Intel will be rolling out their next-generation NUC (next unit of computing) compact desktops between 2016-2017. New leaked roadmaps and slides reveal that the NUCs based on the company’s higher-performance 7th generation Core processors could be named “Baby Canyon” and the ones based on its lower-power Celeron processors could be codenamed “Arches Canyon”. Intel will be launching five “Baby Canyon” NUCs under the NUC7 Series and two models under the NUC6C Series.
Intel’s “Baby Canyon” or NUC7 Series will be powered by 14nm Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 “Kaby Lake” dual-core processors which support dual-channel DDR4 SO-DIMMs. These NUCs will have a very unique USB Type-C connector that routes 10 Gb/s USB 3.1, 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3, and DisplayPort 1.2. The second USB 3.1 port is a front-facing port that is Type-A. You also get two more USB 3.0 ports on the back, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI.
“Arches Canyon” or the NUC6C series is more focused on legacy connectivity and features an analog VGA port, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, and a pair of USB 3.1 ports. The NUC6C series could be launched within 2016 with the NUC7 Series launching sometime in 2017.