> There is also one other perk: while the MSRP is $599, I got it for $559 despite a RAM shortage.
At that price, why not a mac mini running linux? I think (skimming Asahi docs) the only things that would give you trouble don't matter to the headless usecase here?
> The strange CPU core layout is causing power problems; Radxa and Minisforum both told me Cix is working on power draw, and enabling features like ASPM. It seems like for stability, and to keep memory access working core to core, with the big.medium.little CPU core layout, Cix wants to keep the chip powered up pretty high. 14 to 17 watts idle is beyond even modern Intel and AMD!
Funny, I just bought one of these last week. Agree with the article. Mine came with storage and Debian preinstalled. If you buy one from Amazon, keep an eye on price. I bought, then the next day the price dropped $150. Ordered another one and returned the expensive order.
With full disk encryption enabled you need a keyboard and display attached at boot to unlock it. You then need to sign in to your account to start services. You can use an IP based KVM but that’s another thing to manage.
If you use Docker, it runs in a vm instead of native.
With a Linux based ARM box you can use full disk encryption, use drop bear to ssh in on boot to unlock disks, native docker, ability to run proxmox etc.
Mac minis/studio have potential to be great low powered home servers but Apple is not going down that route for consumers. I’d be curious if they are using their own silicon and own server oriented distro internally for some things.
Most likely wanting to run Linux natively. Only M1/M2 can fill that role with Asahi, and still not with 100% hardware compatibility.
On the flip side, an M4 mini is cheaper, faster, much smaller (with built in power supply) and much more efficient. Plus for most applications, they can run in a Linux container just as well.
I don't feel like this really answers the question thought, right? At least not at face value.
I could see the side of maintenance burden being a potential point, meaning that one would be "pushed" to update the system between releases more often than something else.
I was wondering why the PSU is half the size of the compute unit housing. 15 years ago, sure, but today it just seems cheap and lazy on part of whoever designed it.
Caveat: I'm frequently mistaken, always keen to learn and reduce the error between my perception and reality!
I have a personal ban on any hardware that isn't powered by USB-C. (Or if it's large I'll accept a C17 socket.) Either give me a GaN or I will get it myself.
Otherwise I'd probably have a few machines from this company.
$599 seems like a lot to me. You can get numerous older, much more powerful Mini PCs, or even base brand new M4 Mac Minis for that kind of money.
> There is also one other perk: while the MSRP is $599, I got it for $559 despite a RAM shortage.
At that price, why not a mac mini running linux? I think (skimming Asahi docs) the only things that would give you trouble don't matter to the headless usecase here?
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/minisforum-stuffs-ent...
> The strange CPU core layout is causing power problems; Radxa and Minisforum both told me Cix is working on power draw, and enabling features like ASPM. It seems like for stability, and to keep memory access working core to core, with the big.medium.little CPU core layout, Cix wants to keep the chip powered up pretty high. 14 to 17 watts idle is beyond even modern Intel and AMD!
Funny, I just bought one of these last week. Agree with the article. Mine came with storage and Debian preinstalled. If you buy one from Amazon, keep an eye on price. I bought, then the next day the price dropped $150. Ordered another one and returned the expensive order.
You used to be able to just call Amazon and they'd refund the difference. Not sure if they do that anymore.
They did not. The rep told me to return it and buy another. :/
And fuck the planet, your time and the time of the logistics people.
This is so incredibly inefficient. Multiply by how many times this happens every day...
Not sure I understand this distinction.
> I’ve always wanted an ARM server in my homelab. But earlier, I either had to use an underpowered ARM system, or use Asahi...
What is stopping you using Mac with MacOS?
It’s not great as a headless server.
With full disk encryption enabled you need a keyboard and display attached at boot to unlock it. You then need to sign in to your account to start services. You can use an IP based KVM but that’s another thing to manage.
If you use Docker, it runs in a vm instead of native.
With a Linux based ARM box you can use full disk encryption, use drop bear to ssh in on boot to unlock disks, native docker, ability to run proxmox etc.
Mac minis/studio have potential to be great low powered home servers but Apple is not going down that route for consumers. I’d be curious if they are using their own silicon and own server oriented distro internally for some things.
Most likely wanting to run Linux natively. Only M1/M2 can fill that role with Asahi, and still not with 100% hardware compatibility.
On the flip side, an M4 mini is cheaper, faster, much smaller (with built in power supply) and much more efficient. Plus for most applications, they can run in a Linux container just as well.
> Yes, while I use Fedora on my laptop, I also know Fedora is generally not a good option for a server.
Why is Fedora not considered good for a server?
I'd also love to hear what folks have to say about this.
For myself I've had nothing but positive experiences running Fedora on my servers.
It's a cutting-edge distro with 6-month release and 13-month support cycles.
Whereas Debian/Ubuntu have 5 years and RHEL/Alma/Rocky have 10 years.
I don't feel like this really answers the question thought, right? At least not at face value.
I could see the side of maintenance burden being a potential point, meaning that one would be "pushed" to update the system between releases more often than something else.
Why is the power supply 2x larger than a Macbool Pro PS unit? Cheap? What about GaN?
Mac Mini/Studio has an integrated power supply, but other Mini PCs do not have the same luxury. It doesn't matter if you're Minisforum or HP.
Minisforum probably reused the x86 power supply for ARM. The x86 MS-01 and MS-A2 supports GPUs after all.
I'm not a hardware engineer, I've failed miserably in software engineering and now run a VPS host.
I was wondering why the PSU is half the size of the compute unit housing. 15 years ago, sure, but today it just seems cheap and lazy on part of whoever designed it.
Caveat: I'm frequently mistaken, always keen to learn and reduce the error between my perception and reality!
> but other Mini PCs do not have the same luxury
My Beelink Me Mini has an integrated PSU. Actually same with the EQR6 I got too.
It's just cheap.
I have a personal ban on any hardware that isn't powered by USB-C. (Or if it's large I'll accept a C17 socket.) Either give me a GaN or I will get it myself.
Otherwise I'd probably have a few machines from this company.