MINISFORUM Unveils Next-Gen Mini PCs at Japan IT Week Spring
While Japan IT Week Spring in Tokyo is an event not to the masses, it doesn't mean we can't catch a glimpse of some of the sweet tech on display. MINISFORUM this year is a company well known for pushing the boundaries of mini PCs and had some seriously cool unreleased products to share. Check out what caught our attention.
The Star of the Show: The MINISFORUM MS-A2
If you're familiar with MINISFORUM, you'll know that their "MS" series is all about serious performance and upgradability in a small package. The MS-01, with its standout features like SFP+ networking and a PCIe slot, really caused a splash in 2023. The MS-A1 came next, but perhaps didn't quite achieve the same level of hype for some.
Well, buckle up for the MS-A2! This new model is MINISFORUM's answer, bringing back some of the most sought-after features, but now powered by AMD's latest and greatest. The top-of-the-line model uses the monstrosity 16-core/32-thread Ryzen 9 9955HX (there's also a Ryzen 9 7945HX version). Yes, it comes with those coveted SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a PCIe expansion slot. And that useful toolless design for simple access? Back again!
Storage and memory are impressive as well. You have two SO-DIMM slots supporting a maximum of 96GB DDR5-5200 RAM. Storage is done through three M.2 slots with varying PCIe speeds and form factor support, giving you lots of options for high-speed storage. Connectivity comprises a number of USB Type-C and Type-A ports, normal and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. All this in a package with just 196×189×48 mm dimensions. Just don't you remember, despite having a PCIe slot, physical space available will accommodate only single-slot, low-profile graphics or other expansion cards.
Gaming Beast in the Making: The G1 and G11 Pro
MINISFORUM also teased something for the gamers looking for a console alternative: G1 and G11 Pro gaming mini PCs. These are looking to offer an equal experience as a PlayStation 5 in a sophisticated, thin form factor. They're due to launch sometime in the third quarter of 2025.
The good news here? They're large enough to support a desktop-grade GeForce RTX 5060 GPU (up to 120W!). Even better, there's room where users can perhaps upgrade the GPU themselves down the line. These are scaleable with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX CPU, as well as support for a couple of M.2 SSDs. Coming with a built-in 350W power supply, hooking this up into your TV should be tidy and tidy.
The G1/G11 Pro features connectivity that includes USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2 outputs, audio jacks, and a staggering 5 Gigabit Ethernet port! Physical size is 216×315×57.2 mm.
MINISFORUM Keeps Innovating
Seeing those new machines at Japan IT Week Spring makes us understand why MINISFORUM is such a buzzworthy name among mini PCs. They are certainly not afraid to experiment and pack tons of serious horsepower and groundbreaking features into compact bodies. We can't wait to get our hands on the MS-A2 and the G1/G11 Pro sometime later in 2025
Source: Pc watch (Jp)
