Minisforum MS-02 Review: Can This Tiny Workstation Replace Your Desktop?

Sofía García · 2026-02-07

Let's be honest. Most of us have that giant desktop PC sitting under our desk. It's big, it's loud, and it takes up way too much space. I know I did. Mine was a hulking beast that felt like it needed its own zip code. Then I got my hands on the Minisforum MS-02 Ultra mini workstation. The first thing you notice? It's shockingly small. We're talking about a device that's roughly 11 times smaller than my old tower. You could literally fit a dozen of these in the same footprint. But here's the real question everyone's asking: Can something this tiny actually do the job of a full-sized desktop? I spent a week putting it through its paces to find out. ### First Impressions and Build Quality Unboxing the MS-02 feels like opening a premium gadget. The aluminum chassis is solid and cool to the touch. It measures just 7.9 inches long, 7.1 inches wide, and 2.4 inches tall. That's smaller than most hardcover books on your shelf. The port selection is impressive for such a compact device. You get multiple USB ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, and even dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports. They've managed to pack a lot into a very small space without it feeling cluttered or cheap. ### Performance That Punches Above Its Weight This is where the MS-02 really surprised me. Inside that tiny case, you can configure it with up to an Intel Core i9 processor and 64GB of RAM. I tested it with the Core i7 configuration and 32GB of memory. For everyday tasks—web browsing, document editing, video calls—it flies. There's no lag, no stuttering. But I wanted to push it further. I loaded up some photo editing software and worked with large RAW files. The MS-02 handled it without breaking a sweat. Where it really impressed me was with multitasking. I had multiple browser tabs open, a spreadsheet running, music playing, and a video rendering in the background. The system remained responsive throughout. It's not going to replace a dedicated gaming rig or a server-grade workstation, but for professional creative work and office tasks? It's more than capable. ### The Real-World Test: Does It Replace a Desktop? Here's my take after using it as my primary machine for a week. For probably 80% of users, the answer is a resounding yes. If your work involves: - Office productivity software - Web development and coding - Graphic design and photo editing - Light video editing - Data analysis and spreadsheets ...then this little box can absolutely replace that giant tower. The space savings alone are worth considering. My desk suddenly felt twice as big without that massive case down below. There are a couple of caveats, though. If you need multiple high-end graphics cards for 3D rendering or scientific computing, you'll still need a traditional desktop. The MS-02 uses integrated graphics, which are good but not meant for heavy GPU workloads. ### The Verdict: Who Should Buy This? I think the Minisforum MS-02 hits a sweet spot for several types of users: - **Office professionals** who want a clean, minimalist desk setup - **Digital creatives** working with photos, illustrations, or light video - **Home office users** who value space and aesthetics - **IT departments** looking for efficient, low-profile workstations - **Anyone tired of the PC tower aesthetic** As one early adopter put it: 'I didn't realize how much I hated my giant PC until it was gone.' The MS-02 starts at around $699 for the base configuration, with fully loaded models reaching about $1,299. That's competitive with traditional desktops offering similar performance. ### Final Thoughts Technology has reached a point where we don't need massive boxes to get serious work done. The Minisforum MS-02 proves that power and size aren't mutually exclusive anymore. Will it replace every desktop out there? No. But for most everyday professional tasks, it's more than enough. And when you consider the desk space you reclaim and the cleaner look you achieve, that's a compelling value proposition. Sometimes, good things really do come in small packages. The MS-02 might just make you rethink what a workstation needs to look like in 2024.