The latest release from Minisforum is the MS-A1 mini PC. This device supports up to AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors and up to 96GB of storage. The unveiling of the MS-A1 follows closely after the introduction of another AMD-based mini PC by the same company. Unlike the Intel-based MS-01, the MS-A1 is designed to support socketed desktop CPUs and includes an OCULink connection for eGPU functionality.
Specifications and Features
The previous Minisforum MS-01 model featured Intel’s H-series laptop CPUs, while the new MS-A1 boasts desktop-class CPUs from the AMD Ryzen 9000 series. The MS-A1 includes models such as the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G Phoenix APUs. According to Minisforum, a BIOS update will be necessary for the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. The Ryzen APUs have a maximum TDP of 65W, but dual-CCD variants like the Ryzen 9 7900X or Ryzen 9 7950X can support up to 100W TDP. This is notably lower than the official TDP specifications, which may result in reduced performance.
The AMD Ryzen APUs supported by the MS-A1 come with RDNA 3-based integrated graphics, but there is no internal discrete GPU support. The available GPUs include the Radeon 780M and Radeon 760M, which are suitable for less demanding graphical tasks. For more intensive graphical operations, external graphics are necessary. The MS-A1 features an OCULink port that allows for eGPU connections with transfer speeds reaching up to 8Gbps, surpassing the Thunderbolt 4’s maximum speed of 5Gbps.
Connectivity and Ports
The Minisforum MS-A1 is equipped with four M.2 2280 memory slots, supporting up to 96GB of storage. It offers a variety of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, an HDMI 2.1 connection, and one DP 2.0 port. Additionally, it includes two USB 2.1 ports, one Type-C port, and an audio jack. However, it lacks 10G Ethernet connectivity, providing only a single 2.5G Ethernet port.
Pricing & Availability
The barebones version of the Minisforum MS-A1 mini PC is available for $259. The 32GB+1TB Ryzen 7 8700G version is priced at $729. Minisforum is currently offering an introductory discount of up to $180 on the MS-A1. For more information, visit the Minisforum website.
