Minisforum MS-03 Mini PC Launches With Intel Panther Lake CPUs, USB4, 10GbE, and Introductory Discounts
Minisforum has officially opened sales for the MS-03, its new compact desktop powered by Intel’s Panther Lake processors. After being previewed earlier in 2026 and formally introduced in July, the mini PC is now available with launch pricing that makes it an appealing option for users looking for a powerful small-form-factor system.
The Minisforum MS-03 is offered with two processor choices. The entry configuration features the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H, a mid-range Panther Lake chip designed for efficient everyday performance, multitasking, office workloads, media use, and light creative tasks. It also includes Intel’s Xe3 integrated graphics with 4 cores.
For users who need more processing power, Minisforum also offers a higher-end version with the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H. This chip comes with a 16-core configuration and is aimed at heavier workloads, including demanding productivity tasks, development environments, virtualization, and more intensive multitasking. Like the Core Ultra 5 model, it uses the same Xe3 integrated GPU.
One of the most interesting features of the MS-03 is its expansion potential. The mini PC includes USB4 ports, which means users can connect an external GPU enclosure for stronger graphics performance. This makes the system more flexible for creators, engineers, and even users who want a compact machine that can scale up for GPU-heavy tasks when needed.
The motherboard also includes a PCIe x16 physical slot that can fit a single-slot half-height graphics card. However, the bandwidth is limited to PCIe 4.0 x4, so while the slot looks like a full x16 connector, its real-world throughput is closer to what users would expect from an OCuLink-style connection. Even so, having this kind of internal expansion in a mini PC is a major advantage for users who want more than a typical compact desktop can offer.
Connectivity is another strong point of the Minisforum MS-03. The system includes two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB4 ports, one 10GbE port, one 2.5GbE port, two 10G SFP+ ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. This port selection makes the MS-03 suitable not only as a desktop replacement but also as a compact workstation, home lab server, networking box, or media and storage hub.
Minisforum is also emphasizing thermal performance. The MS-03 uses a dual-heatpipe cooling design paired with blower-style fans, which the company says is built to maintain stable performance during long workloads, including 24/7 operation. That could make the system attractive for users who want a compact PC that can run continuously for server, virtualization, or professional use.
Storage and memory support are also impressive for a mini PC. The MS-03 includes three M.2 slots and supports up to a 15TB U.2 drive. It can also be configured with up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, giving it plenty of headroom for demanding applications, large datasets, and virtual machines.
Pricing starts at $759 for the barebone Minisforum MS-03 with the Core Ultra 5 336H. The more powerful Core Ultra 9 386H barebone model starts at $999. Minisforum is also offering preconfigured versions with up to 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. Buyers can currently use the MGPC30 coupon code for a $30 launch discount.
With Intel Panther Lake processors, USB4 support, high-speed networking, multiple storage options, and room for expansion, the Minisforum MS-03 stands out as a compact yet highly capable mini PC for power users, professionals, and home lab enthusiasts.
