Back in June, Intel revealed what it called the NUC — or Next Unit of Computing. A bold moniker to be sure, when the device doesn’t look all that dissimilar to the numerous other diminutive PC options already available on the market. Intel had originally pitched the NUC as a device for use in kiosks and digital signage, but it appears as though the company has revised its plans somewhat in the past couple months.
Now, there will be two NUC models. One will be aimed at consumers, and it’ll feature HDMI and Thunderbolt ports. A second will feature dual HDMI outputs and Ethernet connectivity, and should be well-suited to dual-monitor office ninjas and fancy 1080p storefront advertising displays.
Both of the NUC models will run a third-generation Core i3 processor (possibly chosen because of the thermal issues with the Core i5 noted in June). They’ll also be kitted out with a total of five USB 2.0 ports (two of which are internal), and two DDR3 SoDIMM sockets ensure that you’ll have room for plenty of RAM.
Intel says it hopes that the NUC will be a hit with both the business crowd and with DIYers, but at $400 it might be a tough sell. You can, after all, pick up about a dozen Raspberry Pi $59.95 at Amazon Marketplace units for that much money and build yourself one heck of a sweet little Linux cluster or supercomputer if you have Lego lying around.
The $400 price tag puts the NUC a lot closer in price to the Mac Mini $1,180.99 at Amazon Marketplace (or at least existing nettops from companies like Asus and Zotac) than to true DIY kits like the Pi or ODROID-X.
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