The mini PC landscape is buzzing with excitement as Minisforum prepares to officially unveil its most ambitious small-form-factor (SFF) system to date: the MS-02 Ultra. Leaked details and an official-looking poster, which first surfaced on the r/MiniPCs subreddit, have given us a comprehensive look at what promises to be a powerhouse compact workstation centered around Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake HX processors.
The system is slated for a full showcase at the Japan Autumn IT Week 2025, beginning October 22nd, but the early leak has already revealed a machine that blurs the line between a traditional mini PC and a full-fledged desktop.
At the Heart: Intel's Arrow Lake HX Power
The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra is set to be powered by the flagship Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, a top-tier chip from the Arrow Lake HX series. This CPU boasts a formidable 24-core configuration and includes Intel's next-generation Arc integrated graphics. While the iGPU is competent for everyday tasks, the real story here isn't the graphics built into the CPU; it's the unprecedented expansion potential Minisforum has built around it.
*The leak, originating from a Reddit post, provided the community with a first glimpse and sparked significant discussion about the MS-02's capabilities.*
The Game-Changer: Triple PCIe Expansion Slots
What truly sets the MS-02 Ultra apart from every other mini PC on the market is its inclusion of three separate PCIe expansion slots. This is a level of flexibility previously unheard of in a chassis of this size. The breakdown is as follows:
- 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
- 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot
- 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
This configuration opens up a world of possibilities. Users can install a discrete graphics card in either the high-speed PCIe 5.0 x16 or the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, potentially transforming this tiny PC into a competent gaming rig or a GPU-accelerated workstation for rendering and AI tasks. The other slots can be used for specialized add-in cards, such as 10-gigabit network adapters, high-end audio interfaces, or additional storage controllers.
However, potential buyers should note two key considerations. First, the physical constraints of the 4-liter chassis will likely limit the size of the GPU that can be installed, ruling out large, triple-fan desktop models. Second, and more technically, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX supports a total of 24 PCIe lanes. When all three slots are populated, the bandwidth is shared, meaning the x16 slots may not operate at their full, rated speed simultaneously. This is a common characteristic of many desktop motherboards and is a necessary compromise for such expansive connectivity in a small package.
*Intel's official specifications for the Core Ultra 9 285HX confirm the 24-lane PCIe support, which is crucial for understanding the system's expansion capabilities.*
Robust Memory, Storage, and Networking
Beyond the PCIe slots, the MS-02 Ultra doesn't skimp on other specs. It supports up to a massive 256 GB of DDR5 RAM via four SODIMM slots, ensuring it can handle heavy multitasking and memory-intensive applications.
For storage, Minisforum has included four M.2 slots, all supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 SSDs. This allows for a total theoretical storage capacity of up to 16 TB, providing ample space for large projects, game libraries, and media files. For those looking to build out their storage, drives like the 2 TB Samsung 990 Evo Plus offer a great balance of speed and value.
*The popular Samsung 990 Evo Plus is an example of an SSD that would be a perfect fit for the MS-02 Ultra's M.2 slots.*
The port selection is equally impressive, catering to both home and professional users:
- 2x 80 Gbps USB4 v2 (Thunderbolt 4 compatible)
- 1x 40 Gbps USB4
- 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x 3.5 mm audio jack
- 1x 2.5 Gigabit LAN
- 1x 25 Gigabit SFP+
- 1x 10 Gigabit Ethernet
This extensive array of networking options, including the high-speed 10G and 25G Ethernet ports, underscores Minisforum's positioning of the MS-02 Ultra as a serious workstation for content creators, developers, and network professionals.
*Publications like Liliputing have already begun covering the MS-02 Ultra, highlighting its potential to disrupt the compact workstation market.*
The Final Word
With a built-in 350 W power supply, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and an "upgrade-friendly" design, the Minisforum MS-02 Ultra is shaping up to be a landmark release. It directly addresses one of the biggest limitations of mini PCs—lack of expansion—by offering a level of customization typically reserved for much larger systems.
Minisforum's own social media channels have begun teasing new products, building anticipation for the official reveal later this month.
While pricing and final availability remain under wraps, the MS-02 Ultra is a clear statement of intent from Minisforum. It demonstrates that the mini PC form factor is evolving beyond basic computing and media consumption into a viable platform for high-performance, professional-grade workstations.
For more context on Minisforum's recent releases, you can check out their latest announcements.
Tech sites like GSMArena provide coverage of Minisforum's broader product lineup, showing the company's expanding focus on powerful, compact systems.
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