The Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro is a compact mini PC built on Intel’s Panther Lake architecture, showcased by Minisforum at CES 2026, featuring the Core Ultra X9 388H processor and up to 96GB of LPDDR5x RAM, with no confirmed price but every indication it won’t be modest. It’s the latest machine to join the OpenClaw platform wave that’s sweeping the mini PC space — and on paper, it’s the most capable one yet.
Key Takeaways
- The EliteMini M2 Pro uses Intel’s Core Ultra X9 388H, a 16-core chip with an Arc B390 iGPU capable of performance close to an RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at 1080p.
- It supports up to 96GB of LPDDR5x RAM running at 9,600 MT/s, which is unusually high for a machine this size.
- Connectivity is strong: three USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, 2.5G LAN, and a 10G LAN port are all included.
- An eGPU can be connected via the USB4 ports, giving users a path to discrete GPU performance without a full desktop build.
- No pricing or release date has been confirmed, but Minisforum’s positioning suggests this will sit at the premium end of the mini PC market.
What makes the Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro different from other mini PCs?
The EliteMini M2 Pro stands apart because it’s the first Minisforum machine to pair Intel’s Panther Lake silicon with the Arc B390 integrated GPU, a combination that pushes integrated graphics performance closer to entry-level discrete laptop GPUs than anything this form factor has managed before. That’s not a small claim for a box that fits in a drawer.
The top configuration uses the Core Ultra X9 388H, a 16-core processor, paired with the Arc B390 iGPU. According to NotebookCheck, early indications put that iGPU’s gaming performance close to an RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at 1080p. That’s the kind of number that makes you do a double-take. The base configuration, for those who don’t need the full firepower, steps down to the Core Ultra 5 338H with an Arc 370 iGPU — still a capable chip, still Panther Lake.
Memory support goes up to 96GB of LPDDR5x at 9,600 MT/s. That bandwidth matters for both AI workloads and graphics tasks where the iGPU draws from the same memory pool. It’s a spec you’d normally associate with workstation-class hardware, not something the size of a hardback book.
OpenClaw and local AI: why this platform matters right now
The OpenClaw platform is gaining traction among mini PC vendors precisely because local AI processing has become a genuine priority for privacy-conscious users and businesses wary of cloud dependency. The EliteMini M2 Pro addresses this directly, emphasising a hybrid mode that balances local and cloud AI workloads while accounting for OpenClaw’s known security considerations.
This isn’t just marketing. The shift toward on-device AI inference is real, and machines with fast, high-bandwidth memory and capable integrated graphics are the hardware that makes it practical. The M2 Pro’s 96GB LPDDR5x pool gives it headroom that most mini PCs simply don’t have, making it a credible platform for running larger local AI models without throttling.
How does it connect and expand?
The port selection on the EliteMini M2 Pro is one of its strongest arguments. Three USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI output, one DisplayPort, a 2.5G LAN port, a 10G LAN port, and two USB Type-A ports cover most professional and creative use cases without needing a dock. The 10G LAN inclusion is particularly welcome for anyone running this as a home server or NAS companion.
eGPU support via the USB4 ports adds a meaningful upgrade path. If the Arc B390’s gaming performance eventually hits a ceiling, connecting an external GPU enclosure keeps the machine relevant without a full replacement. That’s a smarter long-term proposition than most mini PCs offer.
Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro vs the rest of Minisforum’s CES 2026 lineup
Minisforum arrived at CES 2026 with a crowded table. The AI X1 Pro-470 runs AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 with a Radeon 890M iGPU, supports up to 128GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, and adds Thunderbolt 5 — a port the M2 Pro doesn’t include. For users who prioritise AMD’s ecosystem or need Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth, the AI X1 Pro-470 is the more obvious choice.
At the other end of the spectrum, the MS-02 Ultra targets workstation users with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285HX, up to 256GB of ECC memory, four M.2 slots, three PCIe slots, and dual 25GbE networking — and a refreshed version now supports gaming GPUs. It’s currently listed at $1,159.99 on Amazon, which gives some sense of where Minisforum prices its premium hardware. The M2 Pro, with its Panther Lake silicon and 96GB RAM ceiling, will likely land somewhere in that territory or above.
The upcoming MS-03 is worth watching too. It replaces the MS-01 with a Core Ultra 7 356H running at 70W TDP in a 195 x 195 x 43.5 mm chassis — a more efficiency-focused option for users who don’t need the M2 Pro’s raw ceiling.
Is the EliteMini M2 Pro worth waiting for?
That depends entirely on what you’re building. For local AI workloads, the combination of Panther Lake silicon, Arc B390 graphics, and 96GB of fast memory is genuinely compelling. For 1080p gaming from a mini PC without an eGPU, the Arc B390’s performance figures are encouraging, though early iGPU benchmarks from limited testing should be treated with appropriate caution until independent reviews confirm them.
Who should buy the Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro?
The M2 Pro is built for users who want serious local AI processing, strong integrated graphics, and workstation-grade connectivity in a compact chassis. Developers running local language models, creative professionals who need fast memory bandwidth, and power users who’ve outgrown conventional mini PCs are the natural audience. Casual users or anyone primarily browsing and streaming should look at more affordable options — this machine’s price point will reflect its ambitions.
When will the Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro be available?
No confirmed release date or pricing has been announced as of the CES 2026 showcase. Minisforum has indicated availability is expected soon after the event, but no regional details or retail channels have been confirmed. Check Minisforum’s official channels for updates as they come.
The Minisforum EliteMini M2 Pro is the clearest sign yet that mini PCs are no longer a compromise category. Intel’s Panther Lake platform, paired with Arc B390 graphics and 96GB of LPDDR5x memory, puts this machine in genuinely interesting territory — assuming the price doesn’t make it a niche curiosity. The OpenClaw wave is real, the hardware is ready, and now it’s on Minisforum to price it like they want people to actually buy it.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
