Intel Processor N150, Processor N250, and Core i3-N355 new Alder Lake-N processors have recently shown up in the upcoming ASUS NUC 14 Essential mini PCs and offer a small performance boost compared to existing variants such as the N100, N200, and Core i3-N305.
The upcoming NUC 14 Essential family also includes one model with the existing Processor N97 CPU, supports up to three 4K displays via HDMI, DP, and USB-C connectors, offers 2.5 GbE networking, six USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a single USB 2.0 port.
ASUS NUC 14 Essential (NUC14MNK) specifications:
- Alder Lake-N SoC
- Intel Processor N97 quad-core processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD graphics; TDP: 6W
- Intel Processor N150 quad-core processor @ up to 3.6 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, Intel graphics; TDP: 6W
- Intel Processor N250 quad-core processor @ up to 3.8 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, Intel graphics; TDP: 6W
- Intel Core i3-N355 octa-core processor @ up to 3.9 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, Intel Graphics; TDP: 15W
- Memory – Up to 16GB single-channel SO-DIMM DDR5-4800
- Storage – M.2 2280/2242 PCIe Gen3x4 socket supporting 128GB to 2TB NVMe or SATA SSD
- Video Output
- HDMI 2.1 (TDMS) port
- DisplayPort 1.4
- USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt mode
- Up to three independent display support
- Audio – 3.5mm audio (headphone+mic) jack; Realtek ALC3251 audio codec
- Networking
- 2.5GbE RJ45 port via Realtek RTL8125BG-CG controller
- Intel WiFi 6E AX211 (Gig+) and Bluetooth 5.3
- USB
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports including one with DisplayPort 1.4 alt. mode
- 1x USB 2.0 port
- Misc
- Kensington lock
- Power button
- Power Supply – 19V/3.42A (65W) DC input
- Dimensions – 135 x 115 x 36mm
- Weight – 470 grams
The ASUS NUC 14 Essential first appeared on a now-deleted product page (https://www.asus.com/displays-desktops/nucs/nuc-mini-pcs/asus-nuc-14-essential/) on the ASUS website, but some information still shows on ASUS South Africa’s website.
The Intel N150/N250/N355 processors are not yet listed on Intel Ark at the time of writing, so all information we have is from the ASUS website and a leak by Momomo who reports the turbo frequencies for the new processors. There’s also the Intel Core i3-N350 clocked at up to 3.9 Ghz (Turbo frequency), but not used in the ASUS NUC. I suspect the new processors are just “Alder Lake-N Refresh” variants of the earlier models with the exact same features, but higher CPU and GPU frequencies as follows: N100 -> N150, N200 -> N250, Core i3-N300 -> Core i3-N350, Core i3-N305 -> Core i3-N355. We’ll get the full details once Ark Intel is updated and/or the NUC 14 Essential mini PCs are officially launched.
We don’t have pricing and availability information at this stage, but we suspect the NUC 14 Essential will be sold as full mini PC kits, barebone systems, and potentially NUC SBCs.
Via FanlessTech and Liliputing
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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