MSI Cubi Cubi NUC 13MQG Mini Review

The MSI Cubi NUC 1MG is a barebones mini PC with great ports but a DIY requirement. Its 98th percentile connectivity is the highlight, but you must add your own RAM, storage, and OS. Only worth it at the low end of its $406-$849 price range if you have spare parts.

The MSI Cubi NUC 1MG is a barebones mini PC, which means you're buying a tiny, empty shell. You'll need to add your own RAM, storage, and operating system before it does anything useful. It's built around a 10-core Intel Core 5 120U processor, and its main claim to fame is a ton of connectivity packed into a 0.63kg box.

This isn't a plug-and-play solution. It's a project. But if you need a compact, customizable machine for office work or light development tasks, and you don't mind sourcing the parts yourself, this could be a clean starting point.

Performance is a mixed bag. The 10-core CPU is decent for multitasking, landing in the 41st percentile, so it can handle office apps and web browsing just fine. The integrated Intel graphics are predictably weak, scoring in the 37th percentile. That's why its gaming score is a dismal 15.3/100. The real star is the connectivity. With Thunderbolt 4, dual 2.5G Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E, its port selection is in the 98th percentile. Just remember, you're limited to one M.2 slot and one 2.5" bay for storage, which is a major bottleneck.

Value is tricky with barebones kits. The price swings wildly from $406 to $849 depending on the vendor, so shopping around is crucial. At the low end, it's a decent deal for the chassis and motherboard. At the high end, you're probably overpaying. Remember to factor in the cost of RAM, an SSD, and a Windows license, which can easily add another $200-$300. If you can snag it near $406 and have spare parts lying around, it starts to make sense.

Compared to other mini PCs, the Cubi NUC's big advantage is its dual Ethernet ports, making it a potential candidate for a tiny network appliance or server. Against its own MSI siblings, like the newer Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG with an Intel Ultra 7 and Arc graphics, this model looks dated. It's also in a completely different league than the gaming desktops listed as competitors, like the HP Omen or Alienware Aurora. Those are for gaming; this is for fitting a PC in a drawer.

Skip this if you want a ready-to-use computer out of the box. Also, avoid it if you need strong graphics for gaming, video editing, or 3D work. And if you're on a tight budget, remember the hidden costs of the missing components can make this 'cheap' kit surprisingly expensive.

Buy this if you're a tinkerer who needs a super compact, network-connected PC for basic office tasks, a home server, or a digital signage player, and you already have spare RAM and storage. It's a niche product for a specific, DIY-friendly user.