Tag Archives: mini PC

Computers, News

ASUS Unveils the NUC 14 Pro AI with Intel Core Ultra Processors

Leave a comment

ASUS has announced the NUC 14 Pro AI, a groundbreaking mini PC that integrates the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) with Microsoft Copilot+. This compact device promises to deliver significant performance enhancements for a wide range of applications, from business and entertainment to industrial use cases.

ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI
Source: ASUS

Advanced Processing Power for Demanding Tasks

At the heart of the NUC 14 Pro AI is the latest generation of Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). These processors utilize a multi-architecture design, combining CPU, GPU, and NPU (Neural Processing Unit) technologies for optimal performance. This architecture delivers up to 120 platform TOPS (trillions of operations per second) and a substantial 48 NPU TOPS. This represents a threefold increase in AI performance compared to previous NUC models, positioning the NUC 14 Pro AI as a strong contender for demanding workloads in commercial settings, edge computing, and IoT deployments.

Enhanced Graphics and Memory for a Smoother Experience

The NUC 14 Pro AI features integrated Intel Arc 140/130V graphics, powered by the Xe2 Architecture. This integrated GPU delivers up to 67 TOPS, providing enhanced visuals for both content creation and general use. Technologies like Xe Super Scaling (XeSS) and Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) further boost graphics performance. Notably, the NUC 14 Pro AI is the first to incorporate on-chip LPDDR5x-8533 MT/s memory, offering a significant increase in memory bandwidth compared to DDR5. This improved memory performance should result in faster loading times and smoother multitasking.

AI Integration with Copilot+

A key feature of the NUC 14 Pro AI is its integration with Microsoft Copilot+. A dedicated Copilot button provides quick access to AI-powered functionalities. Combined with built-in microphones and speakers supported by Smart Amp technology, users can interact with the system using voice commands. Running on Windows 11, Copilot acts as an AI assistant, providing information and assistance from both local and web sources, aiming to enhance productivity and creativity.

Designed for Reliability, Security, and Ease of Use

ASUS has focused on reliability and security in the design of the NUC 14 Pro AI. Engineered for continuous 24/7 operation, the device incorporates advanced thermal management to maintain stable performance. Security features include Secure Boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and optional fingerprint recognition. For IT management, the NUC 14 Pro AI supports ASUS Control Center Remote Management and Microsoft Windows Autopilot, simplifying deployment and ongoing maintenance.

Compact Form Factor for Versatile Deployment

Despite its powerful internals, the NUC 14 Pro AI maintains a compact form factor, measuring 130 x 130 x 34mm with a 0.6-liter chassis. This small footprint makes it suitable for various environments where space is limited. The inclusion of embedded LPDDR5x memory, enhanced graphics, and intelligent cooling ensures efficient performance even in demanding scenarios. The NUC 14 Pro AI also meets EPEAT Climate+ energy standards, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. A toolless-access design simplifies upgrades and maintenance.

Comprehensive Connectivity Options

Connectivity is well-addressed with the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4. These technologies enable high-speed data transfers and seamless connections to a wide range of peripherals.

Pricing & Availability

The ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI is expected to be available in Malaysia around mid-February 2025. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date and will vary depending on the specific configuration.

Official Spec

CPUIntel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 288V (32GB memory) cTDP 30W Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 258V (32GB memory) cTDP 30W Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 256V (16GB memory) cTDP 30W Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 228V (32GB memory) cTDP 30W Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 226V (16GB memory) cTDP 30W
ChipsetIntegrated
GraphicsIntegrated – Intel® Arc™ graphics
MemoryIntegrated – LPDDR5x- 8533 16/32GB on chip (depending on CPU model)
Storage1 x M.2 2280 PCIe® Gen4x4, supports 256GB–2TB NVMe® SSDs
Wireless NetworkIntel® Wi-Fi 7[i], Bluetooth® 5.4[ii], 2×2
LAN1 x Intel® 2.5G LAN
Integrated Speaker1 x Internal mono-speaker with external smart amp
Digital Mics1 x Internal digital mic
TPMfTPM 2.0 or TPM 2.0 chip (Optional)
InterfaceTop I/O1 x Fingerprint module
Front I/O1 x Power button 1 x Copilot button 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (Supports DisplayPort™ 2.1) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (5Gbps) 1 x Audio Jack (Line out/Mic in/Headphone out
Side I/O1 x Kensington Lock slot
Rear I/O1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (Support DP2.1) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (10Gbps) 1 x HDMI® port[iii] 1 x 2.5G RJ45 LAN 1 x DC-in Note: Triple-display support enabled by 2x Thunderbolt 4 and 1x HDMI
PhysicalDimension130 x 130 x 34mm (0.5746-liter chassis)
Weight0.53kg
NoteASUS Corporate Stable Model
24/7 operation
Power Supply*[iv]20V DC / 19V DC, 6.0A / 6.32A 120W power adapter

[i] Wi-Fi 7 support depends on device compatibility, network setup, and regional availability of the 6 GHz band, which may not be accessible in all countries, potentially limiting full functionality.
[ii] Bluetooth version support may vary from OS. Bluetooth v5.4 function will be ready in  in Windows 11 or later.
[iii] Supports HDMI CEC & HDCP 2.2 ; Supports 4K @ 60Hz visuals as specified in HDMI 2.1
[iv] Passed the DOE VI regulation (over 250W: DOE efficiency 87.5%;  between 45W-250W: DOE efficiency 88%) List

Computers

Lenovo YOGA Portal Packs Performance with A Small Footprint

Leave a comment

Lenovo has unveiled a compelling challenger to the Apple Mac Studio: the Yoga Portal. This high-performance mini PC boasts impressive desktop-grade components packed into a surprisingly small form factor, making it ideal for content creators, professionals, and gamers who value power without sacrificing space.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (2)

Mighty Specs in a Tiny Footprint

The Yoga Portal defies expectations by fitting powerful hardware into a compact design measuring just 19.5 x 19.1 x 10.8 cm and weighing 3.5 kg. Don’t be fooled by its size; the Yoga Portal packs a serious punch when it comes to performance.

Under the hood, the Yoga Portal features a desktop-class Intel Core i7-14700 processor, boasting 20 cores and 28 threads. This powerhouse CPU should pack enough performance for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and high-end gaming. The 5.4 GHz single-core boost clock promises smooth performance even under heavy workloads.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (3)

Complementing the processor is a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, a significant upgrade compared to the ThinkCentre Neo Ultra’s integrated graphics. This discrete GPU delivers exceptional graphics capabilities, allowing you to tackle demanding creative tasks and enjoy smooth gameplay at high resolutions.

Designed for Expansion and Upgradability

The Yoga Portal comes standard with 32GB of DDR5 memory, offering excellent multitasking capabilities and seamless application switching. Additionally, the memory is user-upgradeable, allowing you to further enhance performance as your needs evolve.

Storage is handled by a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, providing ample space for your files and applications. Similar to the memory, the SSD is also user-upgradeable, allowing you to expand storage capacity for larger projects and extensive media libraries. The Yoga Portal even offers a dedicated M.2 slot for adding an independent NPU card, potentially boosting AI performance for specific applications.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (1)

Comprehensive Connectivity

Despite its small size, the Yoga Portal comes with a comprehensive selection of ports to connect all your peripherals. The front panel features a 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports, and a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port for versatile connectivity.

The rear panel provides even more options, including two additional USB-A ports (one USB 10Gbps and one USB 3.2 Gen 1), an HDMI 1.4 TMDS port, an HDMI 2.1a FRL port, and four DisplayPort 1.4a ports. This extensive array of ports ensures compatibility with various displays, external storage solutions, and other peripherals. Additionally, the Yoga Portal comes equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for reliable wired network connectivity.

Lenovo Yoga Portal (1)

Pricing & Availability

The Lenovo Yoga Portal is currently available for pre-order in China, with a starting price of ¥17,999 (approximately USD $2,480). For Malaysian consumers, the converted price translates to roughly RM11,140, though official Malaysian pricing and availability haven’t been confirmed yet.

Computers, Lifestyle, News

ASUS’ New ExpertCenter PN64-E1 is the Mini PC for Modern Businesses

Leave a comment

At the heart of any scalable business in the modern world is a computer. It is not necessarily the most powerful PC you can find in the market. It does not need to be. The PC you look at, when you need to run a business, is a PC small enough to fit into any space and powerful enough to run either your accounting programs, your Point of Sale (POS) program, or even for inventory tracking. In those use cases, you do not need a processing chip with a million cores and clocks at a hundred GHz. You need something that is power efficient, takes up little space, and reliable. You need a mini PC, most of the time.

ASUS announces their latest mini PC that should be right up your alley in commercial applications. The ExpertCentre PN64-E1 mini PC, as they call it, is a tiny little box of a PC that is no larger than your regular TV box today. While it is not the first PC in the world to feature Intel’s 13th generation Core processor, it is one of the smallest you can find in the world at this time. It is also powerful enough to power up to four 4K displays at any given time.

ASUS’ ExpertCentre PN64-E1 mini PC is not going to be something you want to get for gaming. It packs up to Intel’s Core i7-13700H. It is an H-series processor, which should be a good indication to its performance. It is not a full-fledged desktop processor though. The H-series processor is a mobile processor. That also means that you will not be able to upgrade the processor in the future. Still, this PC should be able to work for you in the next 3 years at least. You can also opt for Intel’s Core i5-13500H if budget is a concern. Both processors has a typical power draw of up to 35W, which means that they are highly efficient to work with.

Alongside the processor is up to 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM. You cannot upgrade this in the future too though, since they are SO-DIMM units soldered to the board. Still, if you opt for the 32GB variant, you can rest easy knowing that it will run all kinds of things without too much of a hiccup in the coming years. You can also opt for up to 1TB in HDD storage and up to 2TB in SSD storage just to ensure that your programs run smoothly and you have ample of storage to store your data.  

As mentioned, the ExperCenter PN64-E1 can support up to four 4K displays at the same time, or a single 8K 60fps output. There are two HDMI outputs out the back of the mini PC and two additional Thunderbolt 4 capable USB Type-C ports to work with. If you should ever need multiple displays on your storefront, a single unit should be able to handle most of the workload. All of this is also made possible by Intel’s latest Iris Xe graphics integrated to the Core processors. You can also use one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports as a power input port if you prefer to run multiple machines with a single GaN charger.

  • ASUS ExpertCenter PN64 E1
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 6
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 4
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 5
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 1
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 2
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 7
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 9
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 8
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 10
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 11
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 13
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 12
  • ASUS ExperCenter PN64E1 Rndr 3

There are no mentions on the ASUS ExpertCenter PN64-E1 mini PC’s availability in the region just yet. With that, there are also no mentions on its final pricing either. If you wish to obtain the mini PC for commercial purposes, you can directly reach out to ASUS for inquiries. Otherwise, we have to wait for ASUS to officially announce its local availability and final price. For that and more, watch this space. If you want to know more about ASUS’ latest mini PC, you can find out more on their website.