MINISFORUM Unveils MS-02 Ultra Mini Workstation with Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
MINISFORUM officially presented its latest compact workstation, the MS-02 Ultra, at the 2025 Autumn Japan IT Week exhibition, which opened yesterday. This model succeeds the earlier MS-01, continuing the company’s focus on small yet expandable desktop systems designed for both professional and technical users. The MS-02 Ultra integrates new-generation Intel hardware, improved cooling efficiency, and multiple connectivity upgrades, all within a chassis measuring just under five liters in volume.
At the core of the MS-02 Ultra is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, part of Intel’s latest series of high-performance mobile chips. The mini workstation measures 221.5 × 225 × 97 mm, with an overall capacity of about 4.8 liters. It includes a 300W Flex ATX power supply and a removable outer shell that allows easier access for component replacement or maintenance. The device uses a server-like air duct cooling system, designed to direct airflow efficiently through the chassis. Both the CPU and GPU are capable of maintaining 140W of sustained output, with the combined system performance reaching up to 240W under heavy workloads.
For memory, the system supports ECC memory modules across four SO-DIMM slots, positioned on both sides of the motherboard PCB. This layout allows balanced heat distribution and simplifies upgrades. MINISFORUM notes that the MS-02 Ultra maintains the same flexible design philosophy as its predecessor while introducing higher bandwidth and additional connectivity options.
The MS-02 Ultra includes three PCIe slots arranged around the processor area — a full-length PCIe 5.0 slot at the top, a full-length PCIe 4.0 slot at the bottom, and an additional x4 PCIe 4.0 slot. The lower slot, available in the high-end configuration, comes equipped with an Intel E810 network card featuring dual 25GbE SFP+ ports. Meanwhile, the top PCIe slot accommodates double-slot low-profile GPUs such as the NVIDIA RTX 5060 or RTX 4000 SFF Ada, supported by PCIe 8-pin power delivery. This setup allows users to tailor the system for demanding workloads including AI processing, 3D rendering, and network simulation.
Storage flexibility is another key feature. The mini workstation is equipped with four M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0×4 drive slots, supporting multiple NVMe SSDs for fast read and write speeds. This setup enables users to combine high-speed primary drives with additional data or cache storage, making it suitable for professional workloads that demand rapid access times.
In terms of connectivity, the front panel of the MS-02 Ultra includes two USB4 v2.0 Type-C ports supporting up to 80Gbps, while the rear panel adds one USB4 40Gbps Type-C, one 10GbE RJ45, and one 2.5GbE RJ45 port with vPro management capability. These options make it possible to connect multiple high-speed devices and networks simultaneously, fitting both development and workstation environments.
With a compact footprint, modular design, and server-level cooling performance, the MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra continues the company’s direction toward compact yet capable computing solutions. Its combination of modern Intel processing, PCIe 5.0 support, and enterprise-grade network connectivity places it as a flexible choice for developers, engineers, and users looking to combine power efficiency with desktop-class expandability.
