ASUS NUC 14 Essential Fanless

ASUS is back with a vengeance. Following the N100-powered PN42 in 2023, and PN43 in 2024, ASUS launches its third N100 fanless mini PC, the NUC 14 Essential Fanless. No worries, N150 and even N250 models are also coming! This time around, ASUS took no chances with cooling, the NUC 14 Essential Fanless features its beefiest heatsink yet (and it takes center stage in the products's promotional materials). The NUC 14 Essential Fanless is also extremely reliable. It's designed for 24/7 operation and is certified to meet MIL-STD-810H durability standards, which include temperature extremes, thermal shock, mechanical shocks and drops, vibration, dust and sand, humidity, altitude and low-pressure. We want one. 

Source: ASUS

We need the ASUS N304T

A passive Intel Core 3 304 motherboard would be an absolute bestseller. The Core 3 304 uses a hybrid architecture (1 P-core + 4 Low Power E-cores / 5 threads). That single dedicated P-core handles demanding, front-of-house operations immediately without stutters. Chips like the popular Intel N150 feature a purely efficient architecture (4 E-cores / 4 threads). It lacks high-performance cores. With a PassMark score of roughly 11,500 points, the Core 3 304 delivers more than double the overall processing power of the N150, which caps out at around 5,350 points. New Atoms are reportedly on the way from RosaicLabs, but processor development takes years, and we simply can't stay stuck on the N150 much longer. 

NUC 16 Pro review

Source: Robtech

Surprise NUC 16 launched

Out of nowhere, ASUS just announced the NUC 16, a budget-friendly alternative to the NUC 16 Pro. While the Pro version runs on a 25W Panther Lake-H CPU, the standard model scales things back with a power-efficient 15W Wildcat Lake processor. Honestly, we're loving this move. It brings the NUC back to what it used to be: affordable, low-power, and fanless-friendly. The NUC 16 only loses a Thunderbolt 4 port and a couple of USB 3.2 ports compared to the Pro version, while CPU options include the Core 3 Processor 304, Core 5 Processor 320, and Core 7 Processor 350.

Source: Liliputing 

Technically fanless

Here's the first prototype of the Ventiva / ASUS NUC. At Computex 2026, Ventiva announced a strategic partnership with ASUS to develop next-generation thermal architectures for compact computing systems. The collaboration focuses on integrating Ventiva’s silent, vibration-free ionic cooling technology into future ASUS NUC and mini-PCs. This ionic cooling moves air without mechanical fans, creating silent, vibration-free airflow. The Ventiva thermal module is comprised of a self-contained air blower device, fin stack, and vapor chamber or heat pipe.

Fake champagne energy

The ROG Crosshair 2006 motherboard celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Gamers brand. Built on the modern AMD X870E platform, it pays tribute to the original 2006 Crosshair by incorporating a retro aesthetic that features what look like copper heatsinks. Well, it's not copper. It's copper-colored aluminum. What a strange way to celebrate the original. As copper prices continue to skyrocket, we may soon see the material completely phased out of motherboards and CPU coolers.

Source: ROG 

The NUC 16 Pro is available

This new iteration is powered by the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors (Panther Lake architecture using Intel's 18A process node). It features a robust array of connectivity options, including the latest Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi standards, making it a versatile hub for home, professional use, or edge computing. Designed for 24/7 reliability, the Core Ultra 7 356H model is now listed for $1,119 (barebone) and up to $1,999 (32GB / 2TB model). Fanless cases are in works as we speak.

ASUS expands IoT offering

Honestly, we're pretty stunned and disappointed by this. ASUS just dropped a feature-rich fanless PC, but looking at those flimsy cooling fins, it's clear that aesthetics (or cost) won out over thermal efficiency. "Measuring just 63 x 110 x 160mm, PE1000U features extensive I/O connectivity to address the growing demand for real-time intelligence at the edge. Housed in a fanless, rugged IP40-rated chassis that’s been subjected to US MIL-STD-810H testing for 5Grms vibration, PE1000U is able to operate in environments with temperatures ranging between -25°C to 70°C.

PE1000U is powered by either an Intel Core Ultra 265U or 235U processor paired with hybrid cutting-edge CPU, GPU, and NPU acceleration for high single-thread responsiveness for motion control while simultaneously accelerating AI inference and graphics workloads. Front-access I/O connectors include four USB ports, up to four COM ports, and up to four Ethernet ports (two 2.5G by default) to simplify sensor, camera, and network integration. Onboard dual CAN Bus and an isolated DIO module enhance deterministic control, while DisplayPort™ and HDMI® outputs support up to two 4K displays."

Source: ASUS

NUC 16 Pro launch video

Courtesy of ASUS

Core Ultra 9 285T board

Launched this summer the ASUS Pro H810T-CSM is now available globally, including in Italy, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Poland, France, and more. The Thin mini-ITX motherboard features two SO-DIMM slots for up to 128GB of DDR5-6400. It offers a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and connectivity options like DisplayPort, HDMI, four USB ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. We're partial to ASUS and this board is our choice for a reliable Core Ultra 9 285T build.

ASUS AI machine available

The ASUS PE1100N is powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform to provide up to 100 trillion operations per second for efficient AI tasks. The PE1100N provides rich industrial connectivity, including dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, multiple USB and COM ports, DIO, and optional support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional 4G/5G cellular via M.2 slots. The PE1100N is available now for $899.

ASUS Tinker Board 3 goes passive

"The Akasa Skyline 3 Pro is designed for ASUS Tinker Board 3 and 3S: compact Arm® single-board computers (SBCs) with quad-core Cortex-A55 processors, Mali™-G52 graphics and built-in NPUs for seamless AI integration. Rich I/O, 4K display support and flexible power input make the SBCs ideal for digital signage, healthcare or smart retail systems.

A custom thermal module and high-performance thermal pads draw heat away from key hot zones into the aluminium body and fins, providing efficient, silent cooling for the ASUS Tinker Board 3/3S under sustained loads. The skyline-shaped top cover increases surface area, allowing heat to dissipate more efficiently and ensuring reliable performance without thermal throttling. 

The aluminium, skyline-shaped top cover increases surface area, allowing heat to dissipate more efficiently and ensuring reliable performance without thermal throttling. Combining modern aesthetics with functional performance, the Skyline Pro 3 delivers passive heat dissipation while protecting the SBC."

ASUS feature-rich IoT motherboard

ASUS heard our cries and finally launches a DC-powered N100 motherboard. Positioned for professional applications its industrial-grade design warrants a premium price, though. The passively-cooled N100I-EM-A is already available for $219 directly from ASUS, or for $200 from MIXTPC.

"The ASUS N100I-EM-A is a Mini-ITX industrial motherboard featuring rich I/O capabilities and advanced connectivity. It offers various display outputs: 1 x VGA port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x LVDS connector. The legacy options for industrial applications like 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers, 3 x USB 2.0 headers, 3 x COM headers, 3 x COM connectors, M.2 E key, and M.2 M key. Besides, N100I-EM-A  can support to maximum 16GB DDR4 memory and two Intel LAN ports. This makes the ASUS N100I-EM-A an ideal choice for a wide range of embedded applications."

Source: ASUS 

The NUC is built to last !

"Two facts about ASUS NUC mini-PCs that you might not know: first, their return rate as of June 2025 is impressively low at just 1%. Second, they stand out in the market with a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 50,000 hours. For those that are counting, that’s nearly six years of nonstop 24/7 use. If you’re working to maximize your return on investment for the next set of mini PCs for your business or organization, there’s no better choice.

For the ASUS NUC lineup specifically, we focus on MIL-STD-810H tests that demonstrate resistance to the environmental hazards that these mini-PCs might face in enterprise deployments. ASUS NUCs serve in environments ranging from corporate offices to factory floors, from aircraft to agricultural settings, and from humid tropical locations to bitterly cold regions.

Reliable operation in humid and hot environments is especially important for many deployment scenarios, so we check for potential performance and cosmetic degradation due to high temperature and humidity exposure. Our humidity test subjects products to 85% relative humidity and 85° C temperatures for approximately 500 hours – nearly twice as long as the comparable MIL-STD-810H test.

Our high temperature test is formulated to assess whether solder joints will be reliable over a product’s lifetime. In this test, ASUS NUC designs show that they can withstand over 600 cycles in our heat bake tests, which place the products in an environment with temperatures ranging from –40° to 100° C.

In our MTBF evaluations, we place forty NUC units in a controlled chamber and expose them to a constant 40° C temperature for a full 90 days. The length of the stress test, along with the tough environment that it requires the products to operate in, allows us to guarantee 24/7 reliable operation and assurance of long-term value for our customers."

Source: ASUS 

ASUS EBS-P310W announced

The ASUS EBS-P310W is a compact, fanless embedded computer designed for industrial and IoT applications. It is powered by an Intel Amston Lake SoC (Atom X7211RE/X7213RE/X7433RE/X7835RE options) and comes with 16GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory as well as 128GB of soldered eMMC storage. This rugged device supports high-resolution displays up to 4K@60Hz via its HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. Designed to operate in harsh environments, it boasts a heat sink case that allows for a wide operating temperature range, typically from -25°C to 60°C.

Source: ASUS 

AMD-ready Thin mini-ITX motherboard

Following the Intel version, ASUS also launches the first Ryzen 9000-compatible Thin mini-ITX motherboard, the Pro A620AT-CSM. This 170x170mm board also supports the Ryzen 8000 and Ryzen 7000 series. Almost identical to the Pro H810T, the Pro A620AT supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 SSD. True to its space-saving design, the Thin mini-ITX format eliminates the need for a bulky ATX power supply, opting instead for a DC power jack and external adapter.

Source: ASUS 

ASUS Pro H810T-CSM official

The first Thin mini-ITX motherboard designed for the latest Intel Arrow Lake CPUs is here. It features two SO-DIMM slots for DDR5 memory with speeds up to 6400+ MT/s and a maximum capacity of 128GB. For expansion, it offers a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and connectivity options like DisplayPort, HDMI, LVDS connector, four USB ports, including two 10Gbps Type-A. Of course, this Thin mini-ITX board also features a very handy DC power connector, making it perfect for small and fanless chassis like the Akasa Euler or Streacom DB1. 

Source: ASUS 

ASUS announces NUC 15 Pro

Introducing the ASUS NUC 15 Pro, where intelligent design meets unparalleled performance. Its compact form factor is engineered for versatility, making it ideal for a variety of development scenarios, from AI model training to data visualization. Powered by the latest Gen Intel Core Ultra processors, DDR5 6400 MHz memory, and Intel Arc GPU, it delivers exceptional speed and efficiency. Experience lightning-fast connectivity and seamless collaboration with cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7. Elevate your workflow and adapt to any environment with the NUC 15 Pro, your compact powerhouse for innovation.

AI-Optimized Power: Features the Latest Gen Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU, Up to 99 Platform TOPS, optimized for a wide range of workloads delivering up to 18% gen/gen performance.

Superior Connectivity: Features Intel Wi-Fi 7 with up to 2.4X faster transfer rates, Wi-Fi Proximity Sensing, and certified Bluetooth for enhanced audio quality and seamless connections.

Robust Security: Robust Security: With Intel vPro on Arrow Lake architecture, offering faster threat detection and fTPM 2.0 for stronger data protection.

Integrated & Expandable: Compact 0.48L design with a tool-less 2.0 chassis for quick upgrades, offering 6X faster integration gen/gen.

Exceptional Display Potential: Connect to four 4K displays via HDMI 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4, with headless emulation. New sync power-off feature automatically shuts the screen for better energy efficiency.

Reliable & Sustainable: Features 24/7 reliability with rigorous torture testing and MIL-STD-810H certification, ensuring durability in extreme conditions. The advanced cooling system enhances reliability by maintaining optimal performance, and eco-friendly packaging reflects a commitment to sustainability.

Source: ASUS 

Meet the NUC 14 Essential

ASUS launches the entry-level NUC 14 Essential, powered by exclusive and unannounced Alder Lake-N Refresh CPUs (Intel N150, N250, N355). The NUC 14 Essential will be available as a complete Windows 11 PC or as a barebone system. The system will likely require active cooling, although third-party fanless cases are always a possibility. 

"NUC 14 Essential offers seamless connectivity with a host of I/O ports on its front and rear panels, supporting up to three 4K displays and offering high-speed networking performance. The front panel features a headset jack, one USB-C (10 Gbps) and a USB Type-A (10 Gbps) port; while the rear includes two USB Type-A (10 Gbps) ports, one USB 2.0, one USB-C with DisplayPort (10 Gbps), one DisplayPort, HDMI, and one LAN port.

The energy-efficient Intel Core N-Series processor that powers NUC 14 Essential delivers outstanding performance while consuming less power. Unleash the power of multitasking in a compact 0.56L chassis, supporting up to three 4K displays with reduced latency, minimized power consumption, and smoother data transfer."

Source: ASUS 

$234 N97 motherboard

The ASUS N97T-IM-A is a compact Thin Mini-ITX motherboard designed for industrial and embedded applications. It features an Intel N97 processor which technically outperforms the mainstream N100 option. With support for multiple display outputs and a wide operating temperature range, it's built for demanding environments. This motherboard provides extensive I/O capabilities, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and dual LAN. ASUS emphasizes reliability and longevity with a seven-year product lifecycle. The N97T-IM-A is available now for $234.

Source: LinuxGizmos