It depends on the CPU, the load, and the selected case option. The CPU will throttle when the load gets too high. They are using mobile/low-power CPUs. It’s generally fine if you don’t plan to have long-running heavy all-core loads. There is really no alternative to such cooling-fin cases in order to have a 100% silent PC.
For more processing power, a large case with quiet fans (e.g. Noctua) and a massive CPU cooler is the way to go, but isn’t completely silent (depending on load and environment noise level), and you’ll have to build it yourself.
Minisforum MS-01 is way better since it can function as a router and NAS / server with high uplink. It sports 2x 2.5 gbit, 2x SFP+, and all of these are decent Intel NICs (i226-LM, i226-V, X710). The X710 supports SR-IOV. It also has a PCIe slot you can use, for example to add another 10 gbit NIC or two 2.5 gbit. And it has an on-board WLAN (which you can remove). Actively cooled, which is IMO what you want. It has 3 NVMe slots, though you could also use that PCIe slot for another one.
"At the end of the day, if you are looking for a P-core enabled high-performance mini server or workstation, the Minisforum MS-01 is probably the best out there right now."
The review is why I bought the damn thing. But I didn't go for the most expensive option and bought my own RAM and NVMe for it. NVMe I went with a Samsung PM9A3 for filesystem consistency and heavy writes with Proxmox. For RAM I just went with w/e. It isn't ECC, but also not as bad as non-ECC.
Is the machine perfect, no it isn't. For example all the power saving stuff does not work if you want to use the I226-LM NIC 24/7 and that is a bummer. Also, it took 3 months to arrive (approx 1 month longer than advertised). But other than that? Great machine.
> And the next sentence says "On the other hand, this is a $619 list price CPU"...
You are misquoting. The next sentence does not say such.
The quote is "At the end of the day, if you are looking for a P-core enabled high-performance mini server or workstation, the Minisforum MS-01 is probably the best out there right now.". After that comes a new part of the article, concerning Where to Buy.
What you quote is mentioned in the article, but taken out of context by you. The full quote however is:
> The Minisforum MS-01 is a really awesome machine. Let us simply say that first. It is hard to make a system that pleases everyone. For one, I might want more RAM capacity and a lower-end CPU. On the other hand, this is a $619 list price CPU (Core i9-13900H) that comes in a system with a SSD, RAM, multiple network ports, chassis, and so forth for $829. That is a lot of extra components for $210. While I may want a lower power processor, I am not sure how much better of a value it would end up being.
In other words, it is actually a compliment. But the Core i9-13900H is the most expensive option. I didn't go for that one. Besides, I also put in my own SSD and RAM (and SFP+).
The primary bottleneck is the PSU. Limit the current draw to 65W (also during turbo boost) and you've got yourself the perfect workstation at a very reasonable price!