Intel’s NUC 12 Pro is the king of tiny computers if you need to maximize your workspace.
About the Intel NUC 12 Pro
Here are the specs of the desktop we tested:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1260P
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
- Wireless connectivity: 3x USB 3.2 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort Alternate Mode, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x Ethernet
- Wired connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Size: 4.6 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
The Intel NUC 12 Pro’s internals are based on Intel’s laptop hardware. It offers Intel’s mobile Core P-Series processors and uses compact DDR4 memory. Despite this, its connectivity and storage support is robust for its compact size and similar to most budget tower desktops.
The Intel NUC 12 Pro model I reviewed was priced at $1,214 through SimplyNUC, a North American distributor of NUC hardware. Less expensive models are available for as little as $750, though the entry-level model has a Core i5 processor, just 4GB of RAM, and a 256GB solid state drive.
Intel also sells the NUC 12 Pro as a kit computer that lacks RAM, hard drive, and operating system.
What we like
It’s so, so small
Credit:
Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith
The inside of the Intel NUC 12 Pro.
Desktop computers don’t get much smaller than the Intel NUC 12 Pro. It measures about 4.5 inches wide and deep, and only 1.5 inches thick. This is much smaller than most small desktop computers. Apple’s Mac Mini, by comparison, is nearly three inches larger in width and depth. (They’re about equal in thickness). A desktop this small is a niche. Most people simply don’t need a system this compact. When size matters, however, the NUC 12 Pro can’t be beat.
The NUC 12 Pro’s dimensions make it easy to place on, under, or inside a desk. The full NUC 12 Pro retail package (which is the model I tested) comes with a VESA mount for attachment to displays, display stands, and other accessories that support VESA mounting. This is most useful for business customers looking to permanently place the NUC 12 Pro out of sight but may come in handy for a super-sleek home office setup.
Its size and external power supply make the NUC 12 Pro portable. It’s not a laptop replacement, of course; a monitor, keyboard, and mouse are required. However, the NUC 12 Pro could be a good choice if you’re frequently away from home and want the comfort of a desktop in your hotel or rental. A NUC 12 Pro with a keyboard, mouse, and portable monitor can easily fit in luggage.
Good processor performance in a small package
Small computers often sacrifice performance, but the Intel NUC 12 Pro bucks that trend. It delivers results in line with premium portable laptops and can defeat some budget mid-tower desktops.
The NUC 12 Pro I tested had Intel’s Core i7-1260P processor, which is the most powerful available in the Intel NUC 12 Pro. It has four performance cores and eight efficient cores for a total of 12 cores and 16 processor threads.
Processor performance doesn’t disappoint. The Intel NUC 12 Pro achieved a Geekbench 5 single-core score of 1688 and a multi-core score of 9676. This places the NUC 12 Pro near, or above, the performance of premium laptops like the Dell XPS 13 Plus and Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED. The NUC 12 Pro also holds up well against a mid-range Dell XPS Desktop, which hit a single-core score of 1595 and a multi-core score of 10353.
The NUC 12 Pro also did well in Cinebench R23, where it reached a multi-core score of 10545. This easily defeats the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which scored 7015 in its standard performance profile. The Dell XPS Desktop is much quicker with a score of 16554, but the NUC 12 Pro trades blows in other budget and mid-range desktops like the Acer Aspire TC-1760, which scored 10836.
Storage performance is also strong. The Intel NUC 12 Pro achieves an impressive storage read speed of 4866 megabytes per second in CrystalDiskMark, easily beating other premium laptops tested this year. That’s good news if you often work with, open, or transfer large files.
It’s packed with connectivity
Intel packs the NUC 12 Pro with a broad range of future-proof and practical connectivity options despite its small size. This includes three USB-A 3.2 ports, great for wired peripherals like keyboards, mice, and webcams, alongside two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 ports.
The Thunderbolt ports include DisplayPort Alternate Mode, meaning both can work as video connections when connected to a monitor with a Thunderbolt or USB-C port. Alternatively, you can connect to other displays through a USB-C to DisplayPort or USB-C to HDMI adapter.
That may not be necessary, however, as the NUC 12 Pro also includes two HDMI 2.0 ports. A 3.5mm headphone jack, located up front, rounds out wired connection options.
Wireless connectivity includes the Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. Most people likely don’t own a Wi-Fi 6E router or Bluetooth 5.2 devices, as they’re relatively new. Still, it’s great to see these standards included as they prepare the desktop for future upgrades to your Wi-Fi network and wireless devices.
What we don’t like
Graphics performance isn’t great
Credit:
Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith
For reference, it can fit in the palm of a hand.
Graphics performance is the Intel NUC 12 Pro’s big weakness and could be the deciding factor for many potential buyers. Every Intel NUC 12 Pro relies on Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics.
To be fair, the NUC 12 Pro performs well for a system relying on integrated graphics. It achieved a 3DMark Night Raid score of 17145. That beats the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which scored 14069. 3DMark Fire Strike turned in a score of 4440 which, once again, is a good result for the hardware. That’s much better than the Acer Aspire TC-1760, which only scored 1895.
Yet these results fall far short of desktops with an entry-level graphics card, and they’re not adequate to play modestly demanding games. The MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, which is over a decade old, can dip below 30 frames per second (fps) at 1080p resolution and High detail settings. Shadow of the Tomb Raider performed like a slideshow at 1080p and Highest settings, averaging just 18 fps.
Those who want better graphics performance, whether for games or productivity, can plug in external graphics via one of the NUC 12 Pro’s Thunderbolt 4 ports. This should deliver good results if paired with a mid-range graphics card like the AMD Radeon RX 6600XT or Nvidia RTX 3060. Setting up a dock can be a hassle, though, and adds technical complexity when making a GPU selection. Many high-end graphics cards work poorly in this situation.
Upgrades are possible, but not for everyone
The Intel NUC 12 Pro, like most NUC computers, is remarkably easy to repair and upgrade for its size. Just remove four screws at the base, pop off the plastic lid with a soft tool, and you’re inside. Components that aren’t soldered to the board can be replaced, like the RAM, storage, and wireless adapter.
Yet there’s no way around the NUC 12 Pro’s dimensions. It’s small and unconventional, which can make it intimidating for owners inexperienced with repairing computers. The components feel quite durable, so they should prove forgiving to minor mistakes, but owners have to know what they’re doing. The NUC’s size means some components that would fit in a typical tower desktop won’t fit here. One example? Many top-tier SSDs now ship with heatsinks that might not fit in the NUC 12 Pro.
Also, as mentioned, the processor can’t be upgraded. The same is true of the desktop’s integrated graphics (though you can add an external graphics dock). This will, in the long run, limit the desktop’s useful life.
It’s a bit hard to find (and can be expensive)
The Intel NUC I tested retails for $1,214 from SimplyNUC, the most accessible NUC distributor in North America. That’s a high price for a desktop with limited expansion options and no discrete graphics.
The NUC 12 Pro’s value holds up if judged by processor or storage performance alone. The Intel Core i7-1260P processor is strong, generally landing only a bit south of the Intel Core i5-12600F, which is common in budget and mid-range tower desktops. The NUC 12 Pro is a worthy tower alternative if processor performance is what you need, and its implementation of the Core i7-1260P typically outperforms the same process in laptop alternatives.
Many standard desktops in this price bracket add a discrete graphics card, however, and that’s where the NUC 12 Pro stumbles. A similarly priced desktop with an AMD Radeon RX 6600 or Nvidia RTX 3050 will smear the NUC 12 Pro in gaming or graphics-heavy productivity workloads.
It’s possible to save money with a NUC 12 Pro “barebone” kit, which lacks the hard drive, RAM, or Windows. These retail for as little as $575 through Newegg and eBay. The missing components and operating system must be installed after purchase. It’s a good value for DIY enthusiasts who already have some components or like to shop for deals.
Should you buy the Intel NUC 12 Pro?
Maybe, if you want a tiny desktop with great performance
Credit:
Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith
Fans of miniature desktops will sure love this one.
The Intel NUC 12 Pro is defined by size. It delivers excellent processor and storage performance—for its size. It packs amazing connectivity—for its size. And it’s surprisingly easy to open and repair—for its size. So, the question is this: do you want (or need) the smallest desktop computer possible?
If you do, the Intel NUC 12 Pro is king. It’s significantly smaller than Apple’s Mac Mini, yet has more connectivity options. It also compares well against Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M-Series, HP’s Z Mini, and Dell’s Precision Compact. Competitors are larger, a bit more expensive (for a given amount of RAM and storage), and have fewer ports.
If you don’t, the Intel NUC 12 Pro isn’t for you. Its processor performance is solid but nothing you can’t find in a less expensive tower PC. A tower PC can also offer a discrete graphics card, boosting graphics performance far beyond what the NUC 12 Pro can handle.
The Intel NUC 12 Pro is a niche desktop for a niche audience, and it fills that niche extremely well.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Meet the tester
Matthew S. Smith is a veteran tech journalist and general-purpose PC hardware nerd. Formerly the Lead Editor of Reviews at Digital Trends, he has over a decade of experience covering PC hardware. Matt often flies the virtual skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator and is on a quest to grow the perfect heirloom tomato.
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