Intel updates tiny PC barebones kit with processor, faster graphics and more ports. THE FIRST Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) machines made a good impression last year thanks to tiny motherboards, embedded processors and a thriving enthusiast community, but the systems were hampered by poor performance and a confusing selection of boards and kits.

This year's Intel NUC Kit addresses both of these issues. Under the bonnet is an Intel Haswell processor with an updated integrated graphics core, and Intel has configured this mainboard with better ports and sockets than the inconsistent selections on the older PCBs.