Sure, let’s jump into this, shall we? So, there I was, deep in the land of MSI, a brand I’ve probably used more than I’ve used a spoon. And why not? They’re like the go-to folks when it comes to graphics cards and motherboards, ya know? My PCs (and those I built for others) are pretty much a shrine to MSI at this point. But, and here’s the twist, they’ve got more in their wheelhouse than I even realized.
So, yeah, I know they’re all about those budget-friendly gaming laptops. We all love a good sale, right? Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday…you name it. They’re kinda like that solid intro into gaming when you don’t have a suitcase full of cash lying around. But mini PCs? Honestly, never paid attention until I saw those intriguing tiny “Cubi” things at CES 2025. They’re a blast from MSI’s creative side, I guess.
Fast forward to me in their London digs — I know, fancy, right? They spilled the beans about their new AI-focused mini PCs running on Windows 11. I got my hands on a sample (lucky me) and caught a glimpse of why they’re diving into the mini PC ocean with the Cubi NUC A1 1UM and AI+ 2MG models. Who knew?
Oh, and here’s a sidebar for ya — Intel cooked up this NUC (Next Unit of Computing) idea back in 2013. They used those “Sandy Bridge” processors — sounds fancy, huh? Everything kept evolving until ASUS grabbed the NUC license. Now MSI and others are playing with mini PCs that, believe it or not, aren’t chained to Intel chips alone. Yep, the tech world never stands still, does it?
MSI, they’re fans of the classics, keeping the NUC name alive, but with a twist. Their new stuff uses Intel’s flashy “Lunar Lake” and “Meteor Lake” processors — lots of lakes, apparently. You can tweak them if you’re into that sort of thing.
Picture this: Mini PCs, cube-shaped like something out of a sci-fi thriller, full of Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, rocking Windows 11. A tiny powerhouse, right? MSI’s spicing things up with these little machines, hoping to stand out.
They’re big into being eco-friendly, too. These Cubis are made from something called PCR (nope, not the test), which means recycled stuff. That’s Gökhan Bodur’s, MSI UK’s marketing head, claim. He’s all about cutting out plastic waste. I mean, who doesn’t cheer for some planet-loving moves?
Oh, did I mention? These CUBIs are super compact. The Cubi NUC AI 1UMG is like teeny-tiny at 0.51 liters, and its buddy, the AI+ 2MG, is a slightly bigger tiny at 0.826 liters. Both come with a detachable power button — kind of fun, sticking them on the back of a monitor with a VESA mount. It’s like a Rubik’s cube for grown-ups.
And wait — they’ve got something clever called “Wake on LAN” for when you’re feeling fancy. BUSY with digital signage? No problem — you can run four screens. Display menus, set up a snazzy ordering system… MSI’s looking at the future while I’m still trying to find the HDMI port on my TV.
Sure, it’s not all sunshine. The display options are fab, yet it’s no bargain. But hey, you get what you pay for with innovation, right? So, if you’re itching for something small yet mighty, MSI’s got options — priced to match their punch.
Wrapping it up with a bow — these little gadgets are joining the big league, stepping beyond the CES spotlight into the mainstream. Here’s hoping they manage a sequel that’s just as exciting. Until then, go ahead, add some tiny tech flair to your life with MSI. Because why not?
