Intel’s 13th-gen mobile processors may be designed for laptops, but they’re also a good fit for small desktop computers that may not have enough space to dissipate the heat generated by a desktop-class processor. And PC makers are already beginning to unveil some of the first mini PCs powered by 13th-gen Intel Core “Raptor Lake” chips.
The ASROCK NUC-BOX 1300 and NUCS-BOX 1300 series systems are compact PCs with support for up to an Intel Core i7-1360P 12-core, 16-thread processor and up to 64GB of RAM.
For the most part the two systems are pretty similar, but the NUC-BOX features a taller 1.9 inch chassis and a glossy lid while the NUCS-BOX is a bit shorter at about 1.5 inches, and has a matte black lid.
Both systems have M.2 2280 slots for PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD storage, but the taller model also supports a 2.5 inch SATA 3 drive. There are also some differences in the port selection.
Here’s a run-down of some key specs for the NUC/S BOX-1300 series:
| NUCS BOX-1300/D4 | NUC BOX-1300/D4 | NUC BOX-1300/D5 | |
| Dimensions | 110 x 117.5 x 38mm 4.6″ x 4.3″ x 1.5″ | 110 x 117.5 x 47.9mm 4.6″ x 4.3″ x 1.9″ | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1360P Intel Core i5-1340P | ||
| RAM | Up to 64GB 2 x 260-pin SODIMM DDR4-3200 | Up to 64GB 2 x 262-pin SODIMM DDR5-4800 | |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 2242/2280 slot (PCIe Gen 4 x4) | 1 x M.2 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe Gen 4 x4 slot) 1 x SATA 3.0 | |
| Ports (front) | 1 x USB4 (DisplayPort 1.4a) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort 1.4a) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio | 1 x USB4 (DisplayPort 1.4a) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort 1.4a) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio | 1 x USB4 (DisplayPort 2.1) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort 1.4a) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x 3.5mm audio |
| Ports (rear) | 2 x HDMI 2.0b 1 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x DC power input | 1 x HDMI 2.0b 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a 2 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x DC power input | |
| Wireless | WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 | ||
| Audio | Realtek ALC233 | Realtek ALC256 | |
Each model has a plastic chassis with metal sheeting and the computers weigh around 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) or less. They can easily be mounted to a wall, desk, or display with a VESA mount.
The little computers all feature Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics and enough video outputs to support up to four displays. And each comes with a 19V/90W power supply.
via CNX Software and ASROCK