MINISFORUM Launches MS-A2 Mini Workstation with Ryzen 9 9955HX and PCIe Expandability

MINISFORUM has officially introduced its latest productivity-focused mini PC, the MS-A2, designed for workstation applications in a compact form factor. The new system is built around AMD's latest mobile processor from the "Zen 5" family—the Ryzen 9 9955HX, which features 16 cores. For users seeking a more budget-friendly option, MINISFORUM has also confirmed that a configuration with the previous-generation Ryzen 9 7945HX will be available in the future.

The MS-A2 is part of MINISFORUM’s “MoDT” (Mobile on Desktop) series, which utilizes high-performance mobile processors in small form factor desktops. The chassis measures 196 x 189 x 48 mm and has a total volume of just 1.78 liters. It weighs approximately 1.4 kilograms and is powered through an external 19V DC-in adapter.

The MS-A2 includes a full-length PCIe x8 Gen 4 slot, enabling support for single-slot, half-height add-in cards. This is particularly valuable in a compact mini PC, offering flexibility for users who need to install dedicated networking adapters, capture cards, or other specialized accelerators.

Internally, the system offers two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel memory configurations. For storage, there are three M.2 slots. One is a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot in the 2280 form factor, intended as the main storage interface. The other two slots support 22110/2280 drives and offer PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA III by default, with the option to enable PCIe 4.0 via BIOS or firmware configuration. Wireless connectivity is provided by a built-in module supporting Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

The MS-A2 also comes with a comprehensive I/O selection. On the front panel, users get a power button, one 2-in-1 audio jack, two USB-A 5Gbps ports, and one USB-A 480Mbps port. On the rear, the device includes two 10GbE SFP+ ports powered by Intel X710 controllers, two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports (one using Intel’s I226-V and the other using a Realtek RTL8125), two USB-C 10Gbps ports with DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode, one HDMI 2.1 output, and two additional USB-A ports (one 10Gbps and one 5Gbps).

The barebone version of the MS-A2 is priced at $839 USD, while a fully configured version with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD is listed at $1,103 USD. The system targets users in need of a small workstation capable of handling demanding workloads in areas like software development, media production, or networking.

With its combination of high-core count processors, flexible storage, and robust networking options, the MS-A2 offers a unique blend of desktop performance and small form factor design for professional users.