In a world consumed with the need for mobile IT solutions, few spare a thought for the sit-down worker who can also benefit from the latest technology. Small form factor computing is driving the next wave of innovation for the desktop PC. The Intel® NUC is a great example of such a solution.

The NUC has a plethora of usage models. If you can imagine it, you can do it. This pint-sized powerhouse is perfect for digital signage, thin client, business lobby PC or just plain PC replacement. The uses are endless. The hard part isn’t finding a use for the Intel® NUC – it’s having to choose just one. And now Intel has launched the new 5th gen Core i3 and i5 processor based NUCs. Even an i7 version is targeted for early Q2. They come in a variety of form factors to accommodate mSATA or M.2 SSDs and 2.5” hard drives.

Let’s take a closer look at the latest NUC. The approximately 4x4x2 inch Intel® NUC NUC5i5RYH takes the powerful capabilities of a desktop system and packages it into a computer that fits in the palm of your hand. This fully scalable system comes with the latest 5th generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and integrated Intel® HD Graphics 6000 with 4K display support. With Intel® WiDi you can connect your monitor without any additional cables and Bluetooth lets you place wireless speakers where you want—all the features you want in a space-saving design. With 802.11ac wireless not even a network cable is required on your desk. This is a great computing solution for tight areas or to help maintain a clutter-free desk, perfect for receptionists, call center cubicles and more. There’s also a high-speed USB 3.0 port for quickly charging your tablet or smartphone. And for peace of mind you’ll get embedded security that helps keep threats out, user identities and credentials safe, and your data protected. Simply put, no sacrifices have to be made with this small form factor sensation.

The NUC is considerably customizable, so it can fit into nearly any environment, for use in almost any application. In fact we’ll see various vendors use the NUC as a building block for vertical computing solutions such as digital kiosks, digital signage with analytics, and video surveillance equipment. NUC technology is available through the PC ecosystem at various levels of integration with even the chassis being fully customizable with replacement lids. For more information, check out all that the NUC has to offer at http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/overview.html.