Design and Build

The NUC 16 Pro uses a black chassis that measures 144 x 117 x 42 mm. It is larger than the older 4 x 4-inch NUC format, yet it still takes up very little desk space and can easily be mounted behind a display. The top has a brushed appearance with a small NUC emblem, while the front keeps the design simple with an ASUS logo, three USB ports, and the power button.

ASUS places the high-use USB connections on the front, including two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, all rated for 10 Gbps, though another USB port on the front panel would have been nice. Moreover, there is no 3.5 mm audio jack or card reader, so headphones, speakers, and removable media may require USB or Bluetooth accessories.


Both side panels are heavily vented, with two rows of openings feeding the internal cooling hardware. The left side also has a Kensington lock slot, which is useful in offices, classrooms, kiosks, and public installations. Four rubber feet provide clearance under the base and keep the PC stable on a desk.


The rear panel has a lot more to it, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI outputs, two USB-A ports, and dual 2.5 GbE for a wide mix of desktop and network connections. That selection works especially well for multi-monitor workstations, lab setups, network appliances, and office deployments that would otherwise need a dock. A locking feature beside the DC input also helps keep the external power cable secured.