Over the last few months, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has generated quite a few headlines thanks to its diminutive single-board computer Raspberry Pi. However, it looks like Intel is keen to grab some of the attention for its own tiny offering. This week, Intel is showing off something it likes to call 'NUC' or Next Unit Computing.
The platform measures just 4x4 inches, which is not quite as small as Raspberry Pi, but still noticeably smaller than a 6.7- x 6.7-inch mini-ITX system and similar in size to the Pico-ITX from VIA. It boasts an Intel Core family processor socket (Core i3/i5), two RAM SO-DIMM slots, two mini PCIe slots, support for HDMI, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The platform is intended for use in signs and kiosks but we're betting it'll show up elsewhere, too.
Of course, the biggest attraction with Raspberry Pi is its $35 price tag, and though Intel hasn't mentioned much about pricing for the NUC, we're going to go out on a limb and assume it won't be as cheap and cheerful as Raspberry Pi. Then again, as ExtremeTech points out, the NUC has Raspberry Pi beat when it comes to processing power, even if it is more expensive and slightly chunkier, and it can also run Windows 7.
ET cites Fred Birang, senior product marketing engineer at Intel, as saying NUC is set for release in the second half of this year so well keep you posted on this one and update when we know more.
Follow @JaneMcEntegart on Twitter.
Image via ExtremeTech
