Published: in Videos
Minisforum MS-01 Review: Overhyped Mini-PC or the Right Tool for One Job?
The Minisforum MS-01 has become one of the most talked-about mini PCs online, often described as the “ultimate NAS”, the “ultimate router”, or an all-in-one homelab powerhouse. After spending meaningful time with it, the reality is more specific: it is excellent in one particular role, and much less convincing in several others.
If you prefer a walkthrough, the video below covers the same points with a hands-on look at the hardware and setup. The written review and recommendations follow underneath.
What the MS-01 is (and why expectations are so high)
On paper, the MS-01 looks like a dream homelab box: a powerful mobile Intel CPU, multiple M.2 slots, and strong networking options including SFP+. That combination leads to big claims online—particularly around using it as a compact NAS, a router, and a virtualisation host all at once.
In practice, the design choices around storage, expandability, and firmware make it far better suited to a narrower set of use cases.
BIOS and setup experience
The first issue you will likely notice is the BIOS.
It works, but it is styled more like a laptop BIOS attempting to present itself as a server BIOS. Navigation feels mouse-first, menus can be sluggish, and many settings are buried behind click-heavy screens. For users building a Proxmox or XCP-NG host, a fast, keyboard-friendly BIOS matters. Here, it is functional, but not pleasant.
Memory and component costs
Memory installation is straightforward: there are two DDR5 SODIMM slots. The main practical point is cost—DDR5 SODIMM pricing can still be relatively high, especially when you move beyond basic capacities.
If you are sourcing parts in the UK, buying from established retailers can reduce headaches around compatibility and returns. (In the video, Scan is mentioned as a dependable place to source components, though this is not a sponsored recommendation.)
The biggest compromise: NVMe storage layout and cooling
The MS-01 includes three M.2 slots, which sounds ideal for storage-heavy builds. The problem is that the three slots are not equivalent.
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Slot 1 runs at PCIe 4.0 x4 (full speed)
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Slot 2 runs at PCIe 3.0 x4 (slower)
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Slot 3 runs at PCIe 3.0 x2 (significantly slower)
This matters if you plan to build a RAID set or ZFS pool. Mixed link speeds can drag overall performance towards the slowest device and make performance less predictable than users expect from a “three-NVMe NAS”.
Cooling is the second storage issue. Only the first slot has proper space for a heatsink. The other two are positioned under the fan shroud with limited clearance, meaning you are constrained to slim cooling solutions and whatever airflow happens to reach them. For sustained storage workloads, especially with multiple NVMe drives, that is not ideal.
PCIe expansion: present, but heavily limited
The MS-01 does offer a PCIe slot, but it is far more restrictive than most buyers assume. Card clearance is tight and effectively limits you to very slim options.
That rules out many common upgrades people associate with “server-like” mini PCs, such as:
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Most GPUs
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Many storage HBAs
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Many full-height or larger NICs
It is not that the slot is useless—it can support a carefully chosen slim NIC or similar card—but it is not a general-purpose expansion option.
Why it is not a good fit for a NAS
Despite online claims, the MS-01 is not an ideal NAS platform.
Key reasons:
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The three NVMe slots run at different PCIe speeds
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Cooling and heatsink clearance are limited for two of the slots
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No ECC memory support (important for some ZFS users)
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Not designed for heavy, continuous 24/7 write workloads in the same way dedicated NAS platforms are
If you want a NAS, you are generally better served by a platform designed around consistent storage lanes, predictable thermals, and a clear expansion path.
Why it is not a great router (for most people)
It can be used as a router, but it is rarely the sensible choice.
The CPU is overpowered for typical routing and firewall workloads, which can mean unnecessary energy use. If your needs are conventional routing and firewalling, there are cheaper, lower-power boxes that do the job very well. The MS-01 only starts to make more sense if you specifically need its faster networking capabilities (for example, 10GbE), and even then you should weigh cost and power draw against alternatives.
Why it is not a desktop replacement
It can run desktop operating systems, but it is not a compelling replacement for a normal desktop PC for most users. The limitations are typical of laptop-class hardware in a compact chassis:
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Integrated graphics constraints
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Limited sustained performance under long loads
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DDR5 SODIMM pricing
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No meaningful upgrade path beyond RAM and storage
What the MS-01 is actually good at
Where the MS-01 genuinely shines is as a compact virtualisation host with external storage.
As a Proxmox or XCP-NG node, it makes a lot of sense when you use it alongside proper shared storage (for example, a TrueNAS system). In that role, the feature set aligns well with real-world needs:
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Fast NVMe storage for VMs, containers, and caching
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High-speed networking (including SFP+) to connect to external storage
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Enough CPU capacity to run multiple VMs comfortably
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Compact size and relatively low noise
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PCIe slot useful for a carefully chosen slim NIC or other specialised card
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Plenty of networking flexibility for VLAN labs and testing environments
In short: it is a strong homelab node, not an all-in-one server replacement.
Practical notes from the hands-on build
The video walkthrough covers unboxing and installation, including:
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Case removal (less smooth than it looks)
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RAM installation (requires removing the CPU fan assembly to access slots)
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Storage installation (accessing M.2 slots and noting the U.2/M.2 power switch)
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BIOS options, including enabling virtualisation features
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Operating system installation notes (including driver availability on Windows out of the box)
These are not deal-breakers, but they are worth knowing if you expect a simple “drop in parts and go” experience.
Should you buy the Minisforum MS-01?
If you are buying it as:
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A NAS
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A router
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A desktop replacement
then it is likely to disappoint relative to the hype.
If you are buying it as:
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A compact Proxmox or XCP-NG virtualisation node, with external storage
then it is one of the most practical and capable mini PCs in its class, provided you understand the storage and expansion constraints.
Summary
The Minisforum MS-01 is not an all-in-one wonder box, despite how it is often presented online. Its storage layout, thermals around multiple NVMe drives, restrictive PCIe expansion, and BIOS design choices make it a poor fit for several popular “ultimate” use cases.
Where it succeeds is as a compact virtualisation node with fast networking and local NVMe for VM storage and caching, paired with proper external storage. Bought for that purpose, it is a strong piece of kit.