Following its initial reveal at CES 2026, ASUS has officially launched the NUC Pro 16. This premium mini PC marks a significant update for the product line, featuring Intel’s latest Panther Lake architecture and a focus on high-capacity memory and modern connectivity.
Performance and Specifications
The NUC Pro 16 maintains the compact form factor of its predecessors while significantly boosting internal capabilities. While the series supports high-end configurations up to the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H with 128 GB of DDR5 RAM, the initial retail release features a more streamlined setup:
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Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 356H (16 cores, up to 4.7 GHz).
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Graphics: Integrated graphics with 4 Xe Cores.
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Memory Support: Supports up to 128 GB via CSODIMM modules (up to 7,200 MT/s).
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Storage: Dual slots for up to 16 TB of total storage (one PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0).
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AI Processing: Includes an NPU capable of 50 TOPS for local AI workloads.
This specific launch configuration is positioned as a barebones unit, meaning users must provide their own RAM and storage. Given the 4 Xe Core GPU, this version is primarily aimed at CPU-intensive office tasks rather than high-end graphical production.
Connectivity and Design
Despite its small size, the device offers a robust array of ports and wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. The physical I/O includes:
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Two Thunderbolt 4 ports (40 Gbps).
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Four USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
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Dual 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports and two HDMI 2.1 outputs.
The chassis is designed for longevity, featuring a dual-fan cooling system and a tool-less entry mechanism to simplify hardware upgrades and maintenance.
Pricing and Availability
The barebones Intel Core Ultra 7 configuration is currently listed at $999. Higher-spec models and pre-configured versions are expected to follow.
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