Product Overview

The MSI Cubi NUC 1M is a business-ready mini PC that pairs Intel® Core™ 5 120U performance with a rich I/O set in a 0.826-liter chassis. Dual Thunderbolt™ 4, dual HDMI® 2.1 (4K60), dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6E, and a microSD card reader make it a flexible, quiet workstation for office, signage, and creator workflows.

Key Features

• Intel® Core™ 5 120U (10 cores/12 threads) with Intel® Graphics
• Quad-display support: 2× HDMI 2.1 (4K@60) + 2× Thunderbolt 4 (DP 1.4 alt-mode)
• Memory: dual-channel DDR5 SO-DIMM, up to 64GB
• Storage: up to 2× M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 ×4 (SKU-dependent) and 2.5" SATA bay
• Networking: dual 2.5GbE (Intel I226-V), Wi-Fi 6E (AX211) / Bluetooth® 5.3
• Front I/O: 2× USB-A 10Gbps, mic-in/headphone-out, microSD reader
• Rear I/O: 2× USB-A (10Gbps & 5Gbps), 2× HDMI, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 2× 2.5GbE, DC-in, Kensington® lock
• External power-button header; VESA 100×100 mount; enterprise 24/7 reliability

Specifications

• CPU: Core™ 5 120U • up to 5.0GHz boost
• Memory: DDR5-5200 dual channel • max 64GB
• Storage: M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 ×4 (up to two slots depending on configuration) • 2.5" SATA bay (Tall SKUs)
• Displays: up to four 4K60 over 2× HDMI + 2× TB4 (DP 1.4)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E • Bluetooth 5.3
• Wired: dual 2.5GbE LAN
• Chassis: 0.826L volume • VESA mountable
• Product size/weight: 135.6 × 132.5 × 50.1 mm • ~0.63 kg

Technical Details

One Thunderbolt 4 port supports USB-C Power Delivery-in (up to 100W) for single-cable setups with compatible monitors (MSI Power Link). Persistent HDMI display support helps maintain layouts for signage. Dual SO-DIMMs enable higher iGPU bandwidth; PCIe 4.0 NVMe boosts app load times.

Highlights

• Palm-size 0.826L design with enterprise-class I/O
• Drives four 4K displays for dashboards, trading, or creative timelines
• Tool-friendly RAM/SSD access and VESA mounting for clean desks

Why this is the best choice

If you want a compact desktop that makes no compromises on connectivity or screen real estate, the MSI Cubi NUC 1M (Core 5 120U) is an easy fit. Its modern Core 5 120U processor keeps everyday business tasks moving—spreadsheets, browser-based apps, video calls, dashboards—without the desk clutter of a full tower. The headline is flexibility: 2× Thunderbolt 4 lets you run a single-cable desk with high‑bandwidth docks, fast external storage, or pro peripherals, while quad 4K display support means you can spread work across four crisp monitors for trading, analytics, creative timelines, or control rooms.
For networking, dual 2.5GbE gives you high-speed wired throughput and the option to separate or fail over connections, and Wi‑Fi 6E adds low‑latency wireless in the 6 GHz band where available. A VESA mount tucks the unit neatly behind a monitor or under a desk—perfect for clean workstations, meeting rooms, kiosks, or signage. Compared with many mini PCs that offer a single Thunderbolt port and one Ethernet jack, the Cubi NUC 1M stands out by doubling Thunderbolt, doubling 2.5GbE, and driving four 4K displays—giving you more headroom in the same small footprint. One note: this mini PC isn’t aimed at heavy 3D rendering or high‑end gaming; it’s built to excel at business multitasking with outstanding I/O and display flexibility.

Material Quality

Rigid, well-ventilated enclosure engineered for 24/7 use, with precise port fit and a secure Kensington® lock point for shared spaces.

Design and Functionality

Front USB and audio accelerate daily access; rear TB4/HDMI keep display wiring clean. External power-button header adds convenience when VESA-mounted behind a monitor.

Performance and Effectiveness

The 10-core Core™ 5 120U, dual-channel DDR5, and PCIe 4.0 NVMe deliver smooth office apps, conferencing, data dashboards, and light creative workloads on up to four 4K screens.

Innovation or Exclusive Features

USB-C PD-in (up to 100W) on one TB4 port enables single-cable power and display from select monitors—rare among mini PCs in this class.

Value for Money

Rich built-in I/O and upgrade paths reduce the need for extra docks and extend useful life across roles—from desks to meeting spaces.

Comparison with Competitors

Many rivals offer either USB4 or dual HDMI, not both—fewer still include dual 2.5GbE and PD-in. Cubi NUC 1M covers all three in a sub-1-liter chassis.

Warranty and Support

Backed by MSI’s business support and documentation; accessories include VESA mount and external power-button bracket on applicable SKUs.

Maintenance and Ease of Use

Quick access to SO-DIMMs and M.2 slots; VESA mount keeps the desktop uncluttered. Stable firmware options suit signage and kiosk deployments.

Final Verdict

A premium, ultra-compact workstation for multi-display productivity with standout I/O—ideal for professionals and IT fleets standardizing on quiet, small-form desktops.

• ✅ Pros: Dual Thunderbolt 4, dual 2.5GbE, quad 4K display support, DDR5 up to 64GB, PCIe 4.0 NVMe, VESA mount
• ⚠️ Cons: Integrated graphics limit AAA gaming; some features vary by SKU (Wi-Fi 7 vs 6E, second M.2)
• 🎯 Unique: USB-C PD-in (up to 100W) via TB4 plus external power-button header for clean, single-cable desk setups