Asus Formally Completes Acquisition of Intel's NUC Business
by Anton Shilov on October 2, 2023 2:15 PM EST
ASUS has formally acquired Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) products based on Intel's 10th to 13th Generation Core processors. Asus is set to continue building and supporting Intel's existing NUCs and will, over time, roll out its own compact NUC systems for office, entertainment, gaming, and many other applications.
"I am confident that this collaboration will enhance and accelerate our vision for the mini PC," said Jackie Hsu, Asus senior vice president and co-head of OP & AIoT business groups, at the signing ceremony. "Adding the Intel NUC product line to our portfolio will extend ASUS's AI and IoT R&D capabilities and technology solutions, especially in three key markets – industrial, commercial, and prosumer."
Asus held a formal handover ceremony in Taipei and took control of the NUC product lines that span from business applications to gaming. With the acquisition, Asus instantly commenced business processes for the NUC range, ensuring a hassle-free transition for existing customers. Under the terms of the agreement, Asus obtained licenses for both Intel's hardware designs and software. This move widens Asus's operational scope in R&D and extends its reach in logistics, tech support, and numerous application areas.
Asus envisions broadening its NUC product line and distribution channels. The focus will remain on offering high-quality compact PCs with robust security and advanced technologies, which NUC is known for. ASUS also aims to produce eco-friendly NUC products while emphasizing impeccable service for its customer base.
"This is an exciting time for both Intel and Asus as we move forward with the next chapter in NUC's story," said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel, who also attended the event. "Today's signing ceremony signifies more than just a business deal. It signifies ASUS' dedication to enhancing the lives of NUC customers and partners around the world. I look forward to seeing NUC thrive as part of the ASUS family."
It should be noted that Asus's Intel NUC license is not exclusive, so Intel may eventually enable other PC makers to build its NUCs. Though at this point, Asus remains the only licensee.
Source: Asus
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meacupla - Monday, October 2, 2023 - link
Last sentence. "Apple"?Holliday75 - Monday, October 2, 2023 - link
Yeah I feel like that needs a little bit more of an explanation.PeachNCream - Monday, October 2, 2023 - link
Literally every Anton article has nonsense like that in it. Just treat it like a movie that's so bad its unintentionally funny and things will be better.Threska - Monday, October 2, 2023 - link
Only if you like assumptions in your cereal.wr3zzz - Monday, October 2, 2023 - link
"Asus obtained licenses for both Intel's hardware designs and software""It should be noted that Asus's Intel NUC license is not exclusive, so Intel may eventually enable other PC makers to build its NUCs. Though at this point, Asus remains the only licensee."
These two conflicting statements need clarification. You either own the license or is a licensee. The first statement says Asus now owns the NUC hardware and software licenses but the second statement says intel can still license NUC to others.
FWhitTrampoline - Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - link
Acquisition is not the correct wording here to properly convey the meaning as IP Licensing Agreement is what this is and not any IP Acquisition as wasy stated in the Intel provided official news copy. And thise Licensing to ASUS of the Intel NUC Reference designs and NUC Branding rights is Non Exclusive and this headline needs to be updated to reflect reality.Ryan Smith - Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - link
To clarify, Asus has acquired Intel's NUC business, but in an odd business choice from Intel, not the NUC designs. Rather, Asus is only a licensee of the existing NUC designs.As a result of acquiring the business, Asus is now responsible for providing support for NUCs previously sold by Intel. But Asus's right to build additional NUC units using Intel's design is under non-exclusive license; it's not part of the acquisition. So Intel could license out their designs to other companies if they wished to do so. Though it would be very unlikely.
The end result is that Asus is the new de jure face of the NUC business. But they may not be the only company providing new units based on Intel's designs.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/n...
It's kind of wacky. But that's what Intel wanted.
wr3zzz - Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - link
So simply speaking what Asus has acquired is the "operational business" of NUC. The article should state it clearly because this kind of transactions is pretty common in M&A. GE, Philips, Toshiba just name a few had sold their consumer electronics businesses in some form or the other as operational concerns. However, to ensure "continuous operation" the seller would also need to include the usage of original branding, usually a fixed number of years with options afterward. Other IP are separate negotiations and if not disclosed are not included in the sale. This article made it very confusing by not following business reporting standards.