NUC
(NextUnit ofComputing) A bare bones mini PC from Intel, introduced in 2012. The NUC includes the case, power supply and 4x4" motherboard. Commonly used for gaming or as a home theater PC (HTPC), it is small enough to be hidden behind the TV. The user adds RAM, storage and peripherals to make a complete computer.
The Compute Element
In 2020, the NUC line was made more modular and upgradable with the introduction of the Compute Element modules that plug into a compatible chassis. Seemini PCandHTPC.
Intel Mini PCs
The various models of the NUC are differentiated by Intel CPU and ports.(Image courtesy of Intel Corporation.)
Next Generation - The Compute Element
In 2020, Intel introduced its line of Compute Element modules. Available with different CPUs and looking like a fat video card, the Compute Element contains the motherboard, CPU, memory, I/O ports and PCI Express for storage. It plugs into the backplane of a Compute Element chassis.(Image courtesy of PCMag.com.)
A Gaming NUC
The NUC 11 is a Core i9-based PC aimed at gamers. At 14.1 x 7.4 x 4.7 inches, it is a rather small gaming rig but the largest NUC as of mid-2021. With its NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics, it punches a lot of power.(Image courtesy of PCMag.com.)
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