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The Kobra range of 3D printers has continued to impress over the years, and while the aesthetic design of their open-frame Cartesian machines has until now been very workshop-like, the reliability and quality of the prints have never failed to impress. So much so that there are still two old Kobra 2’s still running. They might not be the best machines compared to the latest releases, but after three years, they’re still running strong.

The Kobra X is a further progression forward in quality and design, which really started with the Kobra 3 Combo it’s just now the level of quality, along with the touch screen interface, speed and precision, all take another step forward. Anycubic are running to catch up like all others with the market leaders Bambu Lab, and to offer a solid alternative to the dominance of the Bambu Lab A1.

However, by taking on the A1, the Kobra X has had to refine the Anycubic 3D printers that have come before, and they’re not the only manufacturer that is playing catch-up with similarly cheap and excellent machines such as the Creality Hi, which again, for the price, is another outstanding cheap option. These printers are all very much now on a par; they don’t bring anything other than refinement to the older Cartesian style of FDM bed slinger printers.

What the Kobra X does is stamp Anycubic once again as a serious manufacturer in the 3D FDM arena, with a machine that improves the design quality and function. At this entry level, it’s essential that manufacturers get things right, as these are the machines that will endear users to their product lines. That’s why it seems for around the $300 / £300 mark, you’re getting a machine with literally all the features.

This does mean that any 3D printer at this level has to be simple to use, robust, reliable, aesthetically designed and when it comes to the prints, they need to be good, accurate and multicolored.

The market at this level is packed, and more importantly, the machines at this price point already have a solid and proven track record. Any of the best 3D printers I've tested for entry-level users need to compete needs to impress from the outset.

Getting started with the Kobra X instantly showed that the design and quality were on a par with the competition, and once a few updates and the calibration had run its course, the machine was up and running, the first few prints highlighting that the Kobra X was more than capable of standing its ground against the Creality and Bambu Lab machines.

Anycubic Kobra X: Price and Availability

The Anycubic Kobra X is currently only available directly from Anycubic US and Anycubic UK stores, priced at a discount $299 / £259 right now.

Combo versions are also available. If experience is anything to go by, expect this 3D printer to reach Amazon in the near future.

Anycubic Kobra X: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Anycubic has progressed the design of the Kobra machines significantly over the years, and comparing the old Kobra 2 against the latest X, you can see how the design and innovation of the latest model are worlds apart.

Yet, like those older machines, the Kobra X retains the older Cartesian style of design and sees the filament and print area open. While this means that for enthusiasts and those just starting out, you get to see the print being built, for those looking to use more advanced materials, the lack of an enclosure and controlled build area temperature limits the material choice.

Still, for beginners and hobbyists, that material restriction is probably a good thing, and after you’ve mastered the ways of PLA and PETG, you can then progress to the Kobra S1.

As it is, while the frame may be open, it’s been properly product designed and looks, as well as the machines usability compared with past models has all taken a leap forward.

Again, the gantry feels good and solid, and Anycubic has once again worked on the quality of the Cable routing, so less of the workings are on show.

While the design is still open, the motors and power adapter, belts and wiring are all, for the most part, hidden away. The 3.5-inch touch screen is also intuitive and easy to navigate, with the ability to load prints via USB or through the Anycubic Slicer software wirelessly.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The physical size is also relatively compact, with the four filament spools being mounted on the horizontal top bar, enabling easy accessibility. If you want the filament in a dry box, then you can couple the printer with the Ace 2 Pro, in fact, up to four of these filament boxes to enable 19 color printing.

When it comes to the dimensions, it measures in at 455.4 x 445.3 x 461.3 mm with the filaments adding to the height. Weight-wise, this is a printer that is easy to move around if space is limited, and without the filaments, it weighs 12.7kg or 18 kg for the combo model. The Ace 2 Pro will add an additional 4.8 kg per unit.

While the weight can quickly build like its competitors at the base level, it’s still very manoeuvrable and easy to carry and store. The build area is also pretty decent at a perfect 260 × 260 × 260mm, meaning that there’s plenty of room for a good amount of projects.

One of the other big design features is the Ace Gen 2 print head with a new extruder, cutter and multifilament system that helps to cut down on the filament purge compared with other systems.

• Design: 4.5/5

Anycubic Kobra X: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Print Technology: FDM
Build Area: 260 × 260 × 260 mm
Minimum Layer Resolution: 0.05 mm
Maximum Layer Resolution: 0.30 mm
Dimensions: Approx. 500 × 500 × 580 mm
Weight: Approx. 9.5 kg
Bed: Heated aluminium build plate (up to 110°C)
Print Surface: Textured PEI spring steel flex plate
Software: Anycubic Slicer (Cura-based) + Wi-Fi / App / Cloud support
Materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS
Print Speed: Up to 600 mm/s

At first look, the Kobra X follows the same lines of design as the other new bed slingers. Everything is a little neater and less DIY workshop, and it isn’t just the aesthetics; these new machines leap forward with the technology and features as well.

The first point to note is that for those on a budget, the machine, with discounts, can be purchased for around $299 / £259, and for that price you have the ability to print in 4 colors. That is discounted from the usual $399 / £359, but when discounted that makes it £100 less than the competition. That price point is just the start, with several different combo options that then see the price hit a peak of $1148 / £987 with four Ace 2 Pro boxes and the ability to print up to 19 colors.

Like the S1, there’s also the ability to quality swap out the nozzle for different diameters, with the machine arriving with a standard 0.4mm and options for diameters from 0.25 through to 0.8mm. What also stands out here is that many of the parts can easily be swapped out, most notably the Ace Gen 2 print head.

Compared with Anycubic's previous multicolor Cartesian printers, this new system is double the speed and saves more filament through filament purging. It can also print 4 colors out of the box with the option to print an additional 15, taking the total to 19 colors.

The machine also builds in AI detection, which enables perfect first-layer printing, and if any issues are detected, the machine will stop before any damage is caused.

Out of the box, thanks to the new print head, the machine can also print PLA and TPU (68D) simultaneously, enabling you to print far more complex models. This type of feature is more common in multi-tool head printers and not common in single-nozzle systems like this.

A feature that I’ve seen expanding across almost all manufacturers is the ability to monitor and control the printer remotely. Again, while this isn’t a unique feature, the fact that it’s included on a portion of this print point is exceptional.

Anycubic make a big point about the new Ace Gen 2 technology, which features a 52% reduction in the distance between the filament cutter and nozzle and an 81.25% reduction in filament change length, ultimately reducing the time between filament swaps and the amount of filament that needs to be purged.

The most interesting point about this head is that it features an adaptive extrusion force compensator, which adjusts the extrusion force based on the filament hardness so that PLA, PVA and softer TPU can all be extruded without manual adjustment between filament swaps. This means you can print with the following combinations: PLA + TPU, PLA + PVA or TPU + TPU.

One of the other features that stands out, despite its simplicity, is the fact that the spools for the four colors are mounted above the machine. This means that although you do need to have quite a bit of headroom, for smaller workshop areas where desk space might be limited, this four-color solution retains a small footprint.

Print speeds can reach a maximum of 600mm/s with the default being an impressive 300mm/s. As a speed test on the machine, the USB is loaded with a fast 3DBench model that prints in a little over 14 minutes, which by any standards is fast.

Once again, the machine features the latest version of Anycubics LeviQ 3.0 levelling system with 49-point auto-leveling, Flow Dynamic Calibration, and Vibration Compensation. The heat bed has also been redesigned to ensure an even spread of heat under the platform.

The AI detection has a few key new features that I was keen to test. The first, as always, is the spaghetti detection, but then the new object skipping is of real interest. The spaghetti detection will stop the printer if something goes wrong and spaghetti strands of filament start to appear.

Object Skipping is something new. This essentially skips a print that’s failed, so if you have a series of parts printing on the same bed and one fails, usually that means that all will fail. However, once the camera detects a failure, it skips it and continues the rest of the prints without returning to the failed one.

• Features: 4.5/5

Anycubic Kobra X: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Kobra X is one of the most straightforward Bed Slingers I’ve assembled and took a little over five minutes to unbox and build. Once powered up and the calibration steps were run, which takes around 30 minutes, then the printer is set to go.

On the first run, I checked the first layer accuracy, and once finished, the sheet of plastic that had been extruded was of exceptional quality, peeling back to reveal an even and well distributed layer of filament. The next few test models were all from the supplied USB key, and as expected, these ran through without issue.

I then progressed to my own custom test models, all initially single filament. While Anycubic had supplied a 3DBenchy model on the USB, this was highly optimised to enable fast printing, so I loaded my stock version and was able to get a decent model in around 33 minutes with a clear surface and decent structure.

As I progressed through the test, pushing 4 kg of filament through for a variety of parts and projects, the printer remained consistent, and at all times, the four filament spools were left exposed to the elements rather than being protected in dry boxes. The printer was able to withstand the workshop temperatures, which could dip to around 10ºC at night.

Checking out the Autodesk / Kickstarter quality test proved that the printer, despite its price, is an exceptional value considering the quality that it is capable of printing. The highlight here is the dimensional accuracy, which I have seen with other Cartesian printers often appears to be more accurate than many Core XY printers.

Across the board, the quality tests were exceptionally good, and considering the price and the fact that it natively prints with four colors and can support up to 19, as well as having the ability to print with two materials, TPU and PLA, makes this printer an exceptional value for money.

Through the test, there were a couple of points that caused an issue. The first is that if your filaments don’t include the Anycubic RFID chip, then it isn’t always straightforward to update the printer as to what’s loaded in and a bit of fiddling was needed, essentially scanning an Anycubic reel and then popping on a third party. However, using the Anycubic FDilament with the RFID chips, loading and using a multitude of different material options was exceptionally simple.

Benchmark results

Dimensional accuracy - score of 4

Target 25 = X: 25.83mm / 0.17mm Error | Y: 25.01mm / 0.01mm Error
Target 20 = X: 19.86mm / 0.14mm Error | Y: 19.81mm / 0.19mm Error
Target 15 = X: 14.75mm / 0.25mm Error | Y: 14.87mm / 0.13mm Error
Target 10 = X: 9.79mm / 0.21mm Error | Y: 9.88mm / 0.12mm Error
Target 5 = X: 4.91mm / 0.09mm Error | Y: 4.87mm / 0.13mm Error

X Error Average = 0.172
Y Error Average = 0.116
X&Y Error Average = 0.144

Fine Flow Control - score of 2.5
Fine Negative Features - score of 5
Overhangs - score of 4
Bridging - score of 5
XY resonance - score of 2.5
Z-axis alignment - score of 2.5

Adding up the totals gives a final score of 25.5 out of 28.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

One of my other major selling points from Anycubic about this new models is the speed and reduction of filament waste. While actual print speed is increased, the new iteration of the slicer software, AnycubicSlicerNext (Kobra X), doesn’t seem to reflect the speed change compared with the AnycubicSlicer (Kobra 3) software, often quoting the Kobra 3 and Kobra X having similar print times.

Going to multi-color printing, and this is where the machine comes into its own. Again, like print speeds, the software doesn’t seem to highlight the waste difference between this and the Kobra 3; however, after printing, while the filament piles are similar, the X does have a slight filament pile reduction compared to the Kobra 3.

Having run four 1 Kg spools through the system, I’ve been impressed by the dimensional accuracy, speed and surface quality. I would, however, highlight that the print platform should be cleaned regularly.

The platform's surface, while offering good adhesion, does need to be cleaned and seems slightly more prone than usual to finger grease, so just something to be aware of. As an open-framed 3D printer, while there are limitations on what you can print, the overall performance is exceptionally good.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Anycubic Kobra X: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Anycubic Kobra X is one of the latest highly refined multi-color printers that offers a huge amount of potential. The quality of the build and design is a huge step forward from what I’ve seen in the past from the open design printers, but then, with the likes of the BambuLab A1, which was launched back in 2023, no manufacturer can get away with producing a printer that looks like it’s been put together in a workshop.

The workflow has been smoothed out, and once calibrated, which is of course all handled by the printer, as long as you ensure you maintain the rails and keep things clean after every print, the reliability is superb.

There are a couple of points on the maintenance of this printer. The first is to make sure that the print surface is always given a wipe over with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) spray and a lint-free cloth.

The other point, which is especially relevant with this and other multi-filament printers, is to clear away the filament waste pile after, and even during, each print. Those tiny piles of filament can get stuck in various parts of the printer, so don’t let them pile up.

The filament waste issue is as ever apparent, but at present, with the design that’s pretty standard and at the price that is the price you pay.

Ultimately, for a printer that is so cheap, the potential and print quality of the Kobra X is superb, and at a competitive price point, it is at present the best value in a crowded field.

Should you buy the Anycubic Kobra X?

Value:

Incredible value for money for a multifilament printer with upgrade potential for even more filaments

5

Design:

Older Cartesian design, but refined, fast and reliable

4

Features:

AnyCubic has thrown every feature going at the Kobra X, camera, advanced auto levelling, and multfilament printing

4.5

Performance:

Fast performance for the design and decent print quality with easy multifilament printing

4

Total:

Outstanding value and one of the cheapest 3D printers at this quality on the market

4.5

Buy it if...

You need multifilament printing.

Able to print with four filament colors straight out of the box, the potential is impressive for a printer at this price, wit hth eability to add more filament boxes when needed.

You want a cheap 3D printer.

At present no other printer can compete when it comes to features and price.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t like filament waste.

Like so many printers of this type, filament waste is a problem when multifilament printing.

You print with advanced materials.

While the printer is exceptional in so many ways, the open design means that it’s not suitable for printing advanced materials such as nylon and ABS.

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Affordable high-speed multi-color printing on a budget.

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Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: 30-second review

The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra is a compact mini workstation aimed at business professionals who need desktop-grade power but lack the space for a full-sized workstation.

The first thing that struck me as I lifted the MS-02 from the box was that, for such a small machine, it’s incredibly heavy at 3.45kg, which instantly gives you the hint that this is a serious piece of kit rather than your run-of-the-mill mini PC.

The matte black chassis is discreetly designed, with plenty of cooling vents running across the casing. There are also rubber feet on the base and side that let you easily orient the machine in either an upright tower or a flat desktop position. It looks and feels like a miniaturised version of a professional workstation rather than a standard Mini PC, and its full-metal exterior gives it a premium look and feel.

Checking the MS-02 reveals that this machine is the link between the Mini PC and the Desktop. It has the small size of a Mini PC but quite a bit of upgradability, including RAM, ROM, and an expansion slot. All of the upgrade potential can be easily accessed via the slide-out internal chassis.

This chassis is held in place by two thumb screws; once they are undone, the entire internals can be pulled out. You can then remove the internal modules, which do require tools, but once unscrewed and laid out, you have access to the SODIMM slots and M.2 bays. The layout and concept are similar to the old Intel NUC 9 Extreme (Ghost Canyon) Mini PC from a few years back.

The front ports are well laid out with two USB4 V2 Type-C ports running at 80Gbps, taking priority over the traditional pair of USB-A ports, and through the test with the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5, I was impressed with the transfer rates enabling me to use the drive to edit 4K video on a drive that was essentially matching the speeds of the internal SSD.

On the rear of the machine, the ports are a little more sparse, but there are some good networking options alongside the three USB-A 10Gbps ports, HDMI 2.1 FRL, and unique to the 285HX machine that I’m reviewing, the dual 25GbE SFP+ sockets alongside the more standard 10GbE and 2.5GbE RJ45 connections. Essentially, for creatives, photographers and videographers working with high-speed network-attached storage such as the UGreen idx6011 pro, this is a great option.

Performance, even with the integrated Intel graphics, was unsurprisingly good throughout all tests, from Microsoft Apps through to editing 4K video in Premiere Pro. Once again, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX showed just how powerful it is, handling 4K editing in DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro without issue or pause on rough cuts, and then moving on to more in-depth grading.

Unsurprisingly, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop ran smoothly and, more impressively, handled large raw files from both the Canon EOS R5 C and the Hasselblad X2D II 100C with ease.

I did find that without a discrete GPU, the extended timeline rendering when editing video required a bit of patience, especially as you get further into the edit, but for the majority of users, whether you're an office worker looking for a powerful machine, a creative, a photographer or a videographer or a developer looking at the AI potential, there’s plenty on offer here.

The key point is that this machine is the base, and unlike some of the best mini PCs I've tested, it offers plenty of potential for upgrades. Out of the box, this is a very powerful workstation for development and power users handling large-scale data and spreadsheets. Add a GPU, and it becomes a very competent editing suite. Essentially, the machine's design enables you to adapt its configuration to suit your needs.

Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $1159 / £1039
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Minisforum or Amazon

The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra is available directly from Minisforum's store, as well as online retailers such as Amazon.com, Newegg, and Amazon.co.uk.

Prices for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone starting at $1159 / £1039. A 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD configuration available at $1599 / £1455.

A fully specified 192GB DDR5 ECC and 2TB SSD variant is £2,679. There are also other versions of the machine available with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX or Ultra 5 235HX models, and these start at $599 / £559. As barebones, though they lack ECC memory, dual 25GbE networking, and the two additional M.2 slots exclusive to the 285HX.

• Value: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
GPU: Intel integrated graphics
AI Engine: NPU
Memory: 4x DDR5 SODIMM slots (Up to 256GB, ECC supported (285HX only))
Storage: 2x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (up to 8TB each) + 2x M.2 on 25GbE NIC card (PCIe 3.0/4.0) 285HX only; up to 24TB total
Networking: 2x 25GbE SFP+ (Intel E810, 285HX only); 1x 10GbE RJ45; 1x 2.5GbE RJ45; Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE200); Bluetooth 5.4
Front Ports: 2x USB4 V2 Type-C, USB-A 10Gbps; 3.5mm audio jack
Rear Ports: HDMI 2.1 FRL (8K@60Hz); USB4 Type-C (40Gbps); 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 2x 25GbE SFP+, 10GbE + 2.5GbE RJ45
Internal expansion: 1x PCIe 5.0 x16; 1x PCIe 4.0 x4; 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 (occupied by 25GbE NIC on 285HX)
OS: Windows 11 Pro
Dimensions: 221.5 x 97 x 225mm
Weight: 3.45kg (for the 285HX model)

Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: Design

The MS-02 Ultra is a serious-looking machine with simple styling and a black matte finish. The machine is larger than your average mini PC; however, it has been designed to be positioned either as a mini tower or laid flat on a desk, with quality rubber feet to support both orientations.

Despite being small, measuring just 221.5 x 97 x 225mm, the 3.45kg weight as I lifted it out of the box immediately signalled that this was something more than a standard consumer mini PC. It’s substantially smaller than a conventional tower workstation but larger than a Mini PC, and it draws on the design of both.

Build quality is excellent throughout. The casing is solid and made entirely of metal, reinforcing its premium aesthetics. It also makes it easy to mount within other furniture and equipment, with the tough metal casing ensuring it will look the part in any stylish office and out in the field if used as an on-site workstation.

The design feature that stood out is the slide-out internal chassis, which is secured in place by two thumb screws. Once these are removed (which takes seconds), the entire internal assembly slides out, giving you easy access to the SODIMM slots, M.2 bays, PCIe slots, and the cooling assembly. This style of access is more familiar to desktop users than to Mini PC owners.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

On the front of the machine, there are two USB4 V2 Type-C ports at 80Gbps alongside a single USB-A port and a standard 3.5mm combo jack for a headset. At the rear, there are three additional USB-A ports, all 10Gbps; HDMI 2.1 FRL; a USB4 Type-C port at 40Gbps; and the 285HX's dual 25GbE SFP+.

Then there are the more common 10GbE RJ45 and 2.5GbE RJ45. When it comes to display output options, the choices are a little limited: either HDMI 2.1 or USB4. While this might not meet the demands of gamers in a professional setup, it should meet most people's demands.

Obviously, being a small workstation, heat can build up, and during the test, the fans kick in early to keep things cool. Given their small size, those fans are notably louder than those on a large workstation, which often run near silent.

I was interested to see if the metal casing also worked as a heat sink, but checking the casing surface, the temperatures under sustained load remained pretty cool, and while warm to the touch around the mid and lower sections, the heat from the internals seemed well distributed.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: Features

The feature set of the 285HX model is where the MS-02 Ultra really sets itself apart from what we’d usually expect from a mini PC.

Even compared with the other model in the range, the 285HX with it’s flagship configuration adds ECC DDR5 memory support (error-correcting memory for greater data reliability), dual 25GbE SFP+ networking via an Intel E810 controller (two 25 gigabit Ethernet ports with SFP+ interfaces for advanced networking), and a fourth and fifth M.2 NVMe slot integrated onto the 25GbE NIC card (additional high-speed storage slots built into the network card).

That takes total on-board storage capacity to 24TB across four drives. The lower-spec 275HX and 235HX models share the same chassis but lose all three of these features, making the 285HX a much more capable model for more power-hungry users.

What these upgraded specifications mean in certain fields, such as creative, is an enhancement in workflow reliability, especially with ECC memory.

The storage options for a machine of this size are significant, with four M.2 slots that can be used independently either as separate drives for project, media, cache, and archive, for example, or you can choose to configure in RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10. This means you can potentially have 24TB of fast SSD storage appear as a single drive, and then offload that content to a NAS when ready.

It’s worth noting that the M.2 slots are limited to PCIe 4.0 rather than the newer PCIe 5.0 standard, which limits transfer speeds; however, in real-world creative workloads, this additional speed is rarely noticeable.

On the front, there are two USB4 V2 ports, which I was able to test with a LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 external storage device, and the uplift in speed was significant, almost double that recorded on older USB 4.0.

Wired connectivity is the big network feature for this machine, but alongside is the Wifi connection. The machine handles Wi-Fi 7 using an Intel BE200 module. In testing against a Fritz! Box 5690 Pro: the raw throughput connection speed to drives connected to the wireless network was higher than on the Wi-Fi 6 network. But the connection's consistency and reliability were noticeably better.

Wired connectivity via the 10GbE port proved fast in studio use, and the fact that the machine also has 25GbE SFP+ ports offers future upgrade potential, especially for studios building high-speed NAS infrastructure, really highlighting that my network is ready for an upgrade.

The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot adds the ability to upgrade the machine and, to a certain degree, will future-proof your investment, with room for a low-profile GPU should the integrated graphics prove insufficient. This might be of particular concern if you have intensive rendering workloads.

The system also supports Intel vPro with BIOS-level KVM on the 285HX, enabling full remote management for 24/7 deployment, which is essential for larger corporations that will have home and remote workers.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Features: 5 / 5

Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: PerformanceBenchmark scores

CrystalDiskMark Read: 6,136.46 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 5,338.79 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Single: 3,058
Geekbench CPU Multi: 18,366
Geekbench GPU: 19,645
PCMark Overall: 7,983
Cinebench CPU Single: 2,277
Cinebench CPU Multi: 35,080
3DMark Fire Strike Overall: 4,657
3DMark Fire Strike Graphics: 4,799
3DMark Fire Strike Physics: 49,395
3DMark Fire Strike Combined: 1,806
3DMark Time Spy Overall: 2,315
3DMark Time Spy Graphics: 2,025
3DMark Time Spy CPU: 12,262
3DMark Wild Life Overall: 14,166
3DMark Steel Nomad Overall: 407
Windows Experience Index: 8.2
USB4 V2 External Read (LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5): 6,012.07 MB/s
USB4 V2 External Write (LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5): 4,053.44 MB/s

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is an impressive CPU for a machine of this size, and the benchmark results reflect that. The Geekbench multi-core score of 18,366 and Cinebench multi-core result of 35,080 place this well within workstation territory, and the PCMark overall score of 7,983 confirms that real-world productivity performance is excellent across the board. SSD read speeds of 6,136 MB/s and write speeds of 5,338 MB/s from the installed NVMe drive are excellent for a PCIe 4.0 module, although, as mentioned earlier, it would have been great to have seen at least one PCIe 5.0 option.

In creative applications, the machine is ideal for working in a photography and video studio, being able to fit on a desktop neatly, and the size also makes it ultra portable if it does need to be installed into a movable workstation.

Through the test using Lightroom Classic and the power of the machine, it was able to manage large libraries and complex adjustments from Hasselblad X2D II 100C files without issue, and Photoshop ran large raw files with the same ease.

For video, DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro both handled rough cuts and colour grading of Canon EOS R5 C Log3 4K footage as well as any machine I’ve tried. As expected with integrated graphics only, timeline rendering on longer projects required leaving the machine to sit after each significant editing session, just to enable time for the timeline to render before applying grades and effects, essentially a build-and-render approach, which is common.

Loading several more demanding apps at once showed that multitasking abilities were handled well. Switching between Photoshop and Premiere Pro caused no lag, and running Microsoft Office applications alongside the creative suite also proved well within the machine's abilities. For five- to ten-minute 4K edits, at least the 64GB of ECC RAM in the review unit proved well balanced to the workload.

Another point here on the performance is the speed of the internal SSDs that are able to transfer the large amounts of data needed for video editing. The benchmark results returned a CrystalDiskMark Read speed of 6,136.46 MB/s and Write of 5,338.79 MB/s. What was impressive here was connecting the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 to the USB4 V2 External port on the front, which registered 6,012.07 MB/s read and 4,053.44 MB/s, showing a significant speed increase over standard USB 4.0.

Video editing can put a huge demand on all components in the machine, and thermal throttling can be a real issue. As I started to push the system, the fans kicked in early to help keep things cool, and while the volume of these remained low, they were noticeable, especially compared directly against my usual video workstation.

What this load did reveal was the performance held up over a five-hour editing session with no signs of throttling. The cooling solution inside, which consists of six heat pipes with phase-change material and a dual-fan chamber, managed the sustained processing loads on the electronics.

The GPU performance from the integrated Intel graphics was OK for all creative tasks during the test, but if you are considering this for any process that relies on a graphics card, then connecting an eGPU is going to be essential. The 3DMark scores with Fire Strike at 4,657 and Time Spy at 2,315 reflect the limits of integrated graphics rather than the CPU falling short. Reassuringly, there is room in the chassis for a dual-slot low-profile GPU, and the 350W internal PSU includes a spare 8-pin connector to power it.

Taking a break from testing, I tried out the game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which ran surprisingly well at mid-level settings, and far better than many gaming-focused mini PCs I've reviewed. It shows just how powerful that CPU is without the support of a discrete GPU..

One other note on the test: the dual 25GbE SFP+ ports were not tested during the review period due to the absence of a compatible 25GbE switch. A follow-up test is planned once the network infrastructure is in place.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Minisforum MS-02 Ultra: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra and flagship 285HX variant that I’ve looked at in this review offers a substantial feature set for a machine of this size, which will give it wide appeal for businesses looking for a powerful and compact machine at a reasonable price.

Features such as the ECC memory, dual 25GbE networking, four M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 expansion, and Intel vPro together add up to a platform that can serve as a creative workstation, a compact server node, a home lab host, or all three.

For larger businesses, the inclusion of Intel vPro means that they can manage the machine securely over a remote connection, which will be of definite appeal.

In the creative field and any photographer or videographer working with large-format files, this machine, with the combination of fast internal storage, high-speed USB4 V2 connectivity, and network offload via 10GbE or 25GbE, makes it an interesting choice, especially with the potential to pop in a discreet GPU. The small size of a machine with this power also means that it will be equally at home as a static desk machine or moved between locations.

There are a few downsides to the machine, and while there is a barebones version, even with the ready-to-go review configuration for many, this will just be the base machine. The out-of-the-box storage of 1TB fills quickly in creative workflows, and upgrading to 4TB or more will be essential.

Then there’s the Intel Graphics that actually proved to be pretty powerful through the test; however, if you are working with graphics or anything that requires the GPU for processing, then a card will need to be added.

The 64GB RAM of the review unit was well matched to the workloads I ran through the test, but anyone running this as a server or AI platform, or editing longer projects, will want to boost the RAM to 128GB or higher configurations. Once those upgrades are factored in, the total cost climbs rapidly and starts to have a value closer to a lower-end full-sized workstation.

Essentially, the small size of the machine and the price make it a viable option; it’s just worth keeping in mind that the out-of-the-box configuration is just the start, and what you install for your workload will add cost. However, even at the top end of Mini PC models, there’s nothing to compete with this flexibility, and even the cheapest workstation is going to be significantly larger, which makes this a great solution all round.

Should I buy the Minisforum MS-02 Ultra?

Value

PC, but budget for upgrades should be factored in to unlock full potential. 

4.5

Design

Slide-out chassis and full metal casing are robust and look great.

4.5

Features

Unique 285HX feature set and upgrades are unmatched at this form factor

5

Performance

Ultra-fast CPU and performance across the board, with upgrades available if more power is needed. 4/5

4.5

Overall

Work Stations can be phenomenally expensive, this gives you a powerful base at a great price to build on

5

Buy it if...

You need a compact workstation.

The 285HX CPU, ECC memory, and four M.2 slots make this a great desktop replacement for creative and professional workloads.

You're building a high-speed studio or home lab. 

The fast network options, including the dual 25GbE networking and PCIe expansion, make this an option as a network node or dev machine.

Don't buy it if...

You need GPU performance. 

Without a discrete GPU, sustained rendering and GPU-intensive tasks will be limited; however, a GPU can be added.

You want simplicity

The barebone configuration requires investment and some technical knowledge to configure optimally.

For more options, we've tested and reviewed the best mobile workstations and the best business computers.

A compact, highly expandable mini workstation that features the latest enterprise-grade networking, a powerful AI-enhanced CPU, and a modular design.

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