Intel may no longer be making NUC-branded mini PCs, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find NUC systems featuring the latest Intel processors.
The same day that Intel officially launched its Core Ultra (Series 2) line of processors (code-named “Lunar Lake”), Asus has introduced the first mini PC powered by one of those chips. Meet the Asus NUC 14 Pro AI.
The little computer is the latest in a line of NUC products that Asus has announced since taking over the development, sales, marketing, and support of the NUC brand.
It supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor with Intel Arc 140V graphics and 47 TOPS of AI performance. And while most new Windows laptops feature Copilot keys on the keyboards, this mini desktop has a Copilot button on the front of the case. So there’s that.
The NUC 14 Pro AI also expected to feature built-in microphones and speakers, enabling support for voice controls and video conferencing features. Asus says it also has security features including TPM and Secure Boot (which is unsurprising, as most Windows PCs have these features) and support for fingerprint recognition (which is less common in mini PCs).
The mini PC measures 130 x 130 x 34mm (5.1″ x 5.1″ x 1.3″) and has an internal volume of 0.6 liters.
Ports include:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet
- 1 x 3.4mm audio jack
- 1 x DC power input
The system also supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, and Asus says the NUC 14 Pro AI also supports tool-less upgrades, which suggests it should be easy to open the case to upgrade the M.2 2880 PCIe NVMe storage… although memory most likely isn’t user upgradeable, since Intel’s Lunar Lake processors feature memory that’s packaged on the same silicon as the CPU, GPU, and NPU, among other things.
Pricing and availability details should be revealed closer to launch.