Less than a month after its high-profile launch, Minisforum is making its powerful M1-1295 mini-PC accessible to a whole new audience with a budget-friendly barebones configuration. Here's what's changed and why it matters for your next compact computing setup.
If you've been eyeing a powerful, desktop-replacement mini-PC but were hesitant about the price tag, Minisforum has just delivered a welcome surprise. The company has quietly introduced a new, significantly cheaper way to get your hands on its recently released M1-1295 model, a machine built around Intel's formidable Core i9-12950HX processor.
This move effectively opens up the high-performance mini-PC segment to DIY enthusiasts and budget-conscious buyers who don't mind sourcing their own memory and storage.
A Quick Recap: What is the M1-1295?
For those just catching up, Minisforum officially unveiled the M1-1295 on October 3rd. The headline feature was its Intel Core i9-12950HX CPU, a 16-core, 24-thread mobile powerhouse from Intel's Alder Lake-HX family. This chip was designed to deliver desktop-level performance in a mobile form factor, making it a perfect fit for a compact PC.
In terms of raw CPU power, benchmarks have shown the i9-12950HX to be a very competitive contender. It trails AMD's latest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 by only a marginal amount in most CPU-intensive tasks. Where the Intel integrated graphics does fall behind, however, is in GPU-heavy workloads like gaming, where the Ryzen chip's more advanced Radeon 890M iGPU holds a clear advantage.
The Big News: A Barebones Option for Maximum Flexibility
Initially, the M1-1295 was only available as a pre-configured system bundled with 32GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD. That has now changed.
Minisforum has just launched a barebones version of the M1-1295. This means the unit arrives without any RAM or storage installed, putting the power of customization directly in the user's hands. For reference, the mini-PC's specs sheet is impressive for a machine of its size:
- RAM: Supports up to 96GB of DDR4-3200 memory across two SO-DIMM slots.
- Storage: Features two M.2 2280 slots for PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs, allowing for a theoretical maximum of 8TB of high-speed storage.
This "bring your own" approach isn't just about customization; it's a major win for the wallet.
The Price Cut: How Much Can You Save?
The financial incentive for opting for the barebones model is substantial. The pre-configured units with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage retail for around $469.
By contrast, the new barebones M1-1295 is available directly from Minisforum for just $329.
That's a price reduction of approximately 30%, making the core platform and its powerful processor far more accessible. This is a classic smart trade-off: you invest a little time and effort into selecting your own components in exchange for significant savings and a system tailored to your exact needs.
You can check out this new budget-friendly option directly at the official Minisforum M1-1295 store page.
Connectivity and Ports: No Compromises Here
Whether you choose the barebones or pre-configured model, you're getting the same robust connectivity suite. The M1-1295 is equipped with a MediaTek MT7902 card for both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast and modern wireless connectivity. For wired networks, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port powered by a Realtek RTL8125 controller provides plenty of bandwidth for networking and NAS duties.
The rear I/O panel is particularly generous, featuring three video outputs (two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4), allowing users to drive multiple 4K displays simultaneously—a boon for productivity and multi-tasking.
Where to Buy: A Quick Comparison
As it stands, there are now two distinct paths to ownership:
- The DIY Route (Barebones): For $329, you get the mini-PC chassis, motherboard, and cooler with the i9-12950HX pre-installed. You then purchase your own compatible DDR4 RAM and NVMe SSDs. This is the best option for those who have spare components or want to hunt for deals.
- The Convenience Route (Pre-configured): For those who want a plug-and-play experience, the pre-configured models with RAM and storage already installed are available. It's worth noting that these are currently slightly cheaper on Amazon than on Minisforum's own site, so it pays to shop around. You can find the ready-to-go models on Amazon via this link.
The Bottom Line: A Strategic and Welcome Move
Minisforum's decision to release a barebones M1-1295 so soon after its initial launch is a clever and consumer-friendly strategy. It immediately addresses the primary barrier to entry—cost—without sacrificing the core value proposition of the hardware.
For power users, tinkerers, and anyone building a powerful home office or media center on a budget, the $329 barebones M1-1295 just became one of the most compelling mini-PC options on the market. It proves that you don't need to sacrifice performance for size, and now, you don't necessarily have to sacrifice your budget for it either.
