Next Unit of Computing

Coffee Lake-U-based Bean Canyon Intel NUC (NUC8i5BEK2)
Motherboard of a 6th generation NUC (Model NUC6i3SYH), extended with two 8 GB RAM modules

Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a line of small-form-factor barebone computer kits designed by Intel. Previewed in 2012 and launched in early 2013,[1] the NUC line continues to develop over generations of Intel-based CPU launches, spanning from Sandy Bridge-based Celeron CPUs in the first generation, to Raptor Lake-based mobile and desktop CPUs in the thirteenth, and more recently Meteor Lake-based processors with AI capabilities.[2]

The standard barebone kits consist of the NUC board, in a plastic case with a fan, an external power supply, and a VESA mounting plate.[3] The plastic case is typically offered on one of two chassis, Tall (allowing for a 2.5" drive bay) or Slim (no 2.5" drive bay).[4] The NUC motherboard measures approximately 10 × 10 centimetres (4 × 4 in),[5] although some models have had different dimensions. Intel also sells bare NUC motherboards, which have a built-in CPU. However, (as of 2013) the price of a NUC motherboard is very close to the corresponding cased kit; third-party cases for the NUC boards are also available.[6][7]

In July 2023, Intel announced that it would no longer develop NUC mainboards and matching mini PCs.[8] They subsequently announced that NUC products will continue to be manufactured, sold and supported by ASUS under a non-exclusive license.[9] ASUS unveiled the latest generation of NUC products at CES 2024, consisting of the NUC 14 Pro, NUC 14 Pro+, and first ever ROG NUC. In early September at IFA Berlin 2024, the NUC 14 Pro AI was showcased.[10]

  1. ^ "Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE Product Specifications". ark.intel.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "Announcing the AI-Enabled ASUS NUC 14 Performance". press.asus.com. July 15, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Intel NUC product specifications "Intel NUC", accessed June 10, 2013.
  4. ^ "Product Code Naming Convention for Intel® NUC (Up to Gen 10)". Intel. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Halfacree, G (March 2013). "Intel's Next Unit of Computing". Custom PC (116). Dennis Publishing: 14–15.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference geek was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference akasa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Mantel, Marc (July 11, 2023). "NUC: Intel gibt seine Mini-PCs auf". heise.de (in German). Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Hannaford, Thomas (July 18, 2023). "Intel and ASUS Agree to Term Sheet to Take Intel NUC Systems Product Line Forward". intc.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "ASUS Unveils Intel-Driven Copilot+ PCs at Always Incredible Media Day for IFA 2024 | News｜ASUS USA". www.asus.com. Retrieved September 6, 2024.