Simply NUC’s new Topaz 2 is the first compact desktop computer that packs a 12th-gen Intel Core “Alder Lake” processor into a chassis measuring just 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 1.9″.
Available with a choice of Intel Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1240P, or Core i7-1260P processors, the Topaz 2 is up for pre-order now, with an expected ship date of July, 2022.
Prices start at $599 for a Core i3 model, $699 for a version with an Intel Core i5 chip, or $849 for a Core i7 configuration.
Each of those prices is for a mini PC with 4GB of memory, 256GB of storage, and no operating system, but the computers support up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and has two M.2 2280 slots, one of which supports PCIe x4 Gen 4 NVMe or SATA SSDs, while the other only supports SATA storage.
Simply NUC will also load Ubuntu on a Topaz 2 for free, or you can pay extra for a Windows license.
Other features include:
- 2 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports
- 1 x HDMI 2.0b port
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
- 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
- WiFi 6
- Bluetooth 5.1
The lid is also replaceable, and Simply NUC offers custom lid options that add USB, Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, RS-232 or other ports, among other things.
It’s likely that we’ll see other mini PCs with Intel Alder Lake processors in the coming months. Intel’s Wall Street Canyon NUC, for example, is expected to support up to an Intel Core i7-1270P chip, but we only know about that because details leaked earlier this year. Intel hasn’t officially confirmed plans to release that model yet.
These are overpriced, even with the small memory amount and small SSD, as most computers from SimplyNUC are.
I looked at them last year when looking to buy NUC type devices. All were expensive, and the “preorder” dates kept slipping. I remember the Intels NUC11s went on preorder in March and it was June and they were still listed that way. They weren’t even expected to ship for another 45-60 days. And with the limited quantities they were expected to get, they were working a queue for people who had already preordered and paid. So it could have been a very long time until I actually would have received them.
I ended up ordering Gigabyte Brix equivalent of the i7 NUC 11s from the UK. Ordering required email contact and payment thru Paypal, but the ordering process was very quick and easy. I emailed my order, they sent me a Paypay invoice, and I paid and notified them of the payment. They had the order packed and shipped it UPS the next day (including the US power adapters) – which was a Thursday. It cleared customs en route. I live on the east coast, and had it that Monday, which was faster than ground shipping from the west coast.
Price was much cheaper, even with the exchange rate (use your CC’s rate as Paypal’s is awful), and there was no UK tax. Everything worked great.
I’d buy from them again. These NUCs (both Intel and other brands) tend to hit Europe first. So if you can find a good price from a reputable UK/EU dealer and they’ll ship to the US, don’t be afraid to give them a try.
That was my experience anyway. As always, YMMV.