Minisforum MS-01 vs MINISFORUM MS-A1
Buy the MS-01 if you want the fastest CPU here and built-in 10GbE SFP+ networking. Buy the MS-A1 if you want a newer platform with four M.2 slots, an NPU, and 8K HDMI. The MS-01 is listed at $679.00 at the lowest daily price recorded on 2026-11-01; no price was given for the MS-A1, so compare its current store prices before deciding.
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Minisforum MS-01
5Choose the MS-01 if you need 14 cores, two 10Gbps SFP+ ports, and two USB4 ports in one small box.
- 14-core i9-13900H is the faster multi-thread CPU of the two
- Two 10Gbps SFP+ ports suit NAS, firewall, and lab builds
- Two 40Gbps USB4 ports with Alt DP
- Listed at $679.00 as of 2026-11-01
- Barebone edition ships with no RAM, SSD, or OS despite the Windows and 32GB/1TB listing fields
- Only three M.2 slots, two of them PCIe 3.0
- HDMI capped at 4K@60Hz
- Older platform with no NPU
What separates them
| Minisforum MS-01 | MINISFORUM MS-A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i9-13900H, 14 cores / 20 threads, up to 5.4 GHz | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G, 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe (integrated) | AMD Radeon 780M (integrated, stronger for gaming) |
| NPU | None listed | 16 TOPS |
| M.2 slots | Three (one PCIe 4.0 x4, one PCIe 3.0 x4, one PCIe 3.0 x2) | Four, all PCIe 4.0 |
| Networking | Two 2.5GbE RJ45 plus two 10Gbps SFP+ | Two 2.5GbE RJ45 |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt | Two USB4 Type-C at 40Gbps with Alt DP | Not listed |
| Video output | HDMI 2.0 at 4K@60Hz, plus USB-C Alt DP | HDMI 2.1 at 8K@60Hz |
Price history
- Minisforum MS-01: lowest $679.00 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $679.00 on Nov 2.
- MINISFORUM MS-A1: lowest $849.90 on Nov 1 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
Minisforum MS-01
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
- GigaParts.comCheck price at GigaParts.com
Specs compared
| Spec | Minisforum MS-01 | MINISFORUM MS-A1 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows | — |
| Processor Brand | Intel CPU | — |
| Number Of Cores | 14-core | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Hard Drive Type | Solid State Drive | — |
| Processor Speed | 5.4 GHz | — |
| Installed Memory | 32 GB RAM | — |
| Drive Capacity | 1 TB Storage | — |
| Edition | MS01-S1390(0+0) | — |
| Processor | — | AMD Ryzen 7 8700G |
| CPU Cores |
What reviewers say
Minisforum MS-01
Only two ratings are on record, both 5 out of 5, so reception data is thin. Widely reported owner feedback on this model centers on its port selection and compact size.
- Unusual 10G SFP+ and dual 2.5G networking for the size
- Easy access to RAM and drive slots
- Quiet in light use
- Fan noise rises under sustained CPU load
- Barebone buyers must budget for RAM and storage
- Integrated graphics cap gaming performance
MINISFORUM MS-A1
Owner discussion of the MS-A1 centers on its four M.2 slots and dual 2.5G networking as the reasons to buy, with the barebone format and integrated graphics as the main caveats.
- Four NVMe slots at this size
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a home lab or firewall?
- The MS-01. Its two 10Gbps SFP+ ports and two 2.5GbE ports cover router and NAS duties without add-in cards. The MS-A1 has only two 2.5GbE ports.
- Which is better for gaming?
- The MS-A1. The Radeon 780M is clearly faster than Iris Xe for integrated graphics. Neither is a match for a discrete GPU.
- Which handles more storage?
- The MS-A1, with four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. The MS-01 has three slots, and two run at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
- Which is faster for video editing and rendering?
- The MS-01. Its 14-core i9-13900H has more cores and threads than the 8-core Ryzen 7 8700G, which matters in multi-threaded exports and renders.
- Is the MS-01 worth the extra?
- At $679.00 as of 2026-11-01 it is the only one with a stated price. Pay the premium only if you need 10GbE and USB4; otherwise the MS-A1's newer platform and four M.2 slots are the better fit.
- Do either come with RAM and storage?
- The MS-01 listing is the MS01-S1390(0+0) barebone edition, so budget for DDR5 SODIMMs and an M.2 SSD. The MS-A1 specs list slots only, so confirm what the seller includes.
