Are the Minisforum MS-01, MS-A1, and MS-A2 Worth It?
Detailed Answer
Minisforum has carved out a niche building compact, powerful mini PCs that appeal to home lab enthusiasts, NAS builders, and those seeking alternatives to traditional pre-built NAS units. The MS-01, MS-A1, and MS-A2 each target different use cases — understanding their differences helps determine if they’re right for your needs.
Minisforum MS-01: The Home Server Powerhouse
The MS-01 is Minisforum’s purpose-built server platform, designed specifically for networking, virtualization, and storage workloads. It’s not a general-purpose mini PC — it’s a compact server.
Key Specifications:
- CPU Options: Intel Core i5-12600H or i9-12900H (12th Gen), i9-13900H (13th Gen)
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5 (2x SO-DIMM slots)
- Storage: 2x M.2 NVMe slots + 1x 2.5″ SATA bay
- Networking: 2x 10GbE SFP+ ports + 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports
- Expansion: OCuLink port for external GPU/storage
- Dimensions: Compact form factor (~200 x 200 x 60mm)
Why the MS-01 Stands Out:
The dual 10GbE SFP+ ports are the MS-01’s killer feature. Traditional NAS units at this price point rarely include 10GbE, and when they do, it’s usually a single port. The MS-01 provides enterprise-grade networking in a compact package.
The Intel 12th/13th Gen processors include Quick Sync for hardware transcoding — making the MS-01 an excellent Plex server that can handle 10+ simultaneous 4K transcodes. Combined with the i9 variants’ 14 cores, it’s genuinely powerful for virtualization workloads.
Ideal Use Cases:
- Proxmox/ESXi virtualization host
- High-performance Plex server with hardware transcoding
- Network storage with 10GbE connectivity
- pfSense/OPNsense router (4 NICs total)
- All-in-one home lab server
Limitations:
The MS-01’s primary limitation is storage capacity. With only 2 NVMe slots and 1 SATA bay, you’re limited to approximately 12TB of internal storage (using 4TB NVMe drives + 4TB 2.5″ SSD). For large media libraries, you’ll need external storage via the OCuLink port or network-attached drives.
Pricing:
Barebones (no RAM/storage): $550-750 depending on CPU Configured (32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe): $800-1,100
Verdict: Worth It?
Yes, if you need the networking and processing power. The MS-01 offers exceptional value for home lab users who would otherwise spend $1,500+ on equivalent networking and compute capabilities. It’s not a NAS replacement for bulk storage, but it’s an excellent foundation for a high-performance home server.
Minisforum MS-A1: AMD Ryzen Compact PC
The MS-A1 is a general-purpose mini PC built around AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series APUs, not a server-focused device like the MS-01.
Key Specifications:
- CPU Options: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
- Storage: 2x M.2 NVMe slots
- Networking: 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports
- Graphics: AMD Radeon 780M integrated (RDNA 3)
- Dimensions: Ultra-compact form factor
Strengths:
The AMD Ryzen 7040HS series offers excellent single-threaded performance and surprisingly capable integrated graphics. The Radeon 780M can handle light gaming at 1080p and accelerates video encoding/decoding. Dual 2.5GbE is above average for a mini PC.
Limitations for Server Use:
No 10GbE networking, limited storage expansion, and AMD’s lack of Quick Sync means Plex transcoding relies on software (CPU) or AMD’s VCE/VCN (less efficient than Intel Quick Sync). The MS-A1 is a great general-purpose PC but a mediocre server platform.
Pricing:
Barebones: $450-600 Configured: $650-900
Verdict: Worth It?
Yes for desktop use; no for servers. The MS-A1 is a solid compact PC for everyday computing, light gaming, and productivity. It’s not optimized for NAS or home server applications. Choose the MS-01 instead for those use cases.
Minisforum MS-A2: Upgraded AMD Platform
The MS-A2 iterates on the MS-A1 with improved specifications but maintains the same general-purpose positioning.
Key Differences from MS-A1:
- CPU Options: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS or Ryzen 9 9940HS (newer generations)
- Graphics: AMD Radeon 780M/880M (improved RDNA 3/3.5)
- Storage: Similar 2x NVMe configuration
- Networking: 2x 2.5GbE (unchanged)
Improvements:
The newer Ryzen 8000/9000 series processors offer modest performance gains (10-15%) and improved power efficiency. The integrated graphics improvements benefit light gaming and AI workloads (NPU in newer chips).
Verdict: Worth It?
Only if you need the latest AMD platform. The MS-A2 doesn’t fundamentally change the proposition — it’s a faster general-purpose mini PC, not a server. The price premium over the MS-A1 is rarely justified unless you specifically need the newest processors. For server workloads, the MS-01 remains the better choice despite using Intel.
MS-01 vs MS-A1 vs MS-A2: Comparison
| Feature | MS-01 | MS-A1 | MS-A2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Server/NAS | Desktop PC | Desktop PC |
| CPU | Intel 12th/13th Gen | AMD Ryzen 7040 | AMD Ryzen 8040/9040 |
| Best For | Virtualization, Plex | General computing | General computing |
| 10GbE | Yes (2x SFP+) | No | No |
| 2.5GbE | Yes (2x) | Yes (2x) | Yes (2x) |
| Quick Sync | Yes | No | No |
| Max Internal Storage | ~12TB | ~8TB | ~8TB |
| External Expansion | OCuLink | Limited | Limited |
| Price (Barebones) | $550-750 | $450-600 | $550-700 |
When to Buy vs When to Skip
Buy the MS-01 if:
- You’re building a Proxmox/ESXi home lab
- You need 10GbE networking
- Plex transcoding performance matters
- You want an all-in-one router + server
- Storage needs are under 12TB (or you’ll use external/network storage)
Skip the MS-01 if:
- You need 50TB+ of local storage (get a traditional NAS)
- You want a turnkey, beginner-friendly NAS experience
- You don’t need 10GbE or heavy virtualization
- Budget is under $500 (consider used enterprise gear)
Buy the MS-A1/MS-A2 if:
- You want a compact, powerful desktop PC
- Light gaming on integrated graphics appeals to you
- Home theater PC (HTPC) is the primary use
- You don’t need server-specific features
Skip the MS-A1/MS-A2 if:
- Server, NAS, or networking is your goal
- You need Intel Quick Sync for Plex
- 10GbE connectivity is required
Alternatives to Consider
For NAS-focused builds:
- Synology DS923+ — Turnkey 4-bay NAS with excellent software
- QNAP TS-464 — 4-bay with Intel Celeron, Quick Sync support
- DIY TrueNAS build — Maximum flexibility with used enterprise hardware
For home lab servers:
- Used Dell Optiplex Micro — Similar form factor, much cheaper
- Intel NUC 12/13 Pro — Established platform with good support
- Beelink SER series — AMD Ryzen options at lower prices
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Summary
| Model | Worth It? | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MS-01 | Yes | Home lab, Plex server, 10GbE networking |
| MS-A1 | Situational | Compact desktop, HTPC, light gaming |
| MS-A2 | Rarely | Only if newest AMD platform is required |
The MS-01 is genuinely impressive for its target audience — home lab enthusiasts who want server-grade networking in a compact package. The MS-A1 and MS-A2 are solid mini PCs but don’t offer compelling advantages for NAS or server use cases.