Is there a better alternative?

The NUC has few direct competitors. Kit PCs aren’t the most popular category. Even small desktops are rare.

　　Apple’s Mac Mini is one possible alternative. You can’t easily customize or upgrade it, and it’s not as small, but it does provide faster processor options and it’s far more intuitive. Intel’s own Hades Canyon NUC is another alternative, since it offers a slightly faster processor and an AMD graphics chip. It’s much more expensive however, with most retailers selling it for at least $750. The faster model, which we reviewed, is often around $1,000.

　　You might also compare it with mid-size desktops like the Dell Inspiron and HP Pavilion line. These often offer the same performance at a slightly lower price, but the discount isn’t significant. Keep in mind, though, that affordable desktops sometimes offer a graphics card option. That’s important if you have any plans to game.

　　

How long will it last?

The Intel NUC’s RAM and hard drive can be upgraded, so you can tweak it if you need most storage of memory in the future. You can’t change the processor, however. We think it’ll offer at least five years of service but may start to show its age towards the end of that.

　　A one-year warranty is included with the Intel NUC. That’s standard for the category.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you’re comfortable with installing your own RAM and hard drive. The NUC does its job well, but it fits a small niche, and its small size does compromise its potential performance. Still, if you want a small and inexpensive PC, it’s hard to go wrong with a NUC.