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Intel Hands Over the NUC Reins to ASUS
September 06, 2023

Asus NUC Portfolio

Intel has formally vacated its role in the development of its NUC (Next Unit of Compute) mini-PC series, redirecting its focus to its foundational semiconductor ventures. While Intel didn't pioneer the mini-PC—companies like Zotac had ventured into this space earlier—it did make significant contributions to popularising it. The task of continuing the NUC legacy has now been entrusted to ASUS, the electronics heavyweight from Taiwan.

Beginning on the 1st of September, ASUS will integrate the NUC series into its existing product range, embarking on what the company envisions as a "new, exhilarating journey." Importantly, ASUS has secured the rights to manufacture and provide support for Intel's 10th to 13th generation NUCs, as well as to develop new models under the NUC brand.

However, there's an intriguing twist: these rights are non-exclusive. This allows other tech vendors the opportunity to use the NUC name and IP, thus injecting an element of competition into the already vibrant mini-PC market.

It's worth noting that while the term 'NUC' may be associated with Intel, the concept of a mini-PC is not exclusive to any single company. Indeed, even as ASUS takes over the NUC branding, other vendors can (and do) produce similar small form-factor PCs without using the NUC name.

Intel's exit from the NUC segment is part of a broader strategic move to trim its portfolio, focusing on its primary revenue-generating operations. Shortly after announcing their exit, ASUS and Intel disclosed a term sheet outlining ASUS's role in producing and supporting Intel's 10th to 13th generation NUCs and crafting new NUC designs for the future.

While the specific details surrounding the transition are still forthcoming, the inclusion of ASUS in the NUC narrative certainly adds a new layer of intrigue to the ever-evolving mini-PC market. As this chapter in the NUC story unfolds, the tech industry watches with great interest, wondering which other players might enter this increasingly dynamic field.

Asus's NUC Overview page