Intel and ASUS Agree to Term Sheet to Take Intel NUC Systems Product Line Forward

[btarunr]

Today, Intel announced it has agreed to a term sheet with ASUS, a global technology solution provider, for an agreement to manufacture, sell and support Intel Next Unit of Compute (NUC) 10th to 13th generations systems product line, and develop future NUC systems designs. "Our NUC systems product team delivered unique products that spurred innovation in the ultra-small form factor market. As we pivot our strategy to enable ecosystem partners to continue NUC systems product innovation and growth, our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and partners. I am looking forward to ASUS continuing to deliver exceptional products and supporting our NUC systems customers," said Sam Gao, Intel vice president and general manager of Intel Client Platform Solutions.

Intel is pivoting its strategy to enable ecosystem partners to continue NUC systems product line innovation and growth. ASUS's expertise and track record delivering industry-leading mini PCs to customers make it ideally suited to continue driving innovation and growth in NUC systems products. "Thank you, Intel, for your confidence in us to take the NUC systems product line forward. I am confident that this collaboration will enhance and accelerate our vision for the mini PC - greatly expanding our footprint in areas such as AI and AIoT," said Joe Hsieh, ASUS chief operating officer. "We are committed to ensuring the excellent support and service that NUC systems customers expect."



Under the proposed agreement, ASUS will receive a non-exclusive license to Intel's NUC systems product line designs, enabling it to manufacture and sell 10th to 13th Gen NUC systems products and develop future designs. This will enable ASUS to provide product and support continuity for Intel NUC systems customers. ASUS will establish a new business unit called ASUS NUC BU.

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[Nanochip]

I could use a mini pc/nuc with integrated battlemage graphics and thunderbolt 5. Let’s go!

 

[Minus Infinity]

Asucks so that's a big hell no.

 

[Tomorrow]

Bad timing. They should have announced this sooner. Now everyone thinks NUC's are dead.

 

[TheDeeGee]

The worst company to team up with.

 

[john_]

So, Intel stopped making NUCs because it wanted to throw a bone to ASUS, the biggest manufacturer, in an effort probably to convince ASUS to keep making more Intel based mini PCs than Ryzen based? Just a thought.
ASUS was one of the few who rushed to get into Nvidia's GeForce Partner Program, right?

 

[pressing on]

ASRock Industrial produce NUC lookalikes and even use the NUC name for example the NUC BOX-1360P/D5. So a copyright dispute brewing between ASRock and Asus?

 

[Wirko]

Bad timing. They should have announced this sooner. Now everyone thinks NUC's are dead.

There's some truth in that.

I think Intel created the NUC as a demonstration vehicle, and a reference design. This way, Asus, MSI and everyone else could make similar designs, Intel-based of course, with little engineering effort. Clones, basically.
But Intel apparently trademarked the NUC name itself. Quite wrong. Instead, they should have established a certification program with some requirements regarding size, expandability, I/O etc, so that others could make boxes with the very much recognisable name on them.

And by the way - Intel also sold NUCs as bare motherboards all along, I think they were the only ones to do that, or did anyone else too?

 

[watzupken]

I do question how many mini PCs/ NUC does Asus sell each year. Given that there are so many China branded mini PCs, I certainly won't bother to pay Asus for overpriced PCs. For context, I think a non-latest model but decent mini PC from say Beelink or Minisforum can cost about the same as a barebone mini PC from Asus. Understand that it is not a like for like comparison in a sense that the warranty for Beelink/ Minisforum may be a little shady, but if I can buy 2 for the same price, I think I am pretty much covered.