Mini PC manufacturer Minisforum has officially unveiled its first desktop-class Arm-based system, the MS-R1, marking the company’s entry into Arm-powered computing.
The new compact workstation is built around the CIX P1 System-on-Chip (SoC), featuring a 12-core heterogeneous CPU architecture and workstation-level features like a PCIe x16 expansion slot, making it one of the few Arm desktop systems capable of supporting external GPUs.
⚙️ CIX P1 Processor and Performance #
First introduced at Computex 2025, the CIX P1 is a 6nm SoC combining Cortex-A720 high-performance cores with Cortex-A520 efficiency cores, clocked between 1.8GHz and 2.6GHz.
Graphics are handled by an Immortalis-G720 GPU, which supports advanced graphics APIs and hardware acceleration for modern workloads. The SoC also integrates an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capable of 30 TOPS, delivering hardware acceleration for AI inference and edge computing tasks.
🧠 OS and Target Audience #
The MS-R1 ships with a custom Debian-based Linux distribution, tuned for Arm optimization and development flexibility.
Users can also install standard Debian 12/13 or other compatible Linux distributions. Minisforum is positioning the system for developers, embedded engineers, and advanced Linux users who need native Arm environments for cross-compilation, testing, and performance validation.
🧊 Design and Cooling #
The MS-R1 retains Minisforum’s signature compact industrial aesthetic, similar in style to the x86-based MS-01, but built for the Arm platform.
- Dimensions: 196 × 189 × 48 mm
- Weight: 1.35 kg
It uses an H63RA heatsink with a Sunon Maglev fan for efficient and quiet cooling, balancing thermal performance with silent operation — ideal for office or lab setups where noise is a concern.
💪 Workstation-Grade Specifications #
Despite its small size, the MS-R1 includes high-end expandability uncommon in Arm systems:
- Memory: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB LPDDR5 (5500MT/s), with optional ECC support (12GB, 28GB, or 60GB configurations).
- Storage: PCIe SSDs up to 1TB, or bare slots for user upgrades.
- Expansion Slot: A PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (operating at x8 bandwidth), enabling external GPUs, AI accelerator cards, or high-speed network adapters — a standout feature among Arm-based desktops.
🔌 I/O and Connectivity #
The MS-R1’s connectivity setup aligns with professional workstation standards:
- Dual 10Gb Ethernet ports
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
- Two USB-C ports with USB-PD and DP Alt Mode
- Two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports and two USB 2.0 ports
- HDMI 2.0 output and 3.5mm audio jack
Additional developer-friendly interfaces include 40-pin GPIO, TPM, UART, I²C, and eDP, supporting embedded control, robotics, and industrial automation use cases.
Power delivery supports up to 100W USB-PD, paired with an external 180W adapter for full system performance.
🌍 Market Outlook and Significance #
The Minisforum MS-R1 stands out as one of the first truly desktop-class Arm Linux systems, bridging the gap between embedded development kits and mainstream workstations.
Rather than chasing x86-level performance, the MS-R1 focuses on low-power, scalable computing, local AI inference, and software flexibility — key factors for modern development environments and edge workloads.
The system’s introduction signals a broader industry shift: Arm architecture is steadily expanding beyond mobile and server markets into desktop and developer ecosystems.
While Minisforum hasn’t yet revealed the price or release date, the MS-R1’s design philosophy and capabilities clearly position it as an Arm workstation for developers, not a general consumer PC.
For developers needing native Arm Linux desktops, cross-compilation platforms, or AI model testing environments, the MS-R1 offers a compact, flexible, and future-facing solution.