Minisforum, a Chinese company famed for selling range of mini PCs, has launched an affordable ARM-based mini workstation with UEFI boot, making it easier to run Linux distributions without the need for custom firmware or bootloaders.
The MS-R1 is designed for local inference tasks, Android VM containers in Docker and edge computing. It could (distro dependant) be used as an ARM-powered general purpose desktop PC, but cheaper and more versatile options are out there.
It runs a customised version of Debian 12. Other Linux distributions with generic ARM images may work, though some could require tweaks, drivers or newer Linux kernel modules to work fully.
Those excited by the potential of CrossOver ARM64 Linux support for running Windows-based tools on Linux ARM workstations may find this scratches an itch without $4,000+ outlay on high-end Linux ARM workstations.
But what’s it like?
Minisforum MS-R1: Specs
Minisforum MS-R1 Specs
| CPU: | CP8180 ARM CPU (12 core, 12 thread @ 2.6 Ghz base; 3.2 GHz peak) |
|---|---|
| GPU: |
Immortalis G720 MC10 (+ PCIe x16 slot) |
| NPU: | 28.8 TOPS |
| RAM: |
32GB LPDDR5 (supports ≤64GB) |
| Storage: |
1TB NVMe SSD (+ PCIe 4.0 x4 slot) |
| Ports: |
2x 10Gbe ethernet 2x USB Type-C 7x USB Type-A HDMI 2.0 3.5mm audio |
| Other: |
40 Pin GPIO UART1 Pin UART2 Pin eDP |
| Price: | From ~$504 |
The MS-R1 is powered by Cixin Technology’s ARM-based CP8180 chip, which it describes as being an ‘AI-centric consumer processor’.
The Armv9.2-A chip offers 12 cores (8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) and 12 threads, a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz and maximum of ~3.2 GHz.
The integrated NPU hits just under 30 TOPS, with full compute power of 45 TOPS – the same as AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Qualcomm Snapdragon X.
Graphics is provided by a 5th generation ARM Immortalis G720 MC10 CPU with 10 cores and hardware-based ray-tracing support.
As a full-size PCIe x16 slot (wired at x8) is present, there’s the ability to add a discrete GPU (or other kinds of expansions) which is welcome to see.
The Minisforum MS-R1 supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It includes support for Error-Correcting Code (ECC) though enabling this reduces usable memory.
Storage is fairly standard with up to 1TB NVMe SSD and support for user expansion through a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot.
There are two 10GbE Ethernet ports (Realtek RTL8127), with a built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 card as a swappable M.2 2230 module.
A full-sized HDMI 2.0 port that supports 4K@60Hz and two USB Type-C ports with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode up to 4K@120Hz. There are 7 USB Type-A ports in total, and a 3.5mm audio combo port for speakers or mics.
The USB Type-C ports also support 100w power delivery in and 15W power delivery out.
Power draw is reported to be relatively modest at 28W TDP, and the built-in cooling system includes triple copper heat pipes, aerodynamic vortex channels and a turbine fan.
How much does it cost?
The Minisforum MS-R1 is available to purchase from the official store. It’s sold in 4 configurations starting at $503.90 for a SSD-free version with 32GB of RAM through to a model with 64GB RAM and a 1TB SSD costing $695.90.
At the time of writing, the company appear to be offering a money off coupon that is against purchases over $129 for those who join their mailing list.
Shipping, import taxes and (potentially) tariffs may be applicable on top of that cost depending on where you are buying from, so be sure that factor that in prior to hitting purchase.