A Closer Look - outside

The Intel NUC's dimensions are very compact. The materials utilized in its housing are plastic, metal, and aluminum. The DC3217IYE is all black, but other versions have a red top, for example.


The front only has a USB 2.0 connector. Intel already announced new NUC units with USB 3.0 and Haswell architecture at Computex this year. Regardless, the DC3217IYE remains a viable option as a system with a small form factor. There are two more USB 2.0 connectors, a pair of HDMI outs, and a single Gigabit Ethernet connector in the rear. There is no wireless connectivity out of the box, but you may, as we will see later on, install a mini-PCIe card.


The underside is made of metal that has been painted black to go with the rest of the device. Four screws hold everything in place and rubber rings act as feet. These also dampen vibrations nicely. This is also where you will find the label with a bunch of certification logos and the serial number of the NUC.


There is only a single button on the Intel DC3217IYE NUC. This power button also acts as a status LED; it, for example, lets you know whether the unit is turned on or in standby mode.