Intel’s tiny prototype computer will fit in your hand, run Quake

You thought a $35, palm-sized computer was pretty good? Take a look at Intel’s response to the Raspberry Pi: a palm-sized computer running its own Sandy Bridge processor.

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Extremetech has a nice overview of Intel’s compact computing platform, called the Intel Next Unit of Computing, or NUC for short, and we’ve got a gallery of photos below, courtesy SWEClockers.com, a Swedish overclockers’ site.

Although we haven’t seen any proof of this yet, it’s a good bet that this computer, with a Core i3/i5 slot, will be able to run Quake. Yes, the Ivy Bridge processor family that Intel unveiled last week will have more powerful integrated graphics processing, but compared to the Raspberry Pi’s 700MHz ARM processor, Intel’s offering will be like a racecar next to a recumbent bicycle.

Intel’s platform is just a prototype at this point, whereas the Raspberry Pi is shipping now (finally). But let’s just compare the two platforms, shall we?

		Raspberry Pi	Intel NUC
	Processor	700MHz Broadcom ARM	Almost any Core i3/i5
	RAM	256MB	Unknown
	Size	8.6cm x 5.4cm	10cm x 10cm
	Ports	Ethernet, HDMI, USB 2.0, audio	Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB 3.0
	SD Card slot	Yes	No
	OS	Linux	Unknown
	Price	$35	$100 (estimate)
	Availability	Now	Unknown

Intel’s NUC is meant for use in kiosks and digital signage, but we can already hear the sound of enthusiasts rubbing their hands over the many other uses for a tiny, powerful computer like this: set-top boxes, home media servers, car stereo computing system, Barbie dollhouse-sized server racks, surveillance systems, robots, UAVs, and more.

Do we want one? Is Steve Wozniak a geek?

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Via Extremetech

Photos courtesy of SWEClockers.com

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