ASUS has just unveiled its latest mini-PC, the NUC 14 Pro AI, codenamed Lunar Canyon. This compact powerhouse is powered by Intel’s newly released Core Ultra 200V series, known as ‘Lunar Lake’ processors, and boasts a dedicated Copilot+ button on its front panel.
The NUC 14 Pro AI is equipped with Intel’s flagship Core Ultra 9 288V processor, offering impressive performance. One notable change is the shift to on-package memory, with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 RAM. This move away from SO-DIMM slots, a feature of the previous ROG 14 Pro+ which supported up to 96GB of DDR-5600 memory, limits the NUC 14 Pro AI to a maximum of 32GB.
While ASUS hasn’t fully disclosed all the specifications, we know the NUC 14 Pro AI features Xe2 ‘Battlemage’ integrated graphics, promising a 50% performance boost over Meteor Lake. It also includes M.2 2280 SSD support, 2.5GbE ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
In terms of connectivity, the NUC 14 Pro AI offers a 3.5mm combo audio jack, two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and a Thunderbolt 4 port on the front. The rear panel provides two additional USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, another Thunderbolt 4 port, an HDMI port, a 2.5GbE ethernet port, and a DC-in port.
The most intriguing feature of the NUC 14 Pro AI is the dedicated Copilot+ button. While newer laptops have adopted such buttons, a mini-PC with a physical button for Copilot+ is a unique development from ASUS. This integration highlights the focus on AI capabilities, as Intel’s new Core Ultra 200V series boasts an NPU with over 120 TOPS of combined AI performance, encompassing the CPU, GPU, and NPU.
The NUC 14 Pro AI is a compelling mini-PC option for users seeking powerful performance and advanced AI features. Its compact design, potent processing power, and dedicated Copilot+ button make it an attractive choice for both professional and personal use.
