 |
| The MNT Station mini PC Enclosure comes in three colorways. |
The open-source hardware landscape has been eagerly awaiting a more compact solution from the team at MNT, and it appears the wait is finally over. For enthusiasts who have followed the German company since its inception in 2019, the announcement of the MNT Station marks a significant evolution in the brand’s lineup. While MNT made waves with the highly modular and repairable Reform laptop, the new Station takes that same philosophy and distills it into a sleek, desktop-friendly mini PC form factor.
The announcement is particularly exciting for existing customers. The MNT Station isn’t just a new computer you have to buy outright; it is designed as a modular housing for the technology you might already own. If you are currently running an MNT Reform board, you can simply purchase the Station enclosure and "swap in" your existing mainboard to transform your laptop into a stationary workstation.
Precision Engineering and Modular Design
Let’s be clear about what the MNT Station actually is: it is, at its core, a precision-engineered enclosure for the company’s mainboards. But to call it a mere "case" would be underselling the build quality on offer. The enclosure is fully CNC milled from anodized aluminum, a manufacturing choice that should give the device a distinctly premium, durable feel reminiscent of high-end audio equipment or industrial machinery. The dimensions are compact, measuring in at around 28 x 13.3 x 2.6 cm (roughly 11 x 5 x 1 inches), making it a perfect fit for a minimalist desk setup or a homelab shelf.
The true star of the show, however, is the newly announced MNT Reform Mainboard 3.0. This board features the iconic 200-pin processor module standard that MNT has championed. This architecture essentially allows customers to "slap on" any compatible SoC module, ensuring that the device never truly becomes obsolete. In an era of planned obsolescence, the Station offers a refreshing alternative: upgrade the brain, keep the body.
 |
| The MNT Reform Mainboard 3.0 features a 200-pin compute module connector. |
The flexibility of the processor module ecosystem is where the Station truly shines. MNT is offering three distinct compute options to cater to different needs, ranging from the hobbyist-favorite Raspberry Pi to more industrial-grade silicon.
The Raspberry Pi CM4 is already well known in the maker community, and arguably needs no introduction. It remains the most budget-friendly entry point into the ecosystem. However, for those looking for raw horsepower or specific architectural features, MNT offers two other compelling modules.
For power users, the Rockchip RK3588 V2-powered module offers up to 32 GB of RAM. The RK3588 SoC is a powerhouse in the ARM world, sporting an eight-core setup consisting of 4 Cortex A76 cores and 4 Cortex A55 CPU cores, paired with a Mali-G610 MP4 GPU. This configuration makes it a beast for multimedia, compilation tasks, and even light gaming.
On the other end of the spectrum is the NXP LS1028A module. This compute module features dual Cortex A72 cores and a Vivante G7000UL GPU paired with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. While lower on raw core count, the NXP option is often favored by developers working on networking or industrial applications due to its specific I/O capabilities and reliability.
For those looking to get started with the Raspberry Pi option, the CM4 module is widely available, though prices have fluctuated recently. You can currently find the Raspberry Pi CM4 with a heatsink on Amazon for around $150, making it an accessible entry into the MNT ecosystem.
Connectivity and Storage
Storage and I/O options on the Station are robust. The device supports up to 256 GB of eMMC storage on the mainboard itself, but also includes a single mini PCIe slot and, crucially, an M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs. This allows users to attach blazing-fast storage without relying solely on soldered memory.
The port selection on the rear of the aluminum chassis covers all the essentials:
- Triple USB 3.0 Type-A ports
- USB Type-C with Power Delivery
- HDMI output
- 1G Ethernet
- 3.5mm audio jack
- SD card slot
Open Source at Heart
Being open-source at heart, the MNT Station, powered by the Reform Mainboard, offers a ton of customizability and developer-focused features. Unlike proprietary machines, all the schematics are publicly available. Rather unsurprisingly, folks with older variations of the MNT Reform Mainboard (versions 2.0 and 2.5) are not left out in the cold; they can also take advantage of the new Station enclosure, making it a worthy upgrade for current owners who want a desktop setup without buying an entirely new computer.
Crowdfunding and Pricing Details
The crowdfunding project for the MNT Station is already underway on Crowd Supply, with the project having already raised nearly $9,100 towards its goal. The funding round is open now but ends on the 25th of September, so interested backers have a finite window to secure the hardware.
If you are interested in supporting the project or viewing the technical breakdown, you can check out the full campaign page here:
Explore the MNT Station on Crowd Supply
As for pricing, the structure is modular, reflecting the nature of the hardware:
- MNT Station Enclosure: $299 (available in Black, Silver, and Petrol)
- MNT Reform Mainboard 3.0: $429 (CPU module not included)
- MNT RK3588 V2 Module (16GB): $899
- MNT LS1028A Module (16GB): $675
- Raspberry Pi CM4 Module (8GB): $160
While the price tag for the higher-end modules is certainly steep compared to commodity mini-PCs, the value proposition here lies in the longevity, transparency, and repairability of the platform. For those committed to the right-to-repair movement and open-source software, the MNT Station is poised to become a centerpiece of the sustainable computing desk.
 |
| The MNT Station features a CNC-milled aluminum enclosure. |