Intel ‘Arena Canyon’ NUC Features 13th Gen Core CPUs
The mini-PCs should start arriving this week, with more configurations available by June. Expect prices to range from $340 to $1,080.
By Michael Kan
Intel is refreshing its NUC line—best known as configurable mini-PCs—with 13th Generation Core “Raptor Lake” CPUs while maintaining the hardware’s compact size.
On Monday, the company introduced the NUC 13 Pro, also dubbed “Arena Canyon.” The next-generation mini PCs should start arriving this week at prices ranging from $340 to $1,080.
The new model retains the 4-by-4-inch form factor, making it easy to carry the mini-PC anywhere and place it on a desk. Intel also upgraded the processing power by incorporating the laptop-focused Raptor Lake P-Series chips that require less power and cooling to operate. The NUC 13 will arrive with options for the Core i3–1315U CPU all the way up to the Core i7–1370P.
The new product will compete against Apple’s recently released Mac mini, which can range from $599 to $1,299 and features the company’s own low-powered Arm chips. But unlike the Mac mini, you can manually upgrade an Intel NUC with more RAM or storage.
Intel is preparing two Arena Canyon models. Both offer two HDMI ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, along with three USB 3.2 ports and a single USB 2.0 port. However, one model is taller than the other because it can provide additional memory storage and the option for an I/O expansion.
Other features include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and support for up to 64GB dual-channel DDR4–3200 RAM. Intel says the first NUC 13 Pro configurations will arrive this week before more other configurations become available by June.
It’s important to note the $340-to-$1,080 prices sometimes represent only part of the cost. Intel designs the NUCs to be barebones PCs, meaning buyers have to install their own RAM and SSD in the devices. Still, retailers have also sold NUCs with the memory, storage, and Windows OS pre-installed. So interested customers should look carefully at the hardware’s configuration before buying.
Intel also plans on selling a board version of the NUC 13 Pro, so PC makers can build their own versions of the mini PC.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
