MSI Black Review

This is a mini PC with a maxed-out port selection and 32GB of RAM, but only average CPU power and weak integrated graphics. At $1450, it's a niche product. Only buy it if a tiny, super-connected box is more important to you than raw performance.

The MSI Cubi NUC AI Desktop is a compact machine built around Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H processor and 32GB of RAM. That's a lot of memory for a mini PC, putting it well above average for its class. But its real standout feature is the port selection, which is among the best we've seen, offering Thunderbolt and plenty of legacy USB-A connections. This isn't a gaming rig, and the specs make that clear from the start. It's a small, well-connected box for getting work done.

Performance is a mixed bag, heavily dependent on your workload. The 16-core Core Ultra 7 155H CPU lands right in the middle of the pack for this category, offering solid but not spectacular compute power. It's fine for office tasks, development, and light creative work. The 32GB of DDR4 RAM is a strong point, giving you plenty of headroom for multitasking. The integrated Intel Graphics, however, are a weak spot, lagging behind most dedicated GPUs. This is not a machine for gaming or GPU-intensive tasks. Its strength is in its I/O: with Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 6E, and multiple video outputs, it's incredibly easy to hook up to just about any workspace setup.

At $1450, the value proposition is tough. You're paying a premium for the compact form factor, the generous 32GB of RAM, and that excellent port selection. However, the core CPU performance is just average, and you're getting integrated graphics at a price where many competitors offer a dedicated GPU. If a tiny footprint and maximum connectivity are your absolute top priorities, it has a case. For everyone else, you can get more raw power for the same money, just in a bigger box.

Stacked against competitors, the trade-offs are clear. The HP OMEN 45L or Dell Alienware Aurora at a similar price will include a powerful dedicated GPU, making them vastly better for gaming and creative work, but they're massive towers. The Asus ROG NUC is a closer mini PC competitor, often boasting better gaming performance with dedicated mobile GPUs, but it might sacrifice some of the Cubi's port variety. The Cubi's play is all about being a ultra-connected, RAM-heavy hub in the smallest possible package, sacrificing graphical power to do it.

Gamers should look elsewhere immediately—the integrated graphics are a non-starter. Anyone who needs serious processing power for video editing, 3D rendering, or scientific computing should also skip this; the CPU is only average, and you can get much more powerful chips in a desktop tower for the same money. If you don't specifically need the tiny size or the extensive port selection, a traditional desktop will give you far better performance.

We can only recommend the MSI Cubi NUC AI Desktop for a very specific user. If you need a supremely compact, highly connectable desktop for business, software development, or general office work where 32GB of RAM will be fully utilized, it's a competent choice. The data is clear: for nearly everyone else, especially gamers or those needing GPU muscle, its mediocre graphics and average CPU at this price make it a hard sell. Look to mini PCs with dedicated graphics or standard-sized desktops for better performance per dollar.