MINISFORUM MS-A1 Mini Workstation with HDMI|DP|USB-C Output, Barebone Version Mini PC Without OS|RAM|SSD, 4X PCIe SSD Slot, 2X 2.5G Ethernet Port, Support AMD AMS Socket CPU/Discrete Graphics Cards

Avoid this company. They don’t care about you, only your money. I should have learned my lesson after the first device I bought where they told me they don’t support their own bios but I was caught up in the YT hype and stupidly thought I wouldn’t have the same issues. Minisforum won’t actually support you after purchase. They’ll respond and then ignore you. I’d return this except I waited to long to get the pc built and tested so now that chance has passed. Buyer beware!

I loved my MS-A1 but had to return it.I really really wanted this to work out. I was disappointed that it wasn't an AM5 version of the MS-01, but I decided I would be happy to use it as an upgrade to my current single SSD and single NIC Beelink.I tried troubleshooting for over a week but was unable to get video over USB-C to work. I was also frustrated that this came with two NICs, meaning it could be used as a high-end router, but those NICs were not Intel NICs that would work more easily with pfSense.I was intending to test drive this for a month and then buy about 15-17 more to build a couple of cyber ranges and a small Proxmox cluster for my neighbor's business.Once I saw that it wasn't listed anymore on Amazon, I figured enough other folks were having problems and I should bail out too. Other than no video from USB-C, the machine, as delivered, was a hefty little beauty, and I enjoyed the week I had with it.Minisforum, if you are reading this, I will hold off on getting a new mini PC until the MS-A2 comes out.If it could have these things at a minimum:- At least 1x 10Gb SFP+. Needed for Ceph- 2x NVMe with the same speed. Don't have different numbers of lanes- 1 or more other NVMe slots for boot- PCIe slot. I dont care for the OculinkIf the MS-A2, or something else you have planned, had at least these specs and can come out in the next year, I will buy at least 15 for cyber ranges and one more for myself.

I paired this up with 64GB of RAM and the 8700g to use for some on the go projects/tests, and purchased the DEG1 Oculink doc for home editing and testing. I checked the driver package zip folder and their site when AMD Amuse gave me errors saying the IPU driver is missing. AMD forums say this is up to the OEM to provide/enable. They offer the drivers for the UM790 Pro but not this model.I can't use several AI suites and features, including AMD's own Amuse software without this driver.Definitely look in the Support Driver and Downloads section for all of the MF AMD devices you are considering to make sure the IPU Driver package is listed before purchasing if AI is one of your use cases.I've reached out to them via email support to inquire about it and will update when I hear back.The Oculink port and dock work great though and I tested both an AMD 5700 and Intel Arc A770 running hour long stress tests and got excellent results. Using 3DMark's new Steel Nomad it achieved 55-65fps 1080p for the 5700 and 60-90fps 1440p for the A770.

Very nice compact computer love the small factor a lot. Clean well designed system easy access to systems very nicely built.

The media could not be loaded. Minisform support fracking sucks. I've tried on several occasions to get screws and they wanted me to send the MS-A1 unit back. How hard is it to send all the screws for the Minisforum MS-A1? I wouldn't recommend the Minisforum MS-A1 because it lacks the necessary screws & Minisforum support lacks personnel knowledgeable with it's products

Great product. If you have bios issues just contact them diectly on Amazon or on the email on the package, they will help you. 2 orders in a row I had to return. I will not be using amazon for any more pc parts or breakable items because I guess loving right next to a warehouse in a big city makes amazon rush to crush your packages or just toss them in the bushes