Minisforum has reintroduced its EliteMini NAB9 mini-PC lineup nearly a year after issuing a recall for the original NAB9 units due to faulty capacitor materials. The company is now expanding the series with the NAB9S, which is available for purchase worldwide.
Processor upgrade and cooling improvements
While the existing NAB9 and NAB9 Plus rely on Intel’s Core i9-12900HK, the new NAB9S adopts the Core i9-13900HK. Prospective buyers should note an error on Minisforum’s global website, which currently lists the more powerful Core i9-13900HX rather than the chip actually installed. Setting that discrepancy aside, the 13th-generation processor delivers faster single-core performance, aided by a 400 MHz frequency increase across its six Golden Cove performance cores. The updated hardware also features a redesigned cooling solution with dual heat pipes and dual airflow channels.
Connectivity trade-offs and port selection
The move to the newer platform comes with some port reductions. The OCuLink connector present on earlier models has been eliminated, and the NAB9S also lacks a USB4 port. Connectivity instead relies on the following interfaces:
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (data only)
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 1x 2.5 GbE RJ45 Ethernet
- 1x 3.5 mm audio combo jack
- 1x DC power input
Pricing and configurations
Pricing for the barebones NAB9S starts at JPY 69,599 in Japan, €429 in Europe, £369 in the UK, and $399 in the United States. A fully equipped configuration with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD is offered at $759 through both the company’s official website and major online retail channels.
Sources: minisforumpc.eu, www.minisforum.jp, www.minisforum.uk, store.minisforum.com