Minisforum makes a range of mini PCs, including the UM, MS-01, MS-02 Ultra, AI X1 Pro and M1 series, and sells them with Windows 11 in many configurations. The Thinvent Aero Mini PC with Intel Core i3-1215U is the closest Thinvent match for a compact Windows 11 desktop. Thinvent's Aero line is supplied with Windows 11 Pro as one of its operating system choices, and it supports up to 64 GB of RAM.
Minisforum Windows 11 Mini PCs vs Thinvent Mini PCs
| Minisforum Mini PC range (Windows 11) | Thinvent Aero Mini PC, Intel Core i3-1215U | Thinvent IPC5 Industrial PC, Intel Core i7-1255U | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9 and Ryzen options, by model | Intel Core i3-1215U | Intel Core i7-1255U |
| Cores/Threads | Not confirmed | 6 cores | 10 cores |
| RAM | Up to 96 GB or 128 GB, by model | Up to 64 GB | Up to 64 GB |
| Storage | Dual or triple M.2 SSD, by model | 32 GB to 2 TB (128 GB configuration shown) | 128 GB to 2 TB |
| Form Factor | Mini PC | Mini PC | Industrial PC |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux Embedded Linux, Without OS, DOS | Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, Ubuntu Linux, Thinux Embedded Linux, Without OS, DOS |
| Wireless | Model dependent | No WiFi | Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Key differences
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Thinvent Aero Mini PC supports up to 64 GB of RAM with its Intel Core i3-1215U, and lets the buyer choose Windows 11 Pro or another operating system.
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Thinvent IPC5 with Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and dual-band Wi-Fi 5, and is fanless with an aluminium housing.
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Thinvent IPC5 and IPC3 are fanless industrial PCs with 0°C to 50°C operating temperature, and include RS232 serial ports.
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Minisforum's MS-01 and MS-02 Ultra models have higher RAM and storage maximums, and include multiple 10G or 25G network ports, which Thinvent's listed models do not have.
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Thinvent Aero has no built-in WiFi. Buyers who need wireless should choose the IPC5 with Intel Core i7-1255U.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a Minisforum mini PC if you need the highest RAM, multiple high-speed network ports, or a higher-performance processor in a compact case. Choose a Thinvent Aero Mini PC for a compact desktop with a choice of Windows 11 Pro or Linux. Choose the Thinvent IPC5 for a fanless, rugged system with serial ports and built-in wireless.
