MSI Cubi NUC AI+: Is AI power worth the trade-off in performance?

The AI ​​race and the emergence of a dedicated mini-PC.

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is one of the first mini PCs on the market designed with an artificial intelligence focus, as evidenced by its Copilot+ certification from Microsoft. Aimed at businesses and small workspaces, this product boasts a compact design and many convenient features. However, with a starting price of $895 for the barebones version, its performance becomes a major consideration when compared to more powerful competitors such as the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ or the Apple Mac mini.

Compact design and features geared towards businesses.

Measuring just 2 x 5.3 x 5.2 inches, the Cubi NUC AI+ can easily be hidden behind a monitor or under a desk. MSI has included a VESA mount (compatible with 75x75mm and 100x100mm) to optimize installation. The chassis is a combination of metal and plastic, with 37% recycled materials, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability.

The highlight of the Cubi NUC AI+'s design is its features geared towards the enterprise environment. It has an external wired power switch, useful when the device is located in a hard-to-reach place. The integrated fingerprint reader on the power button and a dedicated Copilot button on the front are also valuable additions. In terms of connectivity, the product offers a full range of essential ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, and notably, two 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports, allowing for redundant network connections or simultaneous connection to two different networks.

Performance analysis: The power of AI and the trade-offs

The reviewed version uses an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This chip belongs to the "Lunar Lake" V-class, which is optimized for ultra-portable laptops, so its performance is somewhat more modest compared to Intel's H-class chips or Apple's M4 Pro.

Office tasks and content creation

In general performance tests like PCMark 10, the Cubi NUC AI+ performed at an average level, ranking behind the Asus NUC Pro 15+ but outperforming the ECS Liva Z7 Plus. However, in more in-depth CPU tests such as Cinebench 2024 or HandBrake, MSI's product proved significantly weaker than its Asus and Apple counterparts, failing to consistently surpass even the cheaper Liva Z7 Plus.

Nevertheless, it's worth noting that the Cubi NUC AI+ still handles everyday office tasks smoothly. Its biggest differentiator lies in its powerful NPU (neural processing unit), which gives it an advantage for future AI-enhanced applications, something that traditional performance tests can't fully reflect.

Integrated graphics capabilities

With its integrated Intel Arc 140V graphics, the Cubi NUC AI+ is not a machine designed for gaming or handling demanding 3D tasks. Results from 3DMark tests show that its graphics performance is only basic, suitable for typical office work or managing multiple displays.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG Specifications Table

Conclusion: An option for the future of AI, but not optimal at present.

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is a pioneering product with a strong focus on AI processing capabilities and Copilot+ certification. Features such as VESA mounting, external power switch, and dual network ports make it an attractive option for businesses needing to deploy computing on a large scale and in tight spaces.

However, the high price is a major barrier, as the machine's raw performance lags behind its direct competitors. Unless there is a pressing need for NPU-accelerated AI tasks, the Asus NUC Pro 15+ remains a better value for money in the Windows world, while the Apple Mac mini continues to lead the segment in overall processing power.