Asus quietly launches powerful NUC-branded mini PCs that got me thinking — why would anyone buy a boring, bulky desktop PC these days?

ASUS NUC 14 Pro
(Image credit: ASUS)

Mini PCs are no longer underpowered or limited - if you shop around, you can get your hands on some very capable, very affordable devices that can drive multiple displays simultaneously.

Case in point - at CES 2024, Asus launched two new NUC-branded mini PCs: the Asus NUC 14 Pro and NUC 14 Pro+. 

It’s no surprise that Asus has followed the path that Intel set when it originally created the NUC (Next Unit of Computing) brand.

A wealth of connectivity options

The first of these new computers, the Asus NUC 14 Pro, is a compact, 4 x 4-inch mini PC (available in slim and tall variations), powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake) processor, backed by up to Intel Arc graphics. You can choose between 8GB and 16GB of DDR5 RAM and it features Intel WiFi 6E AX211 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3. It comes with Windows 11 Home or Pro installed, but there’s a Pro Kit model without an OS if you prefer to choose your own.

The rear of the device offers a selection of ports - two Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Type-C Ports (up to 8K@30Hz when combined), one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one 2.0 Type-A, two HDMI 2.1 (TMDS up to 4K@60Hz with CEC support), plus one RJ45 LAN Port.

On the front there’s one USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (20Gbps) and two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A.

In total the new mini PC can power up to four external displays.

Asus NUC 14 Pro+ takes things up a notch. Its precision crafted anodized aluminum 5 x 4inch chassis houses up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor capable of running generative AI workloads, backed by Intel Arc graphics.

The rest of the specs are mostly the same as its smaller sibling and you can choose between Windows 11 Home or Pro, or no OS if you opt for the Kit version.

ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus

(Image credit: ASUS)

Both models have a toolless design, to make them easy to open so you can access the M.s PCIe SSD nodule for easy upgrades.

There’s no word on pricing or availability for either model yet.

These Asus mini PCs offer all the performance of a desktop, but in a sleek, space-saving design. So, getting back to the question I posed in the headline, why would anyone choose a bulky desktop these days?

More from TechRadar Pro

TOPICS
Wayne Williams
Editor

Wayne Williams is a freelancer writing news for TechRadar Pro. He has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for 30 years. In that time he wrote for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a number of them too.

Read more
Asus NUC 15 Pro lineup
Asus teases new NUC mini PC ranges at CES 2025 – including a quirky updated Copilot-ready device
Asus NUC 15 Pro mini PC
This Asus Mini PC can do something spooky - automatically detect and wake itself up when someone's approaching
Asus NUC 14 Pro AI
This is the first mini PC compatible with Microsoft's Copilot+ requirements - and it does look like the Apple Mac Mini M4
Asus business monitor
Asus just launched two business monitors with a unique feature I think all display manufacturers should copy
Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review
Best mini PC of 2025: we benchmarked our top picks for every budget
Cubi NUC AI+ Series
MSI launches two Cubi NUC AI mini PCs but I am still waiting for one with a Thunderbolt 5 port
Latest in Pro
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today
Racks of servers inside a data center.
Modernizing data centers: an efficient path forward
Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line
Why AI commonization is so important for business intelligent transformation and what Huawei’s data storage has to offer
Wix automation
The world's leading website builder aims to save businesses time with new tool
Data Breach
Thousands of healthcare records exposed online, including private patient information
China
Juniper patches security flaws which could have let hackers take over your router
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Ray-Ban smart glasses with the Cpperni logo, an LED array, and a MacBook Air with M4 next to ecah other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Twitter's massive outage to iRobot's impressive new Roombas
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today