MSI has announced two new compact machines joining its Cubi series, featuring beefy processors and upgradeable components. Thanks to their support for Microsoft Copilot+, they represent a convenient solution for office spaces that have incorporated AI in their workflow.
Cubi NUC AI 1UGM
Starting with NUC AI 1UGM, we find a 0.51-litre box housing up to a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. Though small enough to fit in your hand, this machine retains a good amount of customisability, allowing you to choose your memory and storage. Though MSI didn’t specify the maximum RAM support, the CPU is rated for up to 96GB of DDR5-5600, which is more than most tasks will require. As for storage, you have two Gen 4 x4 M.2 slots, ready to house high-capacity NVMe SSDs. And if that doesn’t quench your thirst for storage, you can always connect a NAS (or two) via the Thunderbolt and LAN ports.
While we are at it, NUC AI 1UGM offers a good number of ports, including dual 2.5GbE LAN and Thunderbolt 4 ports, in addition to multiple USB Type-A and Type-C. Combined with the HDMI video output, this NUC can manage up to four displays at once, making for an efficient and silent video surveillance and monitoring machine.
NUC AI 1UGM is a compact machine that does its job while hiding behind the shadows. Better yet, you can slap it on the back of your monitor for a clean desk.
Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG
Following a similar design philosophy, NUC AI+ 2MG mainly swaps internal components for more modern ones. Starting with the CPU, you get a Lunar Lake chip boasting fantastic efficiency characteristics alongside low-power LPDDR5X memory support. Even the highest option available on a Cubi, Core Ultra 7 258V, sips power with official ratings of 17W base and 37W turbo. That said, the CPU core count now tops out at just eight, split into four P-cores and four E-cores.
Surprisingly, even though the CPU is more efficient, the machine’s size is bigger than its sibling, clocking at 0.826 litres. Even more intriguing knowing that the bundled 32GB of LPDDR5X memory comes soldered to the CPU package, thus saving the space otherwise taken up by the SO-DIMM slots.
With memory upgrades locked away, the only modular part left is the storage, comprised of one Gen 5 x4 M.2 slot. Like NUC AI 1UGM, if you need more, you will have to opt for a NAS unit, connected via Thunderbolt, USB, or LAN.
This brings us to I/O, where NUC AI+ 2MG shines with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 10Gbps, USB 2.0 for peripherals, two 2.5GbE LAN, a microSD card reader, a headphones jack, and HDMI with Power Link support. The latter allows compatible MSI monitors to turn on the NUC.
Those working with AI may also appreciate the dedicated Copilot+ button on the chassis’ front, bringing Microsoft’s assistant within arm’s reach. Thanks to its improved security features, you can have peace of mind knowing that your fingerprint is required to log in – a security aspect that is further enhanced with chassis intrusion detection, ready to alert IT Admins of unauthorised access.
Overall, both seem to be worthy options for office work, especially if AI is part of it. Cubi NUC AI 1UGM seems the best, both due to its smaller size and beefier CPU, but if efficiency is paramount, Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is the way to go.
