The M4 Mac Mini is dead to me - Minisforum at CES 2025
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Promos
Go to dbrand.com to get your Ghost Case 2.0! For a limited time, get $10 off, no coupon required Jake loves three things, two of which are Mini PCs and NASs, which is convenient because Minisforum had both in their booth here at CES. With beefy specs, tons of upgradability, and very aggressive pricing, is the base model M4 Mac Mini already dead in the water? Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 MS-A2 walkthrough 5:28 Sponsor - dbrand 6:24 MS-A2 performance and pricing 9:40 N5 Pro NAS 17:36 Outro
The video covers Minisforum's CES 2025 showcases with a focus on the MSA2 and M4 Mac Mini competitors, emphasizing how AMD-powered Mini PCs are redefining small form factor compute. The host walks through the MSA2 hardware, noting the copper heat sink, expanded PCIe lanes, and multi-drive support including dual U.2 bays, which dramatically increase expansion potential relative to the original MS01. He discusses the internal layout, upgrade paths, and cooling decisions, highlighting the ability to run GPUs and the impact of the AMD CPU on power draw and performance, including thermal considerations and BIOS power profiles. The segment then pivots to practical implications, comparing the MSA2 against the 10G Mac Mini M4 on price and performance, and considers future variants like SE or Pro models, plus the possibility of running different operating systems or NAS-oriented software stacks. Finally, the host teases additional accessories and sponsorships, and frames the MSA2 as a compelling, expandable alternative for enthusiasts who want high performance in a compact chassis, while acknowledging the current prototype status and potential pricing ranges. The closing remarks summarize the appeal of high expandability and the potential for a low-cost, high-performance mini workstation in the market, inviting viewer feedback on desired configurations and OS choices.
Topics · technology · hardware · consumer_electronics · nas · small_form_factor · amd · gaming_pcs
Questions answered
- What is the key claim about the Minisforum MSA2 compared to the Mac Mini M4 in this CES 2025 coverage?
- The Minisforum MSA2 with AMD power is presented as a high-performance, highly expandable alternative that, for a similar price, offers more GPUs, more PCIe lanes, and more drive capacity, potentially outperforming the Mac Mini M4 in raw performance and expandability.
- What makes the MSA2's IO and storage options stand out?
- MSA2 adds multiple PCIe lanes, dual U.2 drives, and a generous mix of USB 4, HDMI 2.0, 10Gb Ethernet, and 5Gb Ethernet, enabling large, fast storage arrays and flexible external expansion.