I bought one of these S100 machines from Minisforum, and have been using it for a couple of weeks now. It was purchased, along with a 24" Dell Ultrasharp monitor, to replace a stationary, aging 18.3" HP laptop. I replaced the Windows 11 Home on it when it arrived with Windows 11 Pro, so it could join my Windows domain. The machine, when powered using the included USB-C charging adapter barely gets warm. The S100 will be used wirelessly all the time, paired with a Bluetooth keyboard. Its WiFi works reliably with a UniFi Express WiFi 6 access point. There is a power setting in the S100 BIOS that allows you to set the default 6000 (6 watt) power cap to any number up to 9000 (9 watts). I have that set to the maximum, favoring performance over power savings. All said, I am pleased with this machine, as I am pleased with the Minisforum MS-01 I purchased before it.
@@0xKruzr I moved most of the necessary VMs from an R740 onto it for the summer to save power and give the AC a bit more oomph. Unfortunately the little box topped out with only 96G. The R740 was using about twice that. I also needed to power on a little N100 box for a couple more VMs, including a second domain controller that I don't want on the same host as the first.
Can we appreciate that this computer is cheaper than a raspberry pi, more software compatible (although the Pi has excellent compatibility), twice as performant, and actually doesn't lie on the specs? I remeber when the Pi4 was promising 4kp60...... well lets just say it cannot even properly do 1080p... let alone 4k.... and i'm not talking about videos or gaming.... i'm talking about just moving windows around and scrolling a browser page.
Having that said, I'm still pissed this thing doesn't run Arch. Tried everything to get Arch (and Kubuntu) installed on this and it doesn't work. Someone says they got Linux Mint running on the S100 though, so I might try that though I'd still be unhappy in the end.
I got mine. I am massively disappointed that there are no BIOS settings to allow Linux to be installed. My plan was to used it as a low powered server to take off some services off of my main kit, but alas, that can't happen. I hope there is a BIOS update soon.
@@dmpreis, I installed the latest version of Mint bij completely overwriting the entire partition. (Boot from USB.) However, the result is completely unstable. The S100 completely shutdowns after minutes / hours with zero load. :-( Don't know if it is the device or a more general issue. (only runs Docker with Docker Compose in a container.) I have another one sealed in the box, maybe should image that windows version and rewrite it over mint to see if that solves the shutdwons.
The N100 can support 32GB single channel ram. I've upgraded my BeeLink S12 Pro based on the N100 to 32GB and no problems to report. Though it looks like the RAM is soldered to the board :-( no upgrade for this machine.
@@TechnicallyUnsure Simply drop GRUB and use systemd-boot like Proxmox installs it. This device is one of those which allow only UEFI boot. Look at the Proxmox boot menu after installing Proxmox. It's not GRUB, it's systemd boot.
I'd like to use this as a poe thin client with capability to convert to full office PC (linux). Does the usb-c port support DP multi stream transport to attach at least 2x wqhd (x1440) ?
I know, but still doesn't help. Ubuntu/Debian install with various options doesn't boot, gets stuck in grub recovery and doesn't "see" the disk to boot from
UFS... yes - I seem to be running into this breaking down, being intermittent or failing on mine after a few months of full power 24/7 proxmox usage. Now it can't run more than a week without disk issues and pve failing - with a reboot needed. will be doing more testing on setting bios to min wattage and then testing usbc power (instead )of poe to reduce heat or power variables to see if it is truly the failing ufs. wish it was replaceable nvme instead (but I know thats tooo big for this formfactor) - was an amazing box to run pve on poe with small lxc containers for dns/netboot/uptime and other small monitoring utilities. appreciate the inside look @technicallyunsure!!!
Hi all, I am looking to purchase this as a POE Device on my ui network to run purely Home Assistant. I like its power compared to a PI. Any idea if I could install Home Assistant Core OS on this, or will it need to be via Windows that it comes with first? I see some installed Proxmox.
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I bought one of these S100 machines from Minisforum, and have been using it for a couple of weeks now. It was purchased, along with a 24" Dell Ultrasharp monitor, to replace a stationary, aging 18.3" HP laptop. I replaced the Windows 11 Home on it when it arrived with Windows 11 Pro, so it could join my Windows domain. The machine, when powered using the included USB-C charging adapter barely gets warm. The S100 will be used wirelessly all the time, paired with a Bluetooth keyboard. Its WiFi works reliably with a UniFi Express WiFi 6 access point.
There is a power setting in the S100 BIOS that allows you to set the default 6000 (6 watt) power cap to any number up to 9000 (9 watts). I have that set to the maximum, favoring performance over power savings.
All said, I am pleased with this machine, as I am pleased with the Minisforum MS-01 I purchased before it.
that MS-01 is just such a perfect homelabber box.
@@0xKruzr I moved most of the necessary VMs from an R740 onto it for the summer to save power and give the AC a bit more oomph. Unfortunately the little box topped out with only 96G. The R740 was using about twice that. I also needed to power on a little N100 box for a couple more VMs, including a second domain controller that I don't want on the same host as the first.
Can we appreciate that this computer is cheaper than a raspberry pi, more software compatible (although the Pi has excellent compatibility), twice as performant, and actually doesn't lie on the specs? I remeber when the Pi4 was promising 4kp60...... well lets just say it cannot even properly do 1080p... let alone 4k.... and i'm not talking about videos or gaming.... i'm talking about just moving windows around and scrolling a browser page.
It lies in a good way
Amazon says 128gb UFS but it's actually 256gb UFS LOL
Having that said, I'm still pissed this thing doesn't run Arch.
Tried everything to get Arch (and Kubuntu) installed on this and it doesn't work. Someone says they got Linux Mint running on the S100 though, so I might try that though I'd still be unhappy in the end.
How is $200 cheaper than a raspberry pi?
I got mine. I am massively disappointed that there are no BIOS settings to allow Linux to be installed. My plan was to used it as a low powered server to take off some services off of my main kit, but alas, that can't happen. I hope there is a BIOS update soon.
mine runs linux mint. other version have problems to install.
I got Zorin OS (Ubuntu Based) to work. U have to mount the SSD manuel with a live usb
@@JurnFranken-te8hfdid you replace the Windows or running as dual-boot? Could you share which version of Mint did you installed?
@@dmpreis, I installed the latest version of Mint bij completely overwriting the entire partition. (Boot from USB.)
However, the result is completely unstable. The S100 completely shutdowns after minutes / hours with zero load. :-(
Don't know if it is the device or a more general issue. (only runs Docker with Docker Compose in a container.)
I have another one sealed in the box, maybe should image that windows version and rewrite it over mint to see if that solves the shutdwons.
@@JurnFranken-te8hf thanks much for the reply. I was able to run Ubuntu 22.04 updating the bootloader to boot from the UFS.
Great review. very useful information.
The N100 can support 32GB single channel ram. I've upgraded my BeeLink S12 Pro based on the N100 to 32GB and no problems to report. Though it looks like the RAM is soldered to the board :-( no upgrade for this machine.
what the hell? it'll boot from Debian (Proxmox) installed on the NVMe but not from Ubuntu or Fedora??
Yep, no idea why. I tried Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, all get stuck in grub recovery. But proxmox worked like a charm
@@TechnicallyUnsure Simply drop GRUB and use systemd-boot like Proxmox installs it. This device is one of those which allow only UEFI boot. Look at the Proxmox boot menu after installing Proxmox. It's not GRUB, it's systemd boot.
I'd like to use this as a poe thin client with capability to convert to full office PC (linux).
Does the usb-c port support DP multi stream transport to attach at least 2x wqhd (x1440) ?
I had the same Probleme but got Linux to work. Its not easy but it works... u need to mount the ssd manual with a live usb
Can you elaborate a bit more on how you did this? I can't get Fedora to boot
@@garydeluce464I would like to know in deep about this procedure if you don’t mind. Thanks much.
Whelp. The lack of Linux support kills this being a possible LibreELEC media player, hua?
It has a UFS disk chip, like a cell phone... Think eMMC or micro SD card, not SATA or AHCI
I know, but still doesn't help. Ubuntu/Debian install with various options doesn't boot, gets stuck in grub recovery and doesn't "see" the disk to boot from
UFS... yes - I seem to be running into this breaking down, being intermittent or failing on mine after a few months of full power 24/7 proxmox usage. Now it can't run more than a week without disk issues and pve failing - with a reboot needed. will be doing more testing on setting bios to min wattage and then testing usbc power (instead )of poe to reduce heat or power variables to see if it is truly the failing ufs. wish it was replaceable nvme instead (but I know thats tooo big for this formfactor) - was an amazing box to run pve on poe with small lxc containers for dns/netboot/uptime and other small monitoring utilities. appreciate the inside look @technicallyunsure!!!
when i saw "minisforum S100", I thought it was a minisforum that cost 100 bucks. 🤣
Hi all, I am looking to purchase this as a POE Device on my ui network to run purely Home Assistant. I like its power compared to a PI. Any idea if I could install Home Assistant Core OS on this, or will it need to be via Windows that it comes with first? I see some installed Proxmox.
Did you try it yet?
Given the fact that proxmox works and that you can put home assistant on proxmox it is definitely doable.
The position of your mic needs work, the audio comes in and out as you move around.
Thanks for letting me know, will try to improve in future videos
@@TechnicallyUnsureffr if you run it trough adobe audio enhancer it will level it perfectly.
Can i power this from ipad pro usb c port?
Raspberry pi's are the original UNIQUE COMPACT TOYS. Never forget who's your daddy.
i think in Bios the Watch Dog is enabeled so it boot to windows always !! Stop it and you will be able to install Linux without a problem