Key Takeaways
1. Asus launched the NUC 16 Pro mini-PC, replacing the NUC 15 Pro, with a new design and dimensions of 144 x 117 x 42 mm.
2. The NUC 16 Pro offers processor options including the Core Ultra X9, but currently features a variant with Core Ultra 7 356H and Intel Graphics 4 Xe3 priced at $999.
3. A new variant with Core Ultra X7 358H and Arc B390 GPU is available in China, priced at CNY 10,999 (about $1,597), featuring 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage.
4. The NUC 16 Pro includes dual M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 5 slots and has different RAM configurations based on the model.
5. Asus is expected to expand the NUC 16 Pro lineup throughout 2026, with more options and announcements to come.
Asus has just launched a stronger model of its newest mini-PC. Unveiled in January at CES 2026, the NUC 16 Pro takes the place of the NUC 15 Pro, which is currently priced at $1,139 on Amazon, and comes equipped with Intel’s Panther Lake processors. The new NUC 16 Pro features a refreshed design, boasting a broader shape with dimensions of 144 x 117 x 42 mm.
Processor Options
At first, Asus had mentioned that the NUC 16 Pro would come with options for up to a Core Ultra X9 Series 3 processor and an Arc B390 integrated GPU. However, just earlier this month, they rolled out a version with only the Core Ultra 7 356H. This variant, priced at $999, has the less powerful Intel Graphics 4 Xe3, which includes 4 GPU cores.
New Variants Released
While we’re still looking forward to the Core Ultra X9 388H model, Asus has also introduced a Core Ultra X7 358H version that features the more capable Arc B390 integrated GPU. Currently, this model is only available in China and comes with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, priced at CNY 10,999 (about $1,597). It also includes a Wi-Fi 7 modem and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Asus has pointed out that this model includes soldered LPDDR5X-9600 RAM and offers dual M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 5 slots. On the other hand, the barebones configuration with the Core Ultra 7 356H available in the US supports CSO-DIMM RAM and both M.2 2242 and M.2 2280 SSDs. Sadly, there are no updates on when it will be available globally. Based on past trends, it seems likely that Asus will gradually expand its NUC 16 Pro series throughout 2026.
Conclusion
This new lineup shows Asus’s commitment to enhancing its mini-PC offerings, and consumers can expect more options as the year progresses. Keep an eye out for future announcements and releases related to the NUC 16 Pro models.
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