ASUS Named Intel’s First Partner for NUC Mini PC Business
Intel has announced ASUS as its first partner for the company’s Next Unit of Compute (NUC) mini PC business. Under a non-binding agreement, ASUS will take over the manufacturing, selling, and support of Intel’s NUC line products from the 10th to the 13th generations. Additionally, ASUS will also be responsible for developing future NUC designs, paving the way for potential mini PCs, DIY kits for mini PCs and laptops, customizable boards, chassis, and other assembly elements.
This partnership comes shortly after Intel revealed its decision to end its “direct investment” in its NUC business, meaning it will no longer produce first-party NUC products. While Intel did not elaborate on the reasoning behind this move, collaborating with partners in a non-essential business will allow the company to allocate more resources to its core focus of chip manufacturing. Intel had previously reported better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of this year. However, its revenue was still down 36% compared to the same period in 2022, and the company expressed caution in the current economic climate.
Intel cited ASUS’ expertise and track record in delivering industry-leading mini PCs to customers as the reason behind selecting the company as its partner. To streamline operations, ASUS will establish a dedicated business unit called “ASUS NUC BU” to oversee all matters concerning Intel’s NUC. As part of the agreement, ASUS will receive a non-exclusive license to Intel’s NUC systems, allowing Intel to pursue collaborations with other companies in the future.
It is worth noting that all products recommended by Engadget are independently selected by their editorial team, and any affiliate links included may result in Engadget earning an affiliate commission. The prices mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of publishing.
Overall, the partnership between Intel and ASUS is expected to drive innovation and growth in the NUC systems market, leveraging ASUS’ capabilities in delivering cutting-edge mini PCs while allowing Intel to focus on its core business of chip production.