NUC
In today’s technological world, sometimes there are needs for a small compact desktop PC. For example, maybe you want a PC that can stream movies to your TV, but you don’t have the space for a tower. Perhaps you work in a business where desk space is limited, or perhaps in an area where a large cumbersome tower might be unsightly for customers.
Often people might turn to a laptop, but this doesn’t fit the need quite right. It’s a waste of money to purchase a product whose greatest asset is its portability, and then tether it to a keyboard, mouse, screen and power cable, or have it tucked away or on a desk, not moving.
The other solution has been small form factor PC’s, but these often have the side effect of overheating, and to avoid this, use sub-performing parts with lower heat ratios. But a lower performing PC may not be what you want either.
Enter Intel’s Next Unit of Computing, or NUC, for short. This little box measures 11cm by 11cm, and is only 4cm’s high, and can be mounted on the back of TVs or monitors to tuck it out of sight.
There are a few different editions, with varying options too. For example, it can contain either an Intel i3 or i5, which offers very good performance. The new Intel processors also have integrated graphics capabilities, for large displays or intensive applications. Also, it supports an SSD, which is a quicker, more reliable storage compared to normal HDD storage. You also have the option of wireless or non-wireless editions.
There are a few other connection options too: You can have USB3 or Thunderbolt for super-fast external storage, or multiple HDMI ports, for dual-screens. This means you can have a local monitor for using the computer, and use the second one port for your TV or projector, or you can run two screens side by side for more efficient operation. For businesses in particular, it offers Gigabit LAN, which means it can access information from your internal network at high speeds.
All in all, the NUC is a perfect fit for applications where you need a small, tidy computer which still has excellent performance. Ask your local computer store for demo!