ASUS has recently introduced its latest mini-PC, the NUC 14 Pro AI, codenamed Lunar Canyon. This compact powerhouse showcases Intel’s newly released Core Ultra 200V series processors, based on the Lunar Lake architecture. The dedicated Copilot+ button on the front panel is a standout feature, signaling ASUS’s commitment to AI integration.
The NUC 14 Pro AI boasts impressive specifications, with options up to the top-tier Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor. However, it marks a significant shift in memory configuration compared to its predecessor.
The new model incorporates up to 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 on-package memory, moving away from the traditional SO-DIMM slots. While potentially limiting for some users, this change aligns with Intel’s Lunar Lake design philosophy of integrating memory directly onto the system-on-chip (SoC).
Although ASUS has been somewhat reserved in disclosing full specifications, several key features have been confirmed. The NUC 14 Pro AI includes Intel’s Xe2 “Battlemage” integrated graphics, promising a 50% improvement in gaming performance over the previous Meteor Lake generation. Additionally, the system supports M.2 2280 SSDs for storage, 2.5GbE Ethernet for high-speed networking, cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity.
The mini-PC’s connectivity options are comprehensive. The front panel houses a 3.5mm combo audio jack, two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. The rear of the device offers two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, an additional Thunderbolt 4 port, an HDMI output, a 2.5GbE Ethernet port, and a DC power input.
ASUS may be pioneering the market with the first Copilot+-enabled mini-PC, as evidenced by the dedicated button on the NUC 14 Pro AI’s front panel. Previously seen on some laptops, this feature marks an exciting development in desktop AI integration.
Including Intel’s Core Ultra 200V series processors brings significant AI capabilities. These chips boast a neural processing unit (NPU) contributing to a combined AI performance of over 120 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) across the CPU, GPU, and NPU. This aligns perfectly with ASUS’s decision to prominently feature “AI” in the product name, suggesting a strong focus on artificial intelligence applications for this compact yet powerful system.
