores and ten performance cores. This is a manufacturer specification, not an independent productivity result.
Manufacturer processor specification · MHQN4LL/A base retail configuration
Apple -
Speedometer Not available
-
4K media playback Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Base processor configuration Not available
-
Speedometer 32.5 points
Lon.TV measured 32.5 in the browser-based Speedometer test on the exact 16GB/1TB configuration.
BrowserBench Speedometer · High Performance BIOS profile; Windows 11 Pro; Core Ultra 7 256V; 16GB LPDDR5X; 1TB SSD
Lon.TV · 7:15 -
4K media playback 4K60 playback checked
Lon.TV observed a few dropped frames when a 4K60 YouTube video started, then uninterrupted playback afterward.
YouTube 4K60 playback · High Performance BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 7:04
2Can it handle sustained work?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Dedicated media engines H.264, HEVC, and ProRes
M5 Pro includes hardware H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW encode and decode support. This confirms workload support but is not a sustained-performance test.
Video encode and decode capability · M5 Pro media engine
Apple -
Time Spy stress-test stability Not available
-
4K editing behavior Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Dedicated media engines Not available
-
Time Spy stress-test stability 99.6 %
Lon.TV's exact review unit passed the 3DMark Time Spy stress test at 99.6 percent, with the CPU reaching about 60 C.
3DMark Time Spy stress test · High Performance BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 10:19 -
4K editing behavior Simple 4K60 timeline checked
A simple 4K60 DaVinci Resolve timeline played transitions without reported dropped frames, while Lon.TV cautioned that heavier effects were slower on the integrated GPU.
DaVinci Resolve timeline playback · 4K60 project; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 7:28
3Can it game?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Graphics hardware 16-core GPU
The base configuration has a 16-core Apple GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and Neural Accelerators. No exact-chassis independent gaming result was available at launch.
Manufacturer graphics specification · Base 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU configuration
Apple -
3DMark Time Spy Not available
-
Forza Horizon 5 Not available
-
Counter-Strike 2 Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Graphics hardware Not available
-
3DMark Time Spy 4375 points
Lon.TV measured 4,375 in 3DMark Time Spy on the exact K13 configuration.
3DMark Time Spy · High Performance BIOS profile; Intel Arc 140V; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 9:51 -
Forza Horizon 5 89 fps
ETA PRIME reported an 89 FPS average in Forza Horizon 5 at native 1080p high without XeSS upscaling.
Forza Horizon 5 gameplay · 1920x1080; High preset; native rendering; exact 16GB/1TB configuration
ETA PRIME · 6:52 -
Counter-Strike 2 110 fps
Team Pandory observed more than 110 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p low on its exact 16GB/1TB unit.
Counter-Strike 2 gameplay · 1920x1080; Low settings; result reported as over 110 FPS
Team Pandory · 6:19
4Is it loud or hot?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Manufacturer idle noise 5 dBA
Apple lists a typical operator-position sound pressure level of 5 dBA at idle and notes that acoustics may vary by configuration.
System idle · Operator position; standard Mac mini system; manufacturer acoustical test
Apple -
Balanced-mode idle temperature Not available
-
Combined stress temperature Not available
-
Fan character Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Manufacturer idle noise Not available
-
Balanced-mode idle temperature 38 C
Team Pandory measured 38 C at idle in the Balanced profile and described the machine as whisper quiet.
Windows idle · Balanced BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 9:41 -
Combined stress temperature 80 C
After about five minutes of combined CPU and GPU stress, Team Pandory observed the CPU settle near 80 C. The fan was louder than in normal use, but the reviewer framed this as a worst-case load.
Combined CPU and GPU stress test · Approximately five minutes; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:20 -
Fan character Audible under load
Lon.TV also found the fan audible under load but not offensively loud, and said it did not run unnecessarily during light use. Neither review supplied a calibrated sound-pressure measurement.
Subjective fan-noise assessment · High Performance BIOS profile; measurement distance and room floor not reported
Lon.TV · 10:37
5How much electricity does it use?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Maximum continuous power 155 W maximum
Apple specifies a 155 W maximum continuous power rating for the current Mac mini chassis. This is a design limit, not typical wall-power consumption.
Manufacturer electrical rating · 100-240 V AC input
Apple -
Balanced-mode idle wall power Not available
-
Balanced-mode gaming wall power Not available
-
Combined stress wall power Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Maximum continuous power Not available
-
Balanced-mode idle wall power 6 W
Team Pandory measured just over 6 W at the wall while the exact review unit was idle in Balanced mode.
Windows idle · Balanced BIOS profile; wall measurement; result reported as just over 6 W
Team Pandory · 9:41 -
Balanced-mode gaming wall power 36 W
The same review measured about 36 W at the wall while gaming in Balanced mode.
Game workload · Balanced BIOS profile; wall measurement; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 9:54 -
Combined stress wall power 48 W
Team Pandory measured about 48 W at the wall during its combined CPU and GPU stress test.
Combined CPU and GPU stress test · Approximately five minutes; wall measurement; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:20
6Can I upgrade and connect everything?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Memory is upgradeable No
-
Storage is upgradeable No
-
Thunderbolt is present Yes
-
Display support Up to 3 displays
The M5 Pro model supports up to three external displays through any combination of its Thunderbolt 5 and HDMI ports.
Manufacturer display-support check · M5 Pro Mac mini
Apple -
USB4 is present Not available
-
Dual-storage access Not available
-
5GbE and dual USB4 Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Memory is upgradeable No
-
Storage is upgradeable Yes
-
Thunderbolt is present Not available
-
Display support Not available
-
USB4 is present Yes
-
Dual-storage access 2x M.2; fixed memory
Team Pandory confirmed quick access to both M.2 slots. GMKtec rates the primary slot at PCIe 4.0 x4 and the secondary at PCIe 4.0 x2; the on-package memory cannot be replaced.
Hands-on expansion check · Exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:38 -
5GbE and dual USB4 5GbE + 2x USB4
Lon.TV saturated the 5GbE interface in a local network transfer and confirmed both 40Gbps USB4 ports worked with Thunderbolt devices. GMKtec also specifies USB-C power input and display output on both ports.
Network and peripheral checks · Exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 2:29
7Is it good value?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Launch price $1,699
Apple lists the base M5 Pro Mac mini with a 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD at $1,699 in the United States.
Manufacturer launch-price check · MHQN4LL/A: 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD
Apple -
Manufacturer price Not available
-
Verified Amazon configuration Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Launch price Not available
-
Manufacturer price $739.99
GMKtec listed the exact US 16GB/1TB configuration at $739.99 when checked, reduced from a $949.99 compare-at price.
Manufacturer retail-price check · K13-1-34S; 16GB LPDDR5X; 1TB SSD; US variant
GMKtec -
Verified Amazon configuration B0GFSZ63YB
Amazon ASIN B0GFSZ63YB was active for the exact K13 16GB/1TB configuration from seller GMKtec-Shop when checked.
Exact retailer-variant check · K13 16+1TB; seller GMKtec-Shop
GMKtec
8Will it be dependable?
Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
-
Hardware warranty 1 year
Apple's U.S. limited warranty covers Mac hardware against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the original retail purchase date.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check
Apple -
Windows image check Not available
-
Ubuntu compatibility Not available
-
Limited warranty Not available
GMKtec K13
-
Hardware warranty Not available
-
Windows image check Clean scans; unwanted AI app
Lon.TV reported no malware after several checks, but criticized a preinstalled Chinese-language Cherry AI assistant as unwanted software. Team Pandory independently reported clean Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes scans while raising the same bundled-app concern.
Fresh-install malware and bundled-software check · Exact 16GB/1TB review units
Lon.TV · 5:34 -
Ubuntu compatibility Core devices worked
Lon.TV reported working video, audio, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet with a current Ubuntu release on the exact machine.
Ubuntu live-system compatibility check · Ubuntu version not named; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 11:01 -
Limited warranty 1 year
GMKtec states a one-year warranty and a seven-day return period for direct purchases. No long-term failure-rate data was found for this 2026 model.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check · GMKtec direct store
GMKtec
References
-
Apple. Apple Mac mini technical specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: M5 Pro with 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD
-
Apple. Buy Mac mini with M5 Pro. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: MHQN4LL/A: M5 Pro with 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD
Disclosure: Manufacturer retail configuration and price.
-
Apple. Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty – Mac. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Apple-branded Mac hardware sold in the United States
-
GMKtec. GMKtec K13 Mini PC Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: K13-1-34S: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X-8533, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, US variant
Disclosure: Manufacturer product specifications, variant identity, direct price, availability, warranty, and return-policy claims.
-
Lon.TV. GMKTec K13 Mini PC Review : 5 Gig Ethernet & Intel Meteor Lake Chipset. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
Disclosure: GMKtec provided the unit free of charge. The reviewer said no other compensation was received and GMKtec did not review or approve the video. The description contains compensated affiliate links.
-
Team Pandory. This Intel Mini PC Beats 780M… Seriously [GMKtec NucBox K13 Review]. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Disclosure: Product provided for review; the channel states no payment was received. The description contains affiliate links.
-
ETA PRIME. Intel FINALLY Fixed Mini PC Gaming! GMKtec K13 First Look. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
Disclosure: The video contains an unrelated URCDKeys sponsorship. The description links the exact 16GB/1TB K13 through an Amazon affiliate URL but does not state how the review unit was obtained.
Value for money
No value comparison is available. It requires eligible test scores and at least four current price observations in seven days.
Specification differences
Differences supported by the listed manufacturer specifications
Higher listed specifications for Apple Mac mini M5 Pro
- Supports 48 GB more memory
Higher listed specifications for GMKtec K13
- Provides 2 storage slots versus 0
- Uses a smaller 0.6 liter enclosure
- Has a manufacturer list price about $749 lower
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | Mac mini M5 Pro | K13 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M5 Pro | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
| Cores / threads | 15 / 15 | 8 / 8 |
| Processor default TDP | Not disclosed | 17 W |
| Integrated graphics | 16-core Apple GPU | Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe cores |
Memory and storage
| Specification | Mac mini M5 Pro | K13 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | Unified memory onboard | LPDDR5X-8533 on-package |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 16 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | No | No |
| Storage slots | 0 | 2 |
Connectivity
| Specification | Mac mini M5 Pro | K13 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE; configurable to 10GbE | 5GbE |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | Yes | No |
Size and price
| Specification | Mac mini M5 Pro | K13 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 0.81 liters | 0.6 liters |
| List price | $1,699 | $950 |
| Product class | macOS pro workflows | Compact low-power gaming |