The ASUS NUC 16 Pro, first announced at CES in January, is now available for purchase with Intel's latest Core Ultra (Series 3) Panther Lake processors. The mini PC measures 14.4 x 11.7 x 4.2 cm (5.7 x 4.6 x 1.7 inches) and promises desktop-class performance with integrated Intel Arc graphics and AI capabilities reaching up to 180 TOPS on the top configuration.
Currently, US buyers can only purchase a barebones model with the Core Ultra 7 356H processor for $1,000 (€920). That 16-core chip features 4 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, 4 low-power cores, and a 4-core Intel Arc GPU clocked at up to 4.7 GHz. The barebones unit ships without RAM or storage but supports up to 128GB via two CSO-DIMM slots and includes dual M.2 2280 slots (one PCIe 5.0 x4, one PCIe 4.0 x4). For Linux users, ASUS officially supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 on the NUC 16 Pro. Intel's Panther Lake processors arrive with solid mainline kernel support already in place, and early testing shows the Arc B390 GPU performing well on the open-source Intel driver stack for both graphics and compute workloads. Meanwhile, customers in China can already buy a fully configured model with the Core Ultra X7 358H, 32GB RAM, and 1TB storage for 10,999 CNY ($1,520, €1,397).
The flagship configuration with the Core Ultra X9 388H remains unavailable in both markets. That top-tier chip packs a 12-core Intel Arc B390 GPU capable of rivaling entry-level discrete graphics cards, making it particularly interesting for compact gaming and creative workstations. All models support WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, dual 2.5 GbE LAN ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one USB-C port, and up to four displays via dual HDMI or DisplayPort 2.1 outputs.
The toolless chassis design allows easy access to internal components for upgrades, though higher-end configurations shipping with LPDDR5x-8533 memory won't offer user-replaceable RAM. The barebones model's support for standard CSO-DIMM memory gives it an upgrade advantage over the soldered memory approach used in premium Panther Lake configurations.
