Intel NUC 12 Pro Review
The Intel NUC 12 Pro is a compact and powerful desktop PC designed for business professionals.
Despite its size, this mini desktop PC packs a punch with a combination of high-performance and low-power cores. The latest generation model offers a significant improvement over the previous generation, with a 200-point increase in single-core performance and thousands of points increase in multi-core performance on Geekbench 5.
One of the best features of the Intel NUC 12 Pro is its portability. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, making it perfect for traveling professionals or for use as a portable desktop in a small office or workspace. The device is sold barebones, so you can customize with your own choice of components, or you can buy it from retailers like simplynuk.com with a variety of configurations available.
Performance and Graphics
The Intel NUC 12 Pro is powered by a P-Series processor, which provides a significant boost in performance compared to laptops with the same processor. The processor runs at a base line of 35 to 40 watts, with short-period boosts up to 64 watts, providing plenty of power for productivity tasks and light gaming.
The device comes equipped with Intel Iris XE graphics, which provides solid performance for most business applications and some light gaming. If you want to game more heavily, you can connect a dedicated GPU via one of the two Thunderbolt 4/USBC ports on the device. The NUC 12 Pro also has two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to connect up to four monitors for a multi-display setup.
The link to purchase an Intel NUC 12 Pro from Walmart can be found here
Pricing and Availability
The Intel NUC 12 Pro would not be considered a budget desktop PC, but it’s not unreasonably priced either. The cheapest configuration I found was $709 for a core i7 model with 64GB of RAM, but no SSD or operating system. If you want a more fully-featured model, there are a variety of core i5 configurations available from retailers, with your choice of different RAM and SSD capacities, and Windows 10 Pro pre-installed.
The link to purchase an Intel NUC 12 Pro from Amazon can be found here
Overall, the Intel NUC 12 Pro is a compact and powerful desktop PC that’s perfect for business professionals who need a portable and high-performing device. Its small size and customizable configuration make it a versatile option for a variety of needs, and the P-Series processor and Intel Iris XE graphics provide plenty of power for productivity and light gaming.
Pros:
- Compact and portable design
- High-performance P-Series processor
- Improved performance over previous generation
- Multiple connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4/USBC and HDMI 2.1
Cons:
- More expensive than some budget desktop PCs
- Sold barebones, so you’ll need to add your own components
Conclusion
The Intel NUC 12 Pro is a compact and powerful desktop PC that’s perfect for business professionals who need a portable and high-performing device. Its small size and customizable configuration make it a versatile option for a variety of needs, and the P-Series processor and Intel Iris XE graphics provide plenty of power for productivity and light gaming.
Purchase Decision Bottom Line
If you’re a business professional in need of a compact and powerful desktop PC, the Intel NUC 12 Pro would be a great choice. Its portability and customizable configuration make it a versatile choice, and the P-Series processor and Intel Iris XE graphics provide plenty of power for productivity and light gaming. Keep in mind that it’s more expensive than some budget desktop PCs and it’s sold barebones, so you’ll need to add your own components.
FAQ
Is the Intel NUC 12 Pro a good gaming PC?
- While the Intel NUC 12 Pro has some gaming capabilities thanks to its P-Series processor and Intel Iris XE graphics, it’s not designed to be a dedicated gaming PC. If you want to game more heavily, you can connect a dedicated GPU via one of the Thunderbolt 4/USBC ports on the device.
Can the Intel NUC 12 Pro be upgraded?
- Yes, the Intel NUC 12 Pro is sold barebones, so you can customize it with your own choice of components. This includes upgrading the RAM and storage, as well as adding a dedicated GPU if you want to improve its gaming capabilities.