ASUS Unveils NUC 16 Pro With Intel Panther Lake And ExpertCenter PN55 With AMD Ryzen AI 400 Mini PCs

ASUS has officially expanded its next generation desktop portfolio with the introduction of its first Mini PCs powered by Intel Panther Lake and AMD Ryzen AI 400 processors. The new lineup includes the ASUS NUC 16 Pro and the ASUS ExpertCenter PN55, positioning ASUS among the earliest OEMs to bring both next wave AI focused mobile platforms into compact desktop form factors. Alongside these Mini PCs, ASUS also refreshed its V700 and V500 compact desktop families and introduced the new TUF Gaming TM500 gaming desktop, covering professional productivity, AI computing, and gaming audiences in one unified launch strategy.

ASUS NUC 16 Pro Powered by Intel Panther Lake

Intel Panther Lake makes its Mini PC debut through the ASUS NUC 16 Pro. The system is configured up to the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H, featuring 16 cores with boost clocks reaching 5.1GHz, 18MB cache, a 50 TOPS NPU, and integrated Arc B390 graphics with 12 Xe3 cores. ASUS rates the full platform at up to 180 TOPS of combined AI performance, underscoring its positioning for edge AI workloads, content creation, and next generation productivity applications.

The NUC 16 Pro integrates embedded LPDDR5x memory with data rates up to 9600MT per second, delivering up to 20 percent higher performance while reducing power consumption by approximately 50 percent compared to previous solutions. Storage support includes dual PCIe Gen4 SSD slots, offering flexibility for high speed local storage expansion.

Physically, the system is housed in an ultra compact 0.7 liter chassis measuring 144 by 117 by 42 millimeters. ASUS equips the unit with a dual fan cooling system and a tool less 2.0 chassis design for simplified upgrades. Connectivity is extensive, featuring dual USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen2x2 port, two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C ports, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 or dual DisplayPort outputs, and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports. Wireless connectivity includes WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 support, enabling quad 4K display output in a highly compact footprint.

ASUS ExpertCenter PN55 With AMD Ryzen AI 400

AMD anchors the second Mini PC announcement with the ExpertCenter PN55, powered by the Ryzen AI 400 series. Configurations scale up to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, delivering 12 Zen 5 CPU cores, a 55 TOPS NPU, and Radeon 890M integrated graphics with 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units. This platform targets enterprise AI workloads, Copilot Plus experiences, and multi display professional environments.

Memory support reaches up to 96GB of DDR5 running at 5600MT per second, offering substantial headroom for virtual machines, AI inference, and data heavy workflows. The PN55 supports quad 4K displays and ships with Windows 11 Pro with Copilot Plus integration, aligning with Microsofts AI PC direction.

Front panel IO includes a fingerprint reader, audio jack, dedicated Copilot key, power button, dual USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C port. Rear connectivity expands with two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, one HDMI 2.1 port, USB 2.0 Type A, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A, a USB4 Type C port, DC in, and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports. Wireless connectivity includes WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, while the chassis meets MIL STD 810H durability standards.

ASUS V700 and V500 Compact Desktop Refresh

Beyond Mini PCs, ASUS also refreshed its compact desktop offerings. The V700 Mini Tower VM701MG features up to the Ryzen AI 7 445 processor with 50 TOPS of AI performance, support for up to 64GB DDR5 5600 memory, storage configurations up to 2TB HDD plus 1TB SSD, and optional discrete graphics up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060. ASUS emphasizes reliability through 100 percent solid capacitor motherboards, 80 Plus Platinum power delivery, and enterprise grade validation. A distinctive dark wood inspired exterior targets home office and creator environments.

The V500 series focuses on refreshed Intel Raptor Lake Refresh and AMD Hawk Point platforms. Configurations scale up to Core i7 processors, 64GB DDR5 5600 memory, dual 2TB HDD and SSD storage, and graphics support up to GeForce RTX 4060. Cooling is handled by a large 90mm fan paired with three 6mm and one 8mm heatpipes, delivering a total heat dissipation area of 3402 square centimeters. The V500 chassis adopts a Grey Weave aesthetic and continues ASUSs emphasis on durability and professional security.

ASUS TUF Gaming TM500 Desktop

ASUS also addressed gamers with the TUF Gaming TM500 desktop. The system is configurable up to a Ryzen 7 260 processor with 8 Zen 4 cores and boost clocks reaching 5.1GHz. Memory support extends to 64GB DDR5 5600, paired with 1TB SSD storage and expansion via a second M.2 slot and additional HDD bays.

Graphics options include discrete GPUs up to the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and Radeon RX 9060 XT with 16GB of memory. The standard power supply is rated at 330W, with upgrade options up to a 660W 80 Plus Platinum unit. Cooling is engineered for up to 45W TDP using an advanced heatpipe design and a single fan configuration, prioritizing low noise operation while maintaining thermal stability.

All newly announced desktops leverage mobile class processors in Mobile on Desktop designs, combining efficient power envelopes with desktop expandability. ASUS plans to offer the V700 in Dark Wood and the V500 in Grey Weave finishes, reinforcing design differentiation across its expanding AI PC portfolio.

Which of these ASUS systems best fits your workflow or gaming setup, and do you see AI focused Mini PCs replacing traditional desktops in your daily use?