14 DAY TRIAL // The Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is one of Intel’s better known side projects. NUC computers are basically smallish desktop PCs designed to showcase the company’s latest chips.
So it should come as no surprise that after Intel finally launches the 5th-gen Core processors, the NUC family will include models bundling Broadwell chips, too.
Intel’s leaked product roadmap (via FanlessTech) shows exactly this scenario become reality somewhere in the fourth quarter of 2014.
The upcoming “Rock Canyon” NUC devices will arrive equipped with Intel Core i3 or Core i5 Broadwell chips and will be capable of handling three 3 displays at once. Other options will include 2.4 inch / 6.35 cm drives and/or M.2 solid state drives, USB 3.0 ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
An IR sensor used in concert with a remote control will allow users to use the NUC as a home theatre PC too.
There’s also another model dubbed “Maple Canyon” which is aimed at the commercial market and it should be made available on the market in late 2014. The specifications are pretty similar, except this one lacks the IR port and presents Intel vPRo and TPM hardware options.