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The Asus ROG NUC is a small desktop computer with a 2.5 liter chassis and support for up to an Intel Core ultra 9 185H processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics. Basically it’s got the guts of a high-performance gaming laptop stuffed into a mini PC.
When Asus first unveiled the ROG NUC during CES in January, the company didn’t provide any information about pricing or availability. But now we know how much it will cost: prices will start at $1629 for a model with a Core Ultra 7 155H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics.
The higher-spec model with a Core 9 processor and RTX 4070 graphics will sell for $2199.
While those prices make this one of the most expensive mini PCs around, it will also be one of the most powerful and versatile, thanks to Intel’s latest mobile processors, discrete graphics, and support for up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and three M.2 2280 slots for up to three PCIe Gen 4×4 SSDs.
Just keep in mind that since this is a mobile CPU and mobile GPU, neither are user upgradeable.
You can find gaming laptops with similar processors, graphics, and a keyboard, battery and display for similar prices. But you won’t find many models with support for three SSDs or as many ports as the ROG NUC.
The computers supports up to four displays thanks to a generous set of ports that includes a Thunderbolt 4 port, two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and an HDMI port. There’s also a 2.5 GbE LAN port, six USB Type-A ports (four are USB 3.2 Gen 2, and two are USB 2.0), and a 3.5mm audio jack and SD card reader.
The ROG NUC also takes up less space on a desk than a typical gaming laptop, measuring 270 x 180 x 50mm (10.6″ x 7.1″ x 2″.
Here’s an overview of specs for the two ROG NUC models Asus plans to make available at launch:
Asus ROG NUC specs |
||
Model | RNUC14SRKU7168A0I | RNUC14SRKU9189A0I |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
Graphics | Intel Arc (integrated) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (discrete) |
Intel Arc (integrated) NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (discrete) |
RAM | Up to 32GB 2 x SODIMM slots DDR5 |
|
Storage | 3 x M.2 2280 slots PCIe Gen4x4 |
|
Front ports | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm combo audio 1 x SD card reader |
|
Rear ports | 1 x Thunderbolt 4 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A 1 x HDMI 2 x DisplayPort 1.4a 1 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet (Intel) 1 x DC power input |
|
Wireless | Intel Killer AX1690i WiFi 6E BT 5.3 |
|
Audio | Realtek ALC256 | |
Power | 330W power adapter | |
Dimensions | 270 x 180 x 50mm | |
Prices | $1629 | $2199 |
Asus hasn’t finalized plans for when it will begin shipping its first ROG NUC-branded mini gaming PC, but The Verge reports it probably won’t happen until April or May at the soonest.
That’s around the time that Asus also plans to begin selling the NUC 14 Pro and NUC 14 Pro+ with prices starting at $394 and $869, respectively.