Looking for an alternative to the Intel NUC?

NUC Benefits vs Desktops/Laptops

Our more industrial, rather than consumer-focused small form factors are typically geared towards specialized use cases and environments so can frequently offer more durability, customization and connectivity than Intel NUCs which were aimed at more general-purpose computing. Here are some potential advantages:

Robustness and Durability: Industrial small form factor solutions are designed to withstand harsh environments and demanding conditions. They often feature ruggedized enclosures, enhanced cooling systems, and are built to meet industry standards for shock, vibration, and temperature resistance. This makes them suitable for industrial applications that require reliable operation in challenging settings.

Expanded Connectivity: Industrial solutions often provide a wider range of connectivity options compared to consumer-focused devices. They may offer additional serial ports, GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output), industrial protocols, or specialized interfaces that are commonly used in industrial automation, IoT deployments, or machine control systems.

Reduced costs: Not only in purchasing and deployment costs, but also long-term use. NUCs use significantly less electricity.

Saved space and reduced maintenance: NUCs are typically much smaller than laptops and desktops, making them a great option for smaller working spaces or industrial environments. A smaller product with fewer parts also means reduced maintenance.

Long-Term Availability: Industrial hardware tends to have longer availability and support lifecycles compared to consumer devices. This is crucial for industrial applications that require stable and consistent hardware over extended periods. The longer availability ensures that replacement parts and system continuity can be maintained without disruption.

Customization and Expandability: Industrial solutions often offer more options for customization and expansion based on specific application requirements. They may have expansion slots, additional storage bays, or support for specialized add-on cards, allowing for greater flexibility in tailoring the system to unique needs.

Enhanced Security and Reliability Features: Industrial small form factor solutions often include additional security and reliability features, such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) for hardware-based encryption, watchdog timers for system monitoring and recovery, and ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory for enhanced data integrity. These features are valuable in industrial settings where data security and system reliability are critical.

If you need advice or help in choosing alternatives for your embedded project, then get in touch with our team now so we can help.