Asus unveils the NUC 16 Pro mini PC featuring Intel's latest Panther Lake processors, delivering up to 50% graphics improvements and tool-less upgradability in a compact form factor.
Intel may have exited the NUC business, but Asus is pushing the mini PC format forward with its new NUC 16 Pro – the first commercially available system featuring Intel's next-generation Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors. Announced just a day after Intel's official chip launch, this compact powerhouse delivers significant generational improvements while maintaining the NUC's signature small footprint.
Performance Leap
Powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor with 16 cores (4P+8E+4LPE) and Arc Pro B390 graphics (12 cores), the NUC 16 Pro promises:
- Up to 50% faster 3D graphics performance
- 20% overall system improvement
- 50% lower power consumption compared to previous-gen Arrow Lake models
The neural processing unit (NPU) hits 50 TOPS for AI acceleration, aligning with Microsoft's Copilot+ PC requirements.
Configuration Options
| Processor | Cores | Max Freq | Graphics | RAM Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra X9 388H | 16-core | 5.1 GHz | Arc Pro B390 (12C) | 96GB LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Core Ultra X7 358H | 16-core | 4.8 GHz | Arc Pro B390 (12C) | 96GB LPDDR5X-9600 |
| Core Ultra 7 356H | 16-core | 4.7 GHz | Intel Graphics (4C) | 128GB DDR5 |
| Core Ultra 5 325 | 8-core | 4.5 GHz | Intel Graphics (4C) | 128GB DDR5 |
Note: Higher-end models use faster LPDDR5X memory (non-upgradeable) while lower-tier variants support more total DDR5 via SO-DIMM slots.
Storage & Expansion
Caption: Tool-less access to internal components
The 144 x 117 x 42mm (5.7″ x 4.6″ x 1.7″) chassis features:
- Dual M.2 2280 slots (PCIe 5.0 x4 + PCIe 4.0 x4)
- Tool-less design – flip the latch to access internals
- Only "short" version announced (no 2.5" HDD bay)
Connectivity & Cooling
Caption: Port layout including Thunderbolt 4 and dual Ethernet
Ports include:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4
- 5x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 2x HDMI or 2x DisplayPort 2.1
- 2x 2.5 GbE Ethernet
Additional features:
- Supports four simultaneous displays
- WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0
- Active cooling system with dual fans + heat pipes
- Dedicated DIMM fan for 65W CPU models
- 120-150W power adapter
Closing Thoughts
Caption: Compact footprint with powerful internals
The NUC 16 Pro brings workstation-grade components to a miniature form factor, with the Core Ultra X9 model standing out as a graphics powerhouse. While pricing remains unannounced, the specs suggest Asus is targeting professional users needing desktop-level performance in a portable package. With tool-less upgrades and next-gen connectivity, this could become the gold standard for prosumer mini PCs when it launches later this year.
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion