MSI Cubi N ADL‑S – 0.66 L Fanless Barebone Mini PC with Intel N100/N200
The MSI Cubi N ADL‑S is a pocket-sized barebone mini PC (124 × 124 × 54 mm, 0.66 L), featuring Intel’s ultra-efficient Alder Lake‑N CPUs—Celeron N100 or Pentium N200. With its passive cooling design, dual‑LAN, triple‑4K display support, and VESA mount, it's ideal for silent productivity, digital signage, and lightweight server use.
⚙ Full Specifications
- CPU Options: Intel Celeron N100 (4 C/4 T, 0.8–3.4 GHz) or Pentium N200 (4 C/4 T, 1.0–3.7 GHz) – 6 W TDP for both
- Memory: 1×DDR4‑3200 SO‑DIMM slot, up to 16 GB (some reports suggest dual‑slot variants support 32–64 GB)
- Storage: M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0/SATA slot + 2.5″ HDD/SSD bay
- Graphics: Intel UHD graphics with 24–33 EUs, drives triple‑4K output via DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1 & USB‑C DP alt‑mode
- Networking: Dual 1 GbE ports (Realtek), Wi‑Fi 6 (Intel AX‑9462), Bluetooth (combo)
- Cooling: Passive, fanless chassis with internal heatsink in ADL‑S model
- Security: TPM 2.0 support; up to 3 years 24/7 reliability tested
- Front I/O: USB‑A 3.2 Gen2 ×2, USB‑C 3.2 Gen2 (+DP alt‑mode), headphone jack, power button
- Rear I/O: 2×USB‑A 2.0, 2×RJ‑45, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, DC‑in
- Mounting: VESA 100×100 bracket included
Noise-Free Design
The ADL‑S variant uses a large internal heatsink to cool the 6 W CPU silently—no fans, no noise—ideal for noise-sensitive environments like offices, libraries, home theatres, or audio workspaces.
Triple-4K Display Capability
With DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB‑C DP-out, the Cubi N can drive three independent 4K monitors—perfect for multi-screen tasks, digital signage, or surveillance setups.
Use-Case Scenarios
- Office & Productivity: Compact, durable, and quiet—great for web browsing, office apps, video conferencing.
- Home Server / NAS / Edge Compute: Dual‑LAN with link aggregation, fanless reliability, and TPM support make it ideal for lightweight server roles.
- Digital Signage & Kiosks: Supports 24/7 operation, VESA mount, and bright 4K outputs.
- HTPC / Home Theatre: Silent operation, HDMI 2.1, and M.2/2.5″ storage expandability.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Is the Cubi N ADL-S really fanless?
Yes—the ADL‑S uses a passive heatsink for completely silent operation, unlike the base ADL which includes a fan. - Q: How much RAM can it take?
Officially 16 GB via one slot, but community reports suggest dual-slot versions may support 32–64 GB. - Q: Can it run Linux and Plex server?
Yes—users have successfully used it as a low-power Plex server; fanless nature and TPM support enhance reliability. - Q: Any overheating issues?
Not reported—passive cooling handles 6 W TDP CPUs effectively, though placement in tight spaces is advised.
Community Insights
"I like the fact that it's from a major brand and it has 2 NICs... Great little computer. It will either replace my current unraid PC or be used for emulation."
Another notes Fanless Tech confirms the ADL‑S runs silently compared to the regular ADL model with a fan.
Quick Specs Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 124 × 124 × 54 mm (0.66 L) |
| CPU Options | Intel N100 or N200 (4 cores, 6 W TDP) |
| RAM | 1×DDR4‑3200 SO‑DIMM (up to 16 GB; possible dual‑slot variants) |
| Storage | 1×M.2 2280 + 1×2.5″ HDD/SSD |
| Networking | 2×1 GbE, Wi‑Fi 6, BT combo |
| Display | DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, USB‑C DP‑out (3×4K) |
| Cooling | Passive (ADL‑S) / Active (base ADL) |
| Mount | VESA 100×100 |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Final Verdict
The MSI Cubi N ADL‑S is a standout barebone mini PC for silent, space-efficient productivity and lightweight server roles. Its fanless design, dual networking, triple‑4K output, and modular storage make it versatile and reliable. Ideal for small offices, edge computing, digital signage, or discreet home setups. Just mind the memory limits and verify variant specs before purchasing.
Leave a comment