When it was announced that Intel would be handing over its NUC (Next Unit of Computing) business to Asus, many enthusiasts, including myself, were excited about the possibilities that could arise from this collaboration. Asus, known for its innovative designs and commitment to quality, has set its sights not only on the consumer market but also on the commercial and enterprise sectors. In an interview with Asus senior vice president Jacky Hsu, he revealed the company’s plans to develop custom NUC devices tailored to meet the unique needs of various commercial customers.
Traditionally, NUCs have been associated with cuboid-style machines or larger book-sized form factors. However, Asus intends to challenge this status quo by introducing a range of form factors designed specifically for different use cases. By incorporating different I/O considerations and motherboards, Asus aims to create NUCs that seamlessly integrate into diverse environments such as digital signage, point-of-sale systems, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and warehouse/factory applications.
Custom I/O for Specific Requirements
One of the most intriguing aspects of Asus’ approach is its focus on custom I/O options. With this approach, Asus can design NUCs with various Ethernet standards, SFP connections, D-SUB, Serial, DIN, or any other type of connection required by specific industries. This flexibility ensures that businesses can find NUCs tailored to their exact needs, enabling them to optimize their workflow and enhance productivity. Whether it’s 10,000 NUCs with FireWire connections or unique combinations of I/O options, Asus is determined to meet the demands of its commercial clients.
While Asus has not provided concrete details about its plans for gaming NUCs, there are indications that they are considering ROG (Republic of Gamers) branded NUCs. This is particularly intriguing in light of Intel’s recent announcement that its Meteor Lake family won’t be available in the DIY market but is likely to be integrated into embedded, all-in-one, or NUC solutions. The idea of a Meteor Lake ROG branded NUC is tantalizing, as it could potentially offer high-performance gaming capabilities in a compact form factor.
Asus could leverage this opportunity by taking one of the higher-tier Meteor Lake laptop chips, adjusting its TDP (Thermal Design Power) to suit the NUC form factor, and pairing it with a powerful graphics card. The result would be a gaming NUC that offers performance comparable to a desktop Raptor Lake chip, but without the bulky cooling requirements and noise associated with high-wattage CPUs. By adding customizable RGB lighting, Asus could create a highly marketable gaming NUC that surpasses console gaming performance, all within an even smaller footprint.
Leading the Market with Innovative Designs
While there are already high-performance mini-PCs available, such as MSI’s Trident PCs, the combination of a laptop chip with a desktop-class GPU in a compact form factor is relatively rare. Asus has a history of pushing boundaries and delivering innovative designs, making it an ideal candidate to lead the market in this space. If Asus can secure significant partnerships with major clients and generate substantial revenue, it is likely that we will see ROG branded NUCs in the near future.
With Asus taking over Intel’s NUC business, the future of mini PCs looks promising. Asus’ plans to offer custom NUCs for commercial clients, alongside the possibility of ROG gaming NUCs, demonstrate their commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of various industries. As enthusiasts and businesses eagerly anticipate the release of these new NUCs, Asus has the opportunity to solidify its position as a leading provider of high-performance and innovative mini PCs.
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