Intel NUC

[skaertus]

I am thinking of buying an Intel NUC. I want a new desktop computer (as I currently have none), but I don't want something big on my desk. I already have the display and the keyboard and the mouse.

I currently use a 15-inch MacBook Pro with retina display, with an Ivy Bridge Core i7 2.4 GHz processor, 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. I connect the Mac to the external monitor and I run both OS X Yosemite and Windows 8.1 (on BootCamp or Parallels).

I mainly use the computer to browse the web, and office and academic applications. I don't play games or edit photos or videos. However, I expect good performance and zippiness in general tasks.

Would an Intel NUC suit my needs?

 

[gmaster456]

I don't see why it wouldn't. Keep in mind thought that the NUC is just a kit and not a complete package. You will still need RAM, an OS and an SSD. So you're looking at an additional $200 depending on what you go with to get the thing functional.

Something like this is more expensive but provides a complete package and boasts much better specs.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktop...ries-tiny/m53/

I've actually considered getting one myself.

 

[Blackjack200]

PS/2 ports? Seriously?

 

[ultimatebob]

PS/2 ports? Seriously?

I'll bet that a bunch of IBM people still working at Lenovo are still clinging onto their Model M PS/2 port keyboards for dear life

 

[skaertus]

I don't see why it wouldn't. Keep in mind thought that the NUC is just a kit and not a complete package. You will still need RAM, an OS and an SSD. So you're looking at an additional $200 depending on what you go with to get the thing functional.

Something like this is more expensive but provides a complete package and boasts much better specs.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktop...ries-tiny/m53/

I've actually considered getting one myself.

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I forgot to mention that I don't live in the U.S. I live in Brazil and these options are not available here.

I can find an Intel NUC equipped with RAM and storage, and I will buy a Windows license.

I would just like to know whether the processor would be enough for what I do.

 

[gmaster456]

For light usage it will be fine. Heavy multitasking will cause it to choke but for MS Office and light browsing I don't foresee any issues. Keep expectations in check and it will be just fine.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, I forgot to mention that I don't live in the U.S. I live in Brazil and these options are not available here.

I can find an Intel NUC equipped with RAM and storage, and I will buy a Windows license.

I would just like to know whether the processor would be enough for what I do.

It depends which NUC you buy. They range in capabiility from "as good as or better than your Macbook" all the way down to "poop toast."

Just make sure you get an i3 model or better. (i5 or i7.) The Pentium/Celeron models sometimes use Atom-derived CPUs that are better left untouched.

 

[gmaster456]

^^^ What this user said.

I had assumed the OP was talking about the cheaper Pentium/Celeron models. Why I don't know.

The i3, i5 and i7 models are more than adequate for what you're asking.

 

[RossMAN]

If you have a friend in the USA that can order/ship for you, here's a deal worth considering but it will probably go out of stock soon.

Processor:
Intel® Core™ i5-4570T Processor (2 cores / 4 threads, 2.9GHz, 4MB cache)
Operating system:
Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
Display:
None - Desktop
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 4600
Memory:
8GB (2 X 4GB) PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz SDRAM SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive:
128GB SATA 2.5" Solid State Drive
Optical Drive:
No Optical Included