In terms of appearance, the Cubi NUC AI+ stands out due to its compact size, measuring just 2 by 5.3 by 5.2 inches (HWD). Its footprint is slightly trimmer than the ECS Liva Z7 Plus (2 by 5.5 by 5.5 inches), although both the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ (1.6 by 5.7 by 4.4 inches) and the Apple Mac mini (2 by 5 by 5 inches) surpass it in overall volume.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The Cubi’s size works to its advantage: MSI includes a VESA mount compatible with 75-by-75mm and 100-by-100mm patterns, allowing for discreet installation behind monitors or within kiosks. A Kensington-style lock slot on its left adds a layer of physical security for public or shared environments.
The chassis combines a metal frame with a plastic shell, approximately 37% of which is composed of post-consumer recycled materials. For sustainability, MSI also ships the unit in FSC-certified cartons.
Up front, the Cubi features a power button with an integrated fingerprint reader, a dedicated Copilot button for summoning Microsoft’s AI assistant (in case your keyboard doesn’t have one), two 10Gbps USB Type-A ports, a microSD card reader, and an audio jack.
Around back, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a full-size HDMI 2.1 monitor output, and the power input for the laptop-style AC adapter. Dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet jacks facilitate networking from the rear panel. This networking redundancy in the event of failures can also enable the system to simultaneously connect to an organization’s protected intranet and the wider internet.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
MSI added more thoughtful touches to streamline the deployment process for businesses. The HDMI port supports Power Link, enabling compatible monitors to automatically power on the system. The Cubi also features an external power switch on a cable that connects to a dedicated port on the right edge—ideal if you’ve mounted the Cubi out of reach.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Accessing the internals is straightforward: loosen four perimeter screws on the underside to lift the bottom panel. While the panel remains tethered by a mono speaker cable, that speaker provides basic onboard audio, a rarity in mini PCs. The Cubi also features integrated microphones.
Get Our Best Stories!
All the Latest Tech, Tested by Our Experts
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Inside, the Cubi secures the M.2 2280 SSD beneath a heatsink, while the upgradable M.2 2230 wireless card—an Intel AX211 in our unit—supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The wireless antennas are integrated into the chassis, eliminating the need for external stubs.
