Minisforum is getting ready to unveil two fresh network storage systems at CES 2026: the N5 Air and the more powerful Minisforum N5 Max. Designed to blur the line between a high-speed NAS and a compact desktop, the N5 Max aims to be a single device that can handle serious storage duties while still working as a full mini PC.
At the heart of the Minisforum N5 Max is AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395, paired with integrated Radeon 8060S graphics. That combination signals that this isn’t just a simple file box for backups—it’s built with enough performance headroom for heavier tasks, whether that’s content management, media handling, virtualization, or running Windows apps directly on the device.
One of the biggest selling points is flexibility. The N5 Max can run Windows and supports display output through USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1, making it practical to connect to a monitor and use like a traditional computer when needed. In other words, it’s positioned as a hybrid: network-attached storage when it’s tucked away on your network, and a mini desktop PC when you want it at your workstation.
Connectivity and expansion also look like a key focus. The N5 Max includes wired networking with an Ethernet port supporting up to 10 Gbit/s and 5 Gbit/s speeds, which is important for fast transfers, multi-user access, and high-bitrate media workflows. For users who want to push networking even further, Minisforum is also including a PCIe expansion option that can be used to add additional network cards.
Storage capacity is another major highlight. The system supports up to five drives, including both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch hard drives or SSDs, which should appeal to anyone building large local storage for media libraries, backups, or project files. On top of that, it also supports multiple M.2 2280 SSDs at the same time, opening the door to fast caching setups, all-flash storage builds, or a mix of performance and capacity depending on your needs.
Memory is equally ambitious. The N5 Max is listed with 128 GB of soldered LPDDR5x RAM, while the N5 Air is set to come with 96 GB. That’s a lot of memory for compact network storage hardware, and it suggests Minisforum is targeting power users who want to run more demanding workloads beyond simple file sharing.
Physically, the Minisforum N5 Max is sized at 199 x 202.4 x 25.3 mm, keeping the footprint compact for a device that’s trying to combine a mini PC and a multi-drive storage solution in one chassis.
For now, Minisforum hasn’t shared pricing or a concrete release date, but with CES 2026 as the showcase, more details should surface soon. If you’re watching the market for a high-performance NAS alternative that can also replace a small desktop PC, the Minisforum N5 Max is shaping up to be one of the more interesting compact storage and computing hybrids to follow.
