MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG mini PC with Intel Lunar Lake is now up for pre-order starting at $899
Two months after its official debut, MSI’s compact Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG has opened pre-orders at major retail, bringing Intel’s latest Lunar Lake silicon to an ultra-small 0.826-liter chassis. Initial configurations center on the Core Ultra 7 258V and Core Ultra 9 288V, with a Core Ultra 5 226V model planned for later.
What stands out is the balance of performance and efficiency from the Core Ultra 9 288V’s 8-core, 8-thread setup and the improved integrated Arc graphics. Early benchmarks and hands-on reports suggest the Arc 130V and 140V iGPUs can trade blows with AMD’s Radeon 890M, making this mini PC more than capable for everyday work, media, light content creation, and some casual gaming. There’s no option for a discrete GPU, and there’s no OCuLink support, which lines up with its office-centric positioning.
Memory is on-package LPDDR5X-8533 and not user-replaceable, so pick the right configuration from the start. The Core Ultra 5 variant is set to include 16 GB, while Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 models step up to 32 GB. Storage remains flexible via an M.2 slot, and the available units are sold as barebones, meaning you’ll add your own SSD and operating system.
Key specs and ports
– Processor options: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V or Core Ultra 9 288V at launch; Core Ultra 5 226V to follow
– Graphics: Intel Arc 130V/140V integrated GPUs
– Memory: LPDDR5X-8533 on-package (not upgradeable); 16 GB on Ultra 5, 32 GB on Ultra 7/9
– Storage: M.2 slot for user-installed SSD
– Volume: 0.826 liter
– I/O: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 2x 2.5G Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, microSD card slot, 3.5 mm audio jack
– Notable omissions: no discrete GPU support, no OCuLink
Pricing and availability
– Core Ultra 7 258V barebones: $899
– Core Ultra 9 288V barebones: $999
– Retailer availability includes B&H Photo Video
Who should consider it
– Ideal for home and office users who want a silent, compact PC with modern I/O, fast wireless storage options through Thunderbolt 4, and dual 2.5G Ethernet for reliable networking.
– Content creators and power users who rely on integrated graphics acceleration will appreciate the uplift from Intel Arc 130V/140V, though those needing a discrete GPU or external GPU via OCuLink should look elsewhere.
Looking for OCuLink instead?
– Consider the Aoostar GEM12 Max with AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, which includes OCuLink support and is often listed around $449 at major retailers. Pricing and availability can vary.
Bottom line
The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG brings Lunar Lake performance and surprisingly capable Arc graphics to a tiny footprint with serious connectivity. If you don’t need a discrete GPU and can live without OCuLink, the $899 Core Ultra 7 and $999 Core Ultra 9 barebones pre-orders make this a compelling small form factor PC for modern workloads.
