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MSI Cubi NUC 1M mini PC review

The MSI Cubi NUC 1M is a small yet fascinating computer, boasting two Ethernet ports with a speed of 2.5GbE. It's compact enough to be held comfortably in one's hand, although the Cubi desktop range has been around for a while, NUC is a more recent casting from MSI's portfolio.

One of the NUC 1M units we've examined, the MSI's Cubi is an accomplished business desktop, furnishing a broad selection of ports within a compact, space-saving device. However, what this miniature desktop might excel at is blending into the background.


MSI Cubi NUC 1M: Price and Availability
The price for the MSI Cubi NUC 1M is around £429 (approximately) on major online retailers such as Amazon, Currys PC World and AO.com.
**Prerequisites and specifications prior to purchasing:**
* Confirm whether the UK has adopted EU-centric guidelines if purchasing from an EU-based website, and consider these potential implications.
* Find out what units are included in the package.
* Check and familiarise yourself with Thremal throttling in relation to performance
Note: Availability and thus pricing subject to change, please confirm with store prior to making a purchase.

The starting price for the MSI Cubi NUC 1M is £477 and can rise to £759 for the Core 7 model with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Depending on what you intend to use this device for, you might want to consider opting for the higher specification model, but that's a personal preference.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M: Unwrapping and Initial Thoughts

I've noticed that MSI's packaging tends to keep things simple, with a focus on eco-friendliness by utilising recyclable materials. What struck me was the excellent packaging - nothing was loose or damaged, and each component was perfectly in its place, ensuring the computer arrived undamaged, which is exactly what you want.

The unpacking had piqued my interest with the contents: a computer, power adapter, documentation, and an optional VESA mount. Perhaps this was unusual because I don't normally see VESA mounts included with computers, or maybe my mind had already been heading in that direction when I knew the Cubi NUC 1M was on its way. Considering how compact this computer is, coupled with its extensive range of ports, I found myself thinking it wouldn't replace my powerful laptops. Instead, I envisioned it being used as a server or display controller, or as the central hub in various professional settings, such as a business office or medical facility.

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I think it's a robust device despite its compact size, and I'd consider it suitable for acting as a media server, displaying content in a business reception area, logging information in a consultation room, or having it serve as a front desk for capturing client details. This is precisely why an optional VESA mount makes perfect sense. This PC can seamlessly blend into its surroundings - it can be mounted behind a screen, attached to a monitor arm, or placed discreetly under a desk or TV, keeping it out of the way while still functioning efficiently.

MSI Cubi NUC 1M: The MSI Cubi NUC 1M operates perfectly in day-to-day tasks, such as "exacting several media creation applications at once in one, with slightly warmer temperatures mainly in the processors zone.

To be straightforward, I wouldn’t anticipate this computer handling demanding tasks like gaming or editing 4K video files in DaVinci Resolve with any great efficiency. My purpose in obtaining this computer isn't to make it a photo editing specialist or a high-performance coding machine for running intricate scripts.

I intend to utilise this device as my primary Plex server, as I can tuck it away and capitalise on its 16GB and 1TB of storage, ensuring optimised performance via the ethernet connection. I'd like to position this device near the reception area of my office due to its multiple HDMI outputs and comprehensive ports, making it a straightforward and convenient solution to implement. It will also be easy to conceal and mount, keeping it out of sight. Furthermore, I aim to phase out the outdated 23" Dell tower on wheels, which is currently manned by those doctors who are still using it, by handing each of them one of these devices. Additionally, I envision using this device as a display tool, broadcasting different content on two TVs in the lobby area of my clients' premises.

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One of its most notable features - arguably the best - is its range of ports on offer. At the rear, you'll find two HDMI ports, two Thunderbolt connections, two 2.5G Ethernet sockets, two USB-A ports, and a power socket. On the front panel, there are a headphone socket, another two USB-A ports, a microSD card reader, and a power button.

It performs basic administrative duties efficiently and also deals with light multimedia tasks. It's a useful machine for staying up-to-date with emails, recording recent discoveries in a spreadsheet, running accounting software, or as an intermediary for a file server.

The multi-output lends itself flexibly to use as a multi-display setup either at a desk or alternatively as a digital display. The duplicated network port demonstrates dependability, even in the event of a network failure, provided the secondary network source is from a different internet service provider.

I subjected this machine to a thorough test. I cabled two networks and intentionally severed the power supply to one contact. From my perspective, there was no perceptible interruption in my workflow, leading me to think that this computer would make an excellent high-priority workspace for almost any purpose. It could safely store critical patient information, serve as servers (albeit not incredibly powerful, it could store essential data), or operate as a display server, utilising the dual network and dual HDMI connections.

I conducted an experiment to assess how this computer would cope with my everyday tasks, which involve handling multiple business systems, dozens of admin tabs on Chrome, researching product reviews, and juggling numerous project management tools across two monitors. During my hands-on trial, I was impressed to find that this computer functioned flawlessly. My only concern was adjusting to a desktop setup, which meant trading portability for performance. Nevertheless, in terms of processing heavy business-related tasks, this computer performed admirably, suggesting that it can indeed handle a demanding workload without lag – although, I wouldn't recommend it for intensive tasks like video editing or running scripts.


The Cubi NUC 1M is a true worthy contender in the compact, low-power desktop market. The processor, storage options and Corelli MX110 GPU make it a well-rounded unit. The hexa-core processor provides plenty of oomph to tackle upscaling duties for gaming purposes, and when the need arises, it also acts as a cogent entertainment and hardware prop for demanding roles like building and editing videos.
Strengths:
• Excellent gaming performance with gpu passthrough and upscale capacity
• Deploys a crystal-clear display and powerful screen
We also confronted problems
Under-sparse essence sampling because wi-fi standard
A occasionally sticky sense of a blank stop eerie instances
Instantly costly feeling begins whenever some groundbreaking marvel arrises isn't cost-ok

The MSI Cubi NUC 1M makes a strong case with a balance of eco-friendliness, petite dimensions, and extensive connectivity capabilities. Although it shines in these areas, its performance and value pricing may fall behind similar products in its range. Nevertheless, if small-sized devices at an affordable price are what you need, this setup could be worth considering.

For additional office computing, we've assessed the performance of best business computers .

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