Asus unveiled its long-awaited ROG NUC at CES 2024, and after Intel handed over the reins of its NUC business to Asus, it was always expected that a company with resources like Asus would develop a ROG-themed NUC.

While far from the first Next Unit of Computing (NUC)-style gaming PC - Intel itself has produced a series of gaming NUCs - the debut of the Asus ROG NUC is a great indication that the future of the mini-gaming PC is moving in the right direction The debut of the Asus ROG NUC is a great indicator that the future of mini gaming PCs is moving in the right direction. As an avid fan of small form factor PCs, I am excited about the possibilities of how Asus will develop this concept in the future.

The Asus ROG NUC (codenamed Scorpion Canyon) will initially be offered in two configurations: the first with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and an Nvidia RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, while a more powerful version will feature a Core Ultra 9 185H and an RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. Both versions use the same 2.5 liter chassis.

They can be mounted vertically or horizontally, making them an attractive option for gamers and power users looking for a compact system that can be connected to a large-screen TV, carried on a small desk, or tucked into luggage without too much trouble.

Other specifications include dual-channel SO-DIMM support, three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and USB-C fast charging support. It also supports up to four 4K displays, making it an attractive option for users who need the performance of a discrete GPU for applications that struggle with integrated graphics.

As for I/O, the system includes the aforementioned Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 (and possibly DP) support, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and DP 1.4 ports, in addition to six USB ports. An SD card reader and 3.5mm audio jack are also present, as is Wi-Fi 6E. Connectivity options are quite extensive.

I love the idea of having one of these connected to a 75" TV in my living room and enjoying the flexibility of a Windows system that a console does not offer. Of course, the consoles have the advantage in price. So far, Asus has not disclosed pricing information, but given the R&D costs, high specs, and premium ROG branding, they won't be cheap.