Asus recently took over Intel’s NUC brand of compact computers, and now they are looking to breathe new life into Intel’s miniature gaming PCs. However, the price point may come as a surprise, as these systems could cost as much as, if not more than, comparable gaming laptops.
The Asus website currently showcases two models of the ROG NUC, priced at $1,629 and $2,199 respectively. The base model features an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, 16GB of 5600MHz DDR5 RAM, and 512GB of NVMe SSD storage. The higher-end configuration includes a Core Ultra 9 185H processor, RTX 4070 graphics, and 32GB RAM / 1TB storage.
Compared to Asus Zephyrus G14 and G16 laptops with similar specifications and lower prices, the ROG NUC models may not be the most budget-friendly gaming options available.
Despite the high price, the ROG NUC offers excellent connectivity options in a compact two-inch thick build. It features multiple USB-A ports, 10Gbps speeds, an SD Express 8.0 card reader, Thunderbolt 4 port with fast charging, headset jack, Ethernet port, DisplayPort, HDMI port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
While the ROG NUC offers good connectivity, some users may find the lack of USB-C ports and the need for a 330-watt external power brick to be less than ideal. Additionally, it comes with a vertical stand as shown in the image.
The internals of the ROG NUC remain unseen, but it features a rear panel button for easy access to upgrade RAM and add SSDs. With three M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 slots, expanding storage should be a straightforward process.
