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| The NUC 16 Pro can be equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 CPU. Pictured: edited promo render of the mini PC. |
CES 2026 is in full swing, and Asus is making waves in the compact computing space. The tech giant has just pulled back the curtain on the Asus NUC 16 Pro, the direct successor to the popular NUC 14 Pro. This isn't just a simple refresh; it's a significant generational leap headlined by Intel's next-generation Panther Lake architecture, promising a major boost in graphics performance that could shake up the mini PC market.
The Heart of the Matter: Panther Lake and a GPU Game-Changer
The star of the show is under the hood. The NUC 16 Pro can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 series processor from the Panther Lake family. This CPU power is paired with a potentially groundbreaking integrated GPU. Asus claims the top-tier option will be the Intel Arc B390 iGPU.
Here's where it gets exciting: based on prevailing industry leaks, this new Arc graphics solution is projected to deliver roughly 16% better performance than AMD's Radeon 890M. The 890M is currently the flagship iGPU in AMD's powerful Strix Point mobile lineup, making this claim from Asus a bold statement of intent. For a device this small, that level of graphical muscle could enable serious 1080p gaming and smooth content creation, blurring the lines between mini PC and desktop gaming rigs.
Asus confirms the system supports fast LPDDR5x RAM and dual SSD slots for ample storage and memory configurations, though they're holding back the full specifics on maximum capacities for now.
Ports for Power Users: Connectivity Gets a Boost
The press release gives a clear picture of the extensive connectivity packed into the NUC 16 Pro's small frame. It's a setup designed for professionals and power users who need to connect everything without a dongle hunt:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 Ports: For ultra-fast data transfer, driving high-resolution displays, or connecting to docking stations. To get the most out of these ports, a high-quality cable is key. For instance, a 120 Gbps 4-foot Silkland cable is currently just $24.99 on Amazon, ensuring you get full bandwidth without breaking the bank.
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A: Plenty of ports for legacy and modern peripherals.
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C: Adding to the flexible connectivity.
- 2x 2.5G Ethernet LAN: A boon for network administrators, NAS users, or anyone needing robust, high-speed wired connections with potential for link aggregation.
- 2x HDMI or DisplayPort Outputs: Flexible multi-monitor setups are a given, supporting a variety of displays.
Design: Familiar, Focused, and Proven
If you've seen a NUC Pro before, the new model will look reassuringly familiar. Asus has stuck with the proven, professional design language of the NUC 14 Pro. The focus is clearly on the internal upgrades rather than an external redesign, maintaining the compact, VESA-mountable form factor that businesses and minimalist setups love.
Availability and Price: The Waiting Game
The two big questions remain unanswered for now. Asus has not yet announced a specific release date or the official pricing for the NUC 16 Pro lineup. However, looking at history gives us a clue. The previous generation NUC 14 Pro launched with a starting price of $394. Given the substantial performance upgrades, especially on the graphics front, we can expect the NUC 16 Pro to command a premium over that, potentially positioning it as a premium compact workstation.
Stay tuned as we await more details from Asus on when this Panther Lake-powered mini PC will hit the shelves.
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| Main highlights of the NUC 16 Pro |