After Intel announced the discontinuation of its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) series of mini-PCs, Asus has stepped in to fill the void. The Taiwanese PC manufacturer will now take over production, sales, and support for the current NUC devices equipped with Core i processors ranging from the 10th to 13th generation.
Not only will Asus handle the existing NUC lineup, but the company has also been granted permission to develop its own mini PCs and barebones under the NUC name. This move will establish a dedicated division within Asus called “Asus NUC BU.”
Intel has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Asus, allowing them to use the NUC name and potentially paving the way for other manufacturers to do the same. Asrock, ECS, Gigabyte, MSI, and Zotac are among the other companies producing mini PCs and barebones in the ultra-compact form factor (UCFF) with a 4-inch edge length (10.2 cm).
The impact of this NUC takeover by Asus on the compact PN series computers previously sold by Asus remains uncertain. However, Intel’s decision to discontinue the NUCs after approximately 10 years is likely driven by economic reasons. The company has been streamlining its operations, as seen in the sale of its server device division to MiTAC and divestment from SSD, Optane, and networking divisions. Even a mining group that was set up by Intel has been shuttered.
The future of mini-PCs and barebones in the market seems promising with Asus taking over the NUC lineup. It will be interesting to see how Asus develops and expands on the NUC name, and if other manufacturers follow suit in collaborating with Intel for similar licensing agreements.
