Mini PCs are an interesting breed of computer – arguably more portable than laptops but not exactly as versatile as custom PC rigs, they are at times a convenient means for users to be able to set up their own desktop computer workstation. With that in mind, ASUS recently unveiled the NUC 14 Pro AI, a compact PC that runs on Intel’s Core Ultra series processors, and comes preloaded with Windows 11 and Microsoft Copilot+ AI features.
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With that being said however, it should be noted that the NUC 14 Pro AI might not be easily available for purchase. ASUS says that it’s designed and marketed towards enterprise and business users, as well as for entertainment and industrial purposes. Nevertheless, here’s what we can expect with the NUC 14 Pro AI once it launches.
As for what’s powering it, ASUS says that the NUC 14 Pro AI is equipped with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processors (Series 2), which come with a “multi-architecture” design. This essentially means that the processors integrate the CPU, GPU, and NPU allowing for the 14 Pro AI’s overall compact size. On paper, the built-in Intel Arc GPU can deliver up to 67 TOPS and up to 48 NPU TOPS that provides more than double the AI performance of previous NUC models, with better power efficiency as well.
As you can probably tell from its name, the NUC 14 Pro AI is pretty small. According to ASUS, the whole unit weighs less than a litre, and only measures 34mm in height, making it a pretty efficient space-saver on a desk. Impressively however, the computer also comes with “intelligent cooling” built in to reduce overheating especially during heavy tasks and workloads.
As mentioned earlier, the 14 Pro AI comes with Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI features, which gives users access to software including generative image creation, assistant functionality, and more. In fact, it comes with a built-in button that instantly summons AI features for users, and there’s also the option of voice commands for AI. Finally, the computer also comes with a wealth of connectivity options including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4 support.
It’s worth mentioning that the ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI isn’t the only enterprise-focused compact computing solution from a major brand this year. Not too long ago, Microsoft announced its new “Windows 365 Link” that likewise comes with a portable design, all the essential ports and connectivity options and support for a variety of hardware peripherals. Unlike the 14 Pro AI however, the 365 Link is a cloud-based device without local software and file storage.
ASUS didn’t specify a launch date for the NUC 14 Pro AI, although we’ll probably know more details in the coming weeks.
