Minisforum is gearing up to showcase a powerful new Arrow Lake HX mini PC, the MS-02 Ultra, at Japan Autumn IT Week 2025 starting October 22. Ahead of its official debut, an early look shared on r/MiniPCs has laid out the key specs—and they’re impressive for a small form factor system focused on both performance and expandability.
At its core is Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285HX, a 24‑core processor paired with a 4‑core Intel Arc integrated GPU. While the iGPU isn’t meant for heavy gaming or pro graphics work, the MS-02 Ultra stands out by offering three desktop-style PCIe expansion slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16, one PCIe 4.0 x16, and one PCIe 4.0 x4. That means you can add a discrete GPU, capture card, high‑speed storage, or advanced networking—ideal for creators, homelab enthusiasts, and compact workstation builds. Do keep in mind that the compact chassis may not accept large, triple‑slot flagship GPUs, and the Core Ultra 9 285HX supports 24 PCIe lanes in total, so bandwidth can vary if multiple slots are populated simultaneously.
Memory and storage headroom are equally generous. The mini PC supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 across four SODIMM slots, and it includes four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots for up to 16 TB of SSD storage. Connectivity is another highlight, with a mix of cutting‑edge USB, display, and high‑speed networking options, plus an internal 350 W power supply to keep add‑in cards and peripherals powered without a bulky external brick.
Key specs and features
– CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (24 cores) with 4‑core Intel Arc iGPU
– Expansion: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4
– Memory: Up to 256 GB DDR5 via four SODIMM slots
– Storage: Four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 SSD slots (up to 16 TB total)
– USB and display: 2x USB4 v2 (80 Gbps), 1x USB4 (40 Gbps), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type‑A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5 mm audio
– Networking: 1x 2.5 GbE, 1x 10 GbE, 1x 25 Gb SFP+
– Wireless: Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
– Power: Built‑in 350 W PSU
– Design: Upgrade‑friendly small form factor
Early materials also reference the unit as the MS‑A2 Ultra, suggesting the name may have shifted during development; expect final branding to be clarified at the show.
With triple high‑speed networking, true desktop‑grade PCIe expansion, and a top‑tier Arrow Lake HX processor, the Minisforum MS‑02 Ultra looks tailored for users who want workstation‑class flexibility without a full‑tower footprint. Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but all signs point to a compact powerhouse that can anchor a creator rig, compact gaming setup, or versatile homelab when it officially takes the stage later this month.
