MSI launches two Cubi NUC AI mini PCs, but I’m still waiting for one with a Thunderbolt 5 port
- MSI is the latest vendor to jump on the AI PC bandwagon
- The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M is a mini PC with 11 ports and 1 card reader but no TB5
- It comes with a dedicated Copilot button and a fingerprint reader
MSI has unveiled two new Cubi mini PC offerings at CES 2025, and it probably comes as no surprise that these models have AI in their names. The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and the Cubi NUC AI 1UM offer on-device AI capabilities and are designed to deliver powerful performance in a compact form factor suitable for any workspace.
The larger Cubi NUC AI+ 2M measures 0.826 liters and is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra processors from the Lunar Lake platform, with configurations up to the Core Ultra 7 258V. It features Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics and up to 32 GB LPDDR5X on package memory. Storage is supported via one M.2 2280 SSD slot. The device can deliver up to 115 TOPS of processing power via a dedicated Intel AI Boost NPU.
The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M offers a total of 11 ports. On the front there are two 10Gbps USB Type-A ports and a microSD card reader, as well as a one-touch power button with fingerprint for extra security, and a Copilot button for direct access to AI tools like CoCreator and Windows Studio Effects, Live Subtitles and Live Translation. There’s also a built-in microphone and speaker for voice commands.
No Copilot button on the smaller model
The rear panel houses dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which supports PD-in up to 100 watts (it’s a shame MSI hasn’t yet embraced Thunderbolt 5 for even faster data transfer speeds), dual HDMI ports, and two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports. The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M can control up to three screens and supports WiFi 7 for fast wireless connectivity.
The Cubi NUC AI 1UM is a smaller and probably more affordable alternative, with a capacity of 0.51 liters. It is powered by Intel Core Ultra 100 Meteor Lake processors, including options up to the Core Ultra 7 155H.
It supports dual SODIMM DDR5 memory slots and two M.2 SSD drives, and like its bigger sibling it includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI outputs and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports. It can control four screens, but does not have a Copilot button.
Both models support MSI Power Link, which allows power control via select MSI monitors and reduces cable clutter, especially when mounted behind a monitor. Pricing details for both have not yet been announced.