Review of the MSI Cubi NUC 13MQ: A Solid Mini PC That’s Hard to Find

In my time with the MSI Cubi NUC 13MQ, I used this mini PC as my primary work computer over the past week. Alongside my daily tasks, I put this compact system through rigorous benchmark tests to stack it against similarly specced devices. Now, while it doesn’t exactly steal the spotlight in the mini PC category, the MSI Cubi NUC 13MQ presents itself as a steady performer. Let’s dive into where it shines and where it might need a little polish.

### Why You Can Rely on My Review

Hi, I’m Rebecca Spear, and if you’re in the market for a minimalistic powerhouse, I’m your guide. My experience spans countless hours of evaluating mini PCs from all walks of the tech industry. I’m familiar with what makes a device stand out in terms of purchase value and overall usability.

### A Word About My Review Sample

A big shout-out to MSI for providing the review unit, which I’ve tested independently. The insights I’m going to share come directly from my hands-on time, with no influence from MSI.

### MSI Cubi NUC 13MQ: Pricing and Specifications

The Cubi NUC 13MQ leans towards the pricier side, mainly due to its various configuration options. Despite a bit of digging, many configurations were elusive or priced well beyond what MSI initially quoted me. The unit I reviewed was equipped with an Intel Core i7-1365U vPro CPU, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. MSI suggests a price point around $667, but finding this configuration online for that amount was quite the treasure hunt.

The hunt turned up a comparable setup with double the RAM, but the price was a steep $1,229 at retailers like B&H. Such a tag makes it tough for this Cubi NUC to compete well within its market space.

### What’s Inside the Box?

When you open up the package, you’ll find the essentials: the mini PC itself, a power adapter, power cable, VESA mount, and an external power button. One noticeable absence is an HDMI cable, so you’ll need to supply one to hook it up to a monitor or TV.

### Design and Build Quality

This device keeps it simple with a no-frills black exterior, making it a suitable fit in both casual home setups and professional environments. The MSI Cubi NUC 13MQ is about the size of a bagel and sits comfortably under a monitor, or you can mount it using the included VESA bracket.

The handy external power button can be affixed wherever convenient, allowing you to easily power up the mini PC without rummaging around behind your setup. Ports? It’s generous, featuring two Thunderbolt 4, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2s, a pair of HDMI ports, a microSD reader, and more—enough to connect up to four monitors.

### Upgradability

Want to give your mini PC a boost? You can unscrew four screws tucked into the rubber feet on the unit’s underside to access the interior. MSI has allowed room for upgrades with two SO-DIMM slots, two M.2 SSD slots, and space for an additional 2.5″ HDD/SSD.

### Performance and Thermals

In terms of performance, the Cubi NUC 13MQ doesn’t exactly break land-speed records. In benchmarks, specifically Cinebench’s CPU test, it fell short of expectations but matched anticipated results on Geekbench for its Intel Core i7-1365U.

Though it handled everyday tasks without crashing, some operations felt sluggish, like launching or running resource-heavy apps. During testing, a constant high-pitched whine proved a tad distracting, and the device felt warm but not excessively hot.

### Looking at Alternatives

If the Cubi NUC 13MQ doesn’t quite match your needs, you might consider alternatives like the Beelink EQR6, which boasts a lower price and promising performance specs that might fit a tighter budget.

### Final Thoughts

For a setup that occupies minimal desk space while offering a reasonable array of features, the Cubi NUC 13MQ holds up if it can be found at the right price. Those in need of a mini PC that sits discreetly but comes with a convenient power button might find it appealing. However, if you’re after something that handles gaming or graphic-heavy applications smoothly, or if cost is a concern, exploring further options is likely wise.