Introducing the Intel NUC 9 Compute Elements, Mini PC Kits, and 3rd-Party Ecosystem

Intel NUC 9 Mini PC

Intel’s NUC mini PC range is familiar to anyone who has looked for a very small compact and functional PC. But they, and similarly sized mini PCs in general, have a notable limitation when compared to desktops and also many high-end laptops in that the graphics performance is somewhat restricted because it is typically provided by the processor’s integrated graphics. Whilst these integrated graphics are suitable for browsing, video playback, and the office style applications that the devices have been marketed towards, they are normally insufficient for gaming as only low framerates are obtainable. Intel initially tried to address this gaming shortfall through the introduction of the Intel Skull Canyon (NUC6i7KYK) NUC which came with a 6th-gen Skylake Core i7-6770HQ that included Iris Pro Graphics 580 and at the time with their 72 EUs (Executions Units) was Intel’s most powerful integrated GPU. Additionally, the Skull Canyon also featured a (USB-C) […]

Intel Austin Beach is a Modular, Fanless NUC Powered by Intel NUC Compute Elements

Intel Austin Beach NUC + Chandler Bay NUC Compute Element

Unveiled last May, Intel NUC Compute Element is a family of cards that should cost less than the failed Computer Cards, and easy to handle than your typical computer-on-module. The first Compute Elements showcased at Computex 2019 were powered by a 15-Watt Core U-series processor, and now various models will find their way into Intel Austin Beach fanless NUC with “Chandler Bay” NUC Compute Elements powered by Whiskey Lake processors. Intel Austin Beach specifications: Chandler Bay Compute Element (one or the other, all 15-W Whiskey Lake) BKCM8CCB4R – Intel Celeron 4305U 2-core/2-thread processor with 4GB LPDDR3, 64GB eMMC storage BKCM8PCB4R – Intel Pentium Gold 5405U 2-core/4-thread processor with 4GB LPDDR3, 64GB eMMC storage BKCM8i3CB4N – Intel Core i3-8145U 2-core/4-thread processor with 4GB LPDDR3 BKCM8i5CB8N – Intel Core i5-8265U 4-core/8-thread processor with 8GB LPDDR3 BKCM8v5CB8N – Intel Core i5-8365U 4-core/8-thread vPro processor with 8GB LPDDR3 BKCM8i7CB8N – Intel Core i7-8565U 4-core/8 […]

Somebody made a Tesla Cybertruck Case for Intel NUCs

CyberNUC Cybertruck Case for Intel NUC's

Let’s start the week on a light note… So last week, Tesla announced the Cybertruck, the first electric SUV from the company, and to be honest, at first I had to check whether I was reading the Onion or Babylon Bee because of the unconventional design of the chassis. But it’s real. Mass production is expected for the end of 2020, beginning of 2021, but you can have a miniature version (sort of) much earlier, as MyElectronics designed the CyberNUC, a stainless steel case for all 4″x4″ NUCs that closely follows the shape of the Cybertruck. We even have some specs for the CyberNUC: Compatible with  NUC 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 families Stainless steel body Two screws to fit your NUC in the case Weight – 1 Kg Dimensions – L 266 x W 149 x H 88 mm You might ask: “but why?”. And indeed it […]

Intel NUC 8 Rugged Fanless NUC is Powered by an Intel Celeron N3350 Processor

Intel NUC 8 Rugged Fanless NUC

Most Intel NUCs are cooled with a fan, and so far if you wanted a fanless NUC you had to purchase a third party enclosure. But Intel has been working on a new model named either “Chaco Canyon” NUC or Intel NUC 8 Rugged that’s both fanless and rugged. The fanless NUC is powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron N3350 Apolo Lake processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and a 64GB eMMC flash both of which are soldered to the board. You can add to storage thanks to an M.2 2280 slot with support for NVMe or SATA SSD’s. Intel NUC 8 Rugged specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron N3350 dual-core processor clocked at 1.1 GHz / 2.4 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 500; 6W TDP System Memory – Dual-channel 4GB RAM soldered-down Storage – 64GB eMMC flash soldered-down, M.2 2280 key M slot for PCIe x4 NVME or SATA SSD […]

Beelink X45 Basic/Premium NUC Clone Launched for $220 and Up

Beelink X45 SSD HDD

Last week, we started to read about Beelink X series mini PCs powered by Gemini Lake processors, and with a design similar to Intel NUC mini PCs. Three models will be available at first with Beelink X45 Basic/Premium based on Intel Celeron J4105 processor with respectively 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB RAM/storage configurations, and Beelink X55 with a more powerful Intel Pentium Silver J5005 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD. The Beelink X45 models have now showed up on GearBest with pricing starting at $219.99 shipped, but you can bring that down to just under $200 with GBmidyear2018 coupon. Beelink X45 Premium model sells for $259.99 before applying any coupon. [Update: Banggood lists Beelink X45 for $172.99 shipped] Beelink X45 Standard/Premium specifications: SoC – Intel Celeron J4105 quad core Gemini Lake processor clocked @ 1.50 GHz / 2.50 GHz (Turbo) with Intel UHD Graphics 600; 10W TDP System Memory / Storage […]

Canonical Releases Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Certified for Intel NUC

In the x86 world, the theory is that you can take a single Linux distro image should work on any x86 compatible hardware. But for Atom-class processors however,  including Bay Trail, Cherry Trail, Apollo Lake and Gemini Lake it has not always been the case, especially with features like audio output, Bluetooth, touchpad, and others. That’s why for example, Linuxium (Ian Morrison) decided to write isorepin.sh script in order to respin Ubuntu ISO images for such platforms and fix various issues. However, it appears Canonical and Intel have decided to take matters into their own hand, and have now released Ubuntu 16.04 LTS certified for Intel NUC mini PCs, kits, and boards for IoT deployment. Canonical made available both Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Core images. Most supported devices are based on Intel 7th generation Intel Core processors: NUC7i5DNKPC Mini PC with Intel Core i5-7300U NUC7i3DNKTC Mini PC with Intel Core […]

Intel NUC Kit NUC7PJYH Review – An Intel Gemini Lake Pentium Silver J5005 Barebone Mini PC

When Intel released their latest NUC Gemini Lake mini PCs they prioritized cost over performance. As a result the processor they chose for the ‘Intel NUC 7 Essential’ mini PC is somewhat underwhelming. Fortunately they released another model in the series, the rather misleadingly named ‘Intel NUC Kit NUC7PJYH’ which is is actually a ‘barebones’ mini PC just needing a stick or two of RAM and an SSD for storage. It contains an Intel Pentium Silver Processor J5005 SOC which is a quad core processor bursting up to 2.80 GHz together with a slightly more powerful Intel UHD Graphics 605 processor that is capable of 4K support at 60Hz. Visually it is no different to the Celeron NUC reviewed earlier in that it is physically small consisting of an approximately 4.5″ square case about 2″ tall with a distinctive front panel that includes the power button and a couple of […]

Intel NUC7CJYSAL “June Canyon” Gemini Lake NUC Mini PC Review with Windows 10 and Ubuntu

The hardware specification for mini PCs has recently evolved past the traditional fixed amount of memory and storage. Now mini PCs are shipping with SODIMM slots allowing RAM expansion and a variety of M.2 or SSD combos providing flexible storage options. Recent mini PCs are also coming to market with desktop processors rather than mobile processors because there has been a gradual acceptance of the necessary inclusion of a small internal fan. In doing so not only is this addressing the key limiting factors for mini PCs but it is also redefines the very definition of a mini PC. Until recently Intel NUCs (Next Unit of Computing) were seen as small-form-factor personal computers primarily because they consisted of the traditional motherboard with a processor, included removable RAM and storage and were enclosed in a case with an external power supply. They were also sold as kits meaning they were essentially […]