Simply NUC launched the Intel NUC 12 Pro, a new line of compact desktop computers with the latest generation of processors from the chip giant and specifically with Alder Lake-P 28 Watt and versions available up to models with 12 cores and 16 threads and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics.

Intel has made the NUC series the industry standard for mini-PCs. In the face of a big drop in desktop tower sales, these compacts are a big draw for their small size, good connectivity and enough power for various types of computing use on the desktop or in the living room for home theater.

With the introduction of the twelfth generation of processors, Intel prepared the new NUC 12 series with “Extreme Dragon Canyon” as the top of the line in performance and with the big news of its new dedicated graphics. As an intermediate version, Intel is preparing “Serpent Canyon” (Core-H and Arc A-Series Mobile); “Alder County” (12th generation Core-H and Arc A-Series Mobile) and the one that concerns us in this article.

Intel NUC 12 Pro

Already the codename “Wall Street Canyon” tells us that this variant is aimed at the business and professional segments, but it will also find application in any home office computing environment or for any consumer looking for a small desktop.

The series is sold in two form factors, both with minimal dimensions to house the ITX board that serves as the base for the rest of the components. The short version measures 117 x 11 x 37 mm and the long (taller) version measures 117 x 112 x 54 mm and adds an additional standard 2.5-inch bay and an optional I/O expansion module for additional ports.

The Intel NUC 12 Pro is available with a choice of processors such as Intel Core i5-1240P and Core i7-1260P that they debut at launch. The most basic versions with Core i3 will be available soon, as well as variants with vPro processors aimed at business environments, which require additional hardware management and security features.

All versions have two SODIMM slots to accommodate up to 64 GB of memory DDR4-3200 and a connector for a PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD that serves as the primary internal storage. The long model adds the aforementioned 2.5-inch bay with the option of fitting an SSD or hard disk under the SATA interface for additional storage.

Their connectivity it’s really good for its size and doesn’t lack anything you’d look for, both inside and out with ports spread across the back and front:

• Ethernet LAN 2.5 Gbps.
• Intel AX211 chip with Wi-FI 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 support.
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
• Two HDMI 2.0b ports.
• Three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports.
• One USB 2.0 Type A port.
• One 3.5mm audio jack.

Prices set by SimplyNUC for these Intel NUC 12 Pro they start at $749 for a Core i5 model with 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, or $879 for a Core i7 model with similar specs. It must be said that this vendor, an Intel “titan” partner, charges extra for the additional support they offer, so it’s certain that other vendors will sell this series at lower prices.

The next versions with Core i3 should also reduce the price. Recall that Intel will sell this series in a barebones format so that users can include their own memory and storage in addition to their preferred operating system, with Windows and Linux as compatible.