Intel has officially canceled development on its NUC (Next Unit of Compute) product lineup as it plans to focus on other divisions.
Intel’s Promising NUC Mini PC Lineup Becomes a Victim of the Dwindling PC Industry
Rumors of cancellation were on the horizon since the media outlet ServeTheHome reported an internal message from Intel sent to its board partners, announcing the cancellation. However, now the company has officially released a statement citing a shift in focus:
We have decided to stop direct investment in the Next Unit of Compute (NUC) Business and pivot our strategy to enable our ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth. This decision will not impact the remainder of Intel’s Client Computing Group (CCG) or Network and Edge Computing (NEX) businesses. Furthermore, we are working with our partners and customers to ensure a smooth transition and fulfillment of all our current commitments.
Intel hasn’t specified a reason for this move, but the dwindling computer industry is a driving cause. The company states that essential support for the existing NUC products will be delivered, and its partners will fulfill all the existing orders.
For a quick recap, Intel’s NUC PC division has released a variety of products and perhaps the most prominent one being its Mini-PC lineup. The systems offered high-tier specifications and support at a fair price, gaining industry interest.
Apart from the declining demand, a key factor behind the move could be the dispersion in the Mini-PC industry. Over the past few years, we have seen companies like ASRock and ASUS enter the Mini-PC race offering competitive specifications and pricing. Products such as the ASUS PN64-E1 have gained traction in the industry, so it could be said that the focus on Intel’s NUC lineup has been diverted. The dire situation of the PC industry contributed significantly to this move since it was reported that the company could witness a whopping 53% drop in annual revenue.
The Intel NUC lineup had set up a benchmark in the industry, especially for Mini-PC products, and the cancellation move would disappoint many enthusiasts.