Intel is quitting on its adorable, powerful, and upgradable mini NUC computers

theverge.com:

By Umar Shakir, a news writer fond of the electric vehicle lifestyle and things that plug in via USB-C. He spent over 15 years in IT support before joining The Verge.

Intel’s NUC computers are super compact, upgradable, and even powerful — but now, they’re being discontinued. ServeTheHome first reported that Intel is giving up on the personal computer business and will no longer be making its cute small form factor PCs.

In an email to The Verge, Intel’s EMEA comms manager of client computing and graphics, Mark Walton, confirmed the news and issued the following statement:

We have decided to stop direct investment in the Next Unit of Compute (NUC) Business and pivot our strategy to enable our ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth. This decision will not impact the remainder of Intel’s Client Computing Group (CCG) or Network and Edge Computing (NEX) businesses. Furthermore, we are working with our partners and customers to ensure a smooth transition and fulfillment of all our current commitments – including ongoing support for NUC products currently in market. 

We asked Intel if this means the company will no longer manufacture PCs designed for consumers but have not heard back. NUC’s end comes after the company announced it will no longer sell servers, handing the business off to Taiwanese company Mitac in April.

While it made little sense for Intel to package up and sell servers that go head-to-head with bigger fish like HP and Dell, it’s sad to see the company also give up on mini-PCs. Intel’s NUC was basically the company’s gift to IT departments and enthusiasts who wanted small, quiet, and powerful drop-in computers. NUCs could be preconfigured for business-y office use cases or even come