After 12 years, Intel discontinued the NUC – Intel personal computers

NUC, which stands for Next Unit of Computing, was first released in 2012 and has become known for its compact size and modular design.

The NUC series included a range of desktops, sticks, and tablets that allowed users to customize them according to their needs. Despite their small size, the new urban communities had a decent performance, suitable for everyday tasks and home theatres.

Intel said it will close the NUC project to focus on new designs optimized for emerging sectors such as cloud gaming. However, this move still marked the end of an era for PC enthusiasts. In many ways, the NUC’s flexible form factor has been a hit with gamers.

When launched 10 years ago, the first NUC stood out for its square frame, which measured just 3.8 cm in height. The first model featured an Intel Core i3 processor with two SO-DIMM slots for RAM and a 2.5-inch storage slot for a hard disk drive or SSD. Since then, Intel has regularly updated the NUC lineup with the latest processors and connectivity features while maintaining its recognizable compact form factor. Various models have appeared in the market for use cases ranging from home theater PCs to small game consoles or IoT devices.

By 2020, the performance of NUC PCs has increased significantly, while the familiar processors of the Core i series or the 10th generation Celeron are still used. Some models can accommodate up to 64GB of RAM and have room for multiple volumes.

Although NUCs lacked the ability to play demanding games or work-intensive applications, their portability and adaptability made them ideal for applications such as digital signage, controlling and managing smart home devices, or creating a system capable of running games from units. Ancient control through simulation.

However, NUC systems eventually declined in popularity due to stiff competition from minicomputers provided by many of Intel’s partners as well as alternative offerings such as the Raspberry Pi. Industrialization challenges during the pandemic have also affected the production and availability of new urban communities.

However, the NUC project still leaves behind a legacy that shows what was possible with a compact, modular PC design. Many devices on the market today follow a similar formula combined with a very small size. Intel says it will continue to honor the NUC’s warranties and provide support until at least 2025. However, its discontinuation marked the end of the minicomputer era.