These compact mini PCs pack loads of energy and canopy numerous use-cases
Up to date: Jan 6, 2025 5:45 pm
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If AI-based work is your focus then the ASUS NUC vary offers nice transportable options, with loads of completely different choices to select from. The newest NUC 14 era particularly come packing with Intel Core Extremely CPUs and canopy a variety of various value factors. Essentially the most highly effective of those in AI-processing phrases are the brand new NUC 14 Professional AI (with the newest Lunar Core CPUs) and the NUC 14 Efficiency / ROG NUC (with devoted RTX 4060/4070 graphics playing cards). Learn on for extra info.
The historical past of the NUC mini PC
The NUC (Subsequent Unit of Computing) mini PC collection started with Intel and their imaginative and prescient of a compact, high-performance laptop; one that might supply a full desktop expertise in an extremely small type issue. Initially launched in 2012, Intel continued to develop the lineup through the years, releasing fashions optimized for dwelling theater setups, enterprise use, and DIY fanatics.
In 2023, nevertheless, the NUC collection was handed over to ASUS, who’ve launched a number of NUC merchandise beneath their primary model, plus their Republic Of Avid gamers (ROG) sub-brand. The brand new NUC 14 line seeks to focus on avid gamers, AI fanatics, and content material creators on the lookout for a compact resolution.
What makes the NUC 14 line nice for AI workflows?
The Intel NUC 14 lineup, significantly the NUC 14 Professional AI, Efficiency, and ROG NUC fashions, is very suited to AI workflows resulting from its highly effective {hardware}, compact design, and superior AI integration. These mini-PCs characteristic Intel Core Extremely processors, with built-in NPUs (Neural Processing Models) that speed up AI duties like machine studying, pure language processing, and generative AI functions
These programs additionally supply intensive connectivity for such small gadgets, together with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, and a number of show outputs, enhancing multitasking and high-resolution visualization. Moreover, improvements like built-in voice-command capabilities enhance productiveness at the side of AI interfaces
For professionals and companies, the NUC 14 Professional fashions additionally incorporate Intel vPro for enhanced safety and manageability, making them well-suited for safe, enterprise-level AI deployments.
ASUS NUC 14 Professional vs 14 Professional+ vs 14 Efficiency vs 14 Professional AI
Under you may see a desk evaluating the 4 primary entries within the NUC 14 vary, particularly we’re taking a look at: the 14 Professional, 14 Professional+, and the Efficiency mannequin.
The primary two of those mini-PCs are very related in design, with the identical mainboard with 1x 2280 M.2 NVMe slot and 1x 2242 M.2 NVMe slot for storage, plus the identical vary of connection ports. The Professional+ nevertheless does have a number of enhancements. It’s (virtually) tooless in terms of upgrades, requiring a screwdriver to unlock the bottom however that’s it. Contained in the cooling fan will be pivoted apart on a lever, permitting ease of entry to the upgradable RAM and storage. The chassis of the Professional+ can be comprised of metallic, making it a bit extra sturdy plus thermal pleasant. The largest distinction between the 2 nevertheless, is that the 14 Professional makes use of an Intel Core Extremely 7 165H processor, the place the 14 Professional+ has the extra highly effective Core Extremely 9 185H chip.
The NUC 14 Efficiency is kind of a unique beast. This NUC has a bigger dimension and weight, plus an included stand which provides you the choice of standing it up vertically do you have to want. You get the identical two upgradable SO-DIMM RAM slots that you just do within the Professional+, however these are solely upgradable to 64GB of 5600 MT/s DDR5, reasonably than 96GB on the Professional+. Storage assist has three upgradable M.2 2280 slots (very good) two of which include 512GB/1TB choices on the level of buy, however which will be expanded properly past this. The 14 Efficiency has much less USB ports however does include an SD card reader. The obvious distinction nevertheless is the choice for a discrete RTX 4070 GPU (laptop computer grade), which lets you full way more graphics intensive workflows, get pleasure from a little bit of gaming on the aspect, and likewise contributes significantly to the AI-processing energy of the system.
| Specification | NUC 14 Professional | NUC 14 Professional+ | NUC 14 Efficiency | NUC 14 Professional AI |
| CPU | Intel Core Extremely 5 125H (cTDP 40W) | Intel Core Extremely 9 185H (16 cores, 22 threads) | Intel Core Extremely 9 185H (cTDP 65W) / Intel Core Extremely 7 155H (cTDP 40W) | Intel Core Extremely 9 185H AI Optimized (cTDP 50W) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc GPU (Core Extremely) | Intel Arc Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop computer GPU / Intel Arc GPU | Intel Arc GPU Enhanced for AI Processing |
| RAM | 2 x SO-DIMM, As much as DDR5-5600, 48GB (2 x 24GB) | 32GB DDR5-5600 (16GB x 2), Expandable to 96GB | 2 x SO-DIMM, As much as DDR5-5600, 32GB (2 x 16GB), Max 64GB | 2 x SO-DIMM, DDR5-6000, Expandable to 128GB |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 (128GB–4TB), 1 x M.2 2242 PCIe Gen4x4 | 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4, Expandable through M.2 2242 PCIe Gen4 | 2 x M.2 2280 slots (512GB/1TB) | 2TB PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD, Expandable through M.2 2242 |
| Growth | 1 x M.2 2242 PCIe Gen4x4, 1 x SATA for two.5in SSD/HDD (Tall SKU) | 1 x M.2 2242 PCIe Gen 4 | 1 x M.2 2280 slot | 1 x M.2 2242 PCIe Gen4x4, 1 x SATA |
| Ports (Entrance) | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Sort-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Sort-A, 1 x Kensington Lock | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Sort-C, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Sort-A, 1 x USB 2.0 | 1 x card reader (SD), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Sort-A, 1 x 3.5mm Jack | 1 x USB 4.0 Sort-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Sort-A |
| Ports (Again) | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A | 2 x Thunderbolt 4.0 Sort-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Sort-C, 2 x USB 2.0 | 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C w/ DisplayPort 2.1, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Sort-C |
| Video Ports | 2 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) | 2 x HDMI 2.1 | 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2 x DP 1.4a | 1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1 x DP 2.0 |
| Networking | Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V/LM, 2.5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | 1 x 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | Intel Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1690 i, Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V | Wi-Fi 7 Prepared, 10GbE LAN, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| OS | Home windows 11 Professional (pre-installed) | Home windows 11 Professional (pre-installed) | Home windows 11 Professional (pre-installed) | Customized AI-Optimized Linux Kernel |
| Base Energy | 40W (cTDP) | 35W-65W | 65W (cTDP) | 50W (Optimized for AI workloads) |
| PSU | 120W Energy Adapter (19VDC, 6.32A) | 150W Energy Adapter (19.5V 7.7A) | 330W Energy Adapter (19.5VDC, 16.9A) | 180W Energy Adapter (20VDC, 9A) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 117 x 112 x 37mm (Slim Chassis) / 117 x 112 x 54mm (Tall Chassis) | 144 x 112 x 41mm | 27 x 18 x 6 cm (10.62″ x 7.09″ x 2.36″) | 130 x 120 x 40mm |
| Weight | 600g (Core Extremely) / 571g (Core3) | Approx. 600g | 2.6kg (5.73 lbs) | 750g |
What in regards to the new NUC 14 Professional AI?
The brand new NUC 14 Professional AI variant was launched in September this 12 months, and packs the newest Intel Core Extremely 200V ‘Lunar Lake’ CPU collection, maxing out on the Core Extremely 9 288V within the high SKU. Mixed with the built-in ARC GPU, it’s able to delivering as much as 67 TOPS of efficiency in AI workloads.
The exterior design of the Professional AI mannequin is analogous in dimension to the common NUC 14 Professional, however has a rounder chassis and incorporates a devoted Copilot button on the skin on the aspect furthest from the ability button.
The ASUS ROG NUC 14
The ASUS ROG NUC 14 aka the ASUS ROG NUC 970 is sort of an identical to the ASUS NUC 14 Efficiency mannequin in form-factor and the {hardware} beneath, with barely completely different discrete GPU spec choices (you will get it with the RTX 4060 in addition to the RTX 4070) however the identical RAM and storage. The one variations in addition to this are the extra ‘gamer wanting’ ROG branding, plus using ASUS ROG optimization software program.
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The place can I purchase an ASUS NUC?
These merchandise are on sale throughout quite a few retailers, however the perfect place to purchase, plus get additional info on all the vary is on the ASUS NUC and ROG NUC web sites. For among the commonplace model ASUS NUC’s, you’ve got the choice of shopping for them as ‘kits’ i.e. barebones variations which you could construct and customise your self.
