HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
System76 Meerkat vs Beelink Mini S12 Pro
We compare the System76 Meerkat and Beelink Mini S12 Pro head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
Our Pick
Check Price on AmazonSystem76 Meerkat
Scored 9.1/10 in our testing
Best Overall
System76 Meerkat
Best Linux-first mini PC with Pop!_OS preinstalled
Overall:9.1/10Winner
Check price on Amazon Best Budget
Beelink Mini S12 Pro
Best cheap Linux mini PC under $180
Overall:8.5/10
Check price on Amazon Score Breakdown
| System76 Meerkat | Category | Beelink Mini S12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2/10 ✓ | Performance | 8/10 |
| 9/10 ✓ | Features | 7.8/10 |
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Ease of Use | 8.5/10 |
| 8.5/10 | Value | ✓ 9.5/10 |
| 9.1/10 ✓ | Overall | 8.5/10 |
Specs Comparison
| System76 Meerkat | Spec | Beelink Mini S12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS preinstalled | OS | Intel N100 |
| Intel Core i5/i7 | CPU | 16 GB |
| Linux-optimized firmware | Feature | Under $180 |
System76 Meerkat
Pros
- + Linux-first design
- + Pop!_OS preinstalled
- + Perfect driver support
Cons
- − Premium pricing
- − Limited availability
- − No discrete GPU
Beelink Mini S12 Pro
Pros
- + Under $180 complete
- + N100 Linux support excellent
- + Fanless-quiet operation
Cons
- − Low power CPU
- − Ships with Windows
- − Basic build
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the System76 Meerkat comes out on top with an overall score of 9.1/10. System76 Meerkat is built for Linux from the ground up — every driver works perfectly out of the box.
Buy the System76 Meerkat on AmazonRead the full Best Linux Mini PCs 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.