Intel no longer wants to make NUCs, but Asus is allowed to work with the leftovers. A new collaboration seems to secure the future of NUC computers.

Asus becomes the custodian of the NUC minicomputers. Intel announced last week that it was ending production and development next unit of account. This news hit like a bombshell with several specialist partners who make their living from the NUC ecosystem.

No more place at Intel

Intel brought the mini PCs onto the market in 2013 and then equipped them with laptop chips. This was necessary given the thermal limitations of the case, which was approximately 10cm x 10cm. Over the next decade, NUCs evolved into often very powerful small computers with full desktop chips. With CEO Pat Gelsinger now wanting Intel to refocus on CPU manufacturing, there’s no room for the NUC story at the company.

Partners can now sleep reasonably peacefully. NUC is not dead and buried yet, but is beginning a new chapter. Asus will not only continue to build existing computers, but also take care of the development of future devices. This makes Asus something of a preferred NUC partner with a responsibility to ensure the segment’s survival.

New department

Asus would create an entirely new division to support NUC. Existing customers will also be looked after by Asus in the future. That’s good news, as Intel is closing the doors to its division while many customers remain dependent on warranty and support.

Again, the whole plan is a bit unclear for non-Asus partners. The fact that NUC isn’t going away is undoubtedly good news. However, working with Intel was more of an independent partner, while Asus is more of a direct competitor to many NUC manufacturers.