Key Takeaways
1. Asus has released the NUC 16 Pro mini PC with the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H, first shown at CES 2026.
2. A mid-tier model with the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is available for $999 as a barebone system on Newegg.
3. The mini PC supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and has two M.2 slots for a total of 16TB storage.
4. It features two Thunderbolt 4 ports for eGPU support and has a dual-fan cooling system.
5. The NUC 16 Pro has a toolless design for easy upgrades and maintenance.
Asus has released one version of the NUC 16 Pro mini for sale. This system was first shown at CES 2026, and it was announced that it will come with up to the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H from the Panther Lake series.
Mid-Tier Option Available
Although the high-end model isn’t ready for purchase yet, Asus has made a mid-range variant featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H available for sale. This NUC 16 Pro setup can be found on Newegg for $999, and it’s a barebone system.
Specifications and Features
This mini PC supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM through its two SODIMM slots. Additionally, it includes two M.2 slots that can accommodate a total of 16TB of storage. Notably, one of these M.2 slots can hold a 2280 PCIe Gen 5×4 SSD, while the other is designed for a 2242 PCIe Gen 4×4 drive.
Focusing back on the processor, the Core Ultra 7 356H does not come with the performance-oriented Arc B390 iGPU. Instead, it is equipped with the Intel Graphics 4 Xe3, which delivers gaming performance similar to the AMD Radeon 760M.
Connectivity and Design
A highlight of this mini PC is its two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which allow for eGPU support (the Aoostar EG02 dock currently priced at $219 on Amazon). In addition to these two ports, the mini PC features the following configuration:
On top of that, the NUC 16 Pro has a toolless design that makes upgrading and maintenance easy. It also comes with a dual-fan cooling system and a compact size. For more details about the mini PC, be sure to check out our CES 2026 coverage on Newegg.
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