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Have you experienced the Intel NUC yet?
NUC rhymes with “buck,” and it’s a full-powered mini-PC that could bring you some serious bucks.
The Intel NUC is part of the larger PC market — which, as I’m sure you know, is absolutely on fire. Market watcher Canalys says U.S. PC shipments in this year’s first quarter rose year-on-year by a record-breaking 73%, for a total of 34 million units.
This fire isn’t going out any time soon. Canalys predicts that U.S. PC shipments will keep growing over the next year, albeit at a more moderate 5.4%.
What’s driving all that demand? Short term, supply constraints. But those should end soon, helped in part by the Biden administration’s planned $50 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing.
Also boosting demand will be new post-pandemic “hybrid work” setups. That’s where employees work a few days a week from home, a few days in the office. Facebook, Apple and a few other companies have already mandated this for the fall.
One versatile mini-PC
The Intel NUC comes in whatever form your customers need. That could be a ready-to-run PC. A barebones kit for building your own. A NUC Board with soldered-in processor for creating custom applications. Or a NUC Element, a pluggable card that includes a processor, Wi-Fi and memory.
The Intel NUC also enjoys a full-fledged ecosystem of third-party products. These include cases, chassis, graphics cards, cables and cooling systems.
The Intel NUC Mini PC is indeed mini, measuring only about 4 x 4 inches. That makes this device ideal for use in the home, meeting rooms, classrooms, or (in the Rugged version) factory floors.
Yet Intel NUCs are also powerful. They’re equipped with the latest Intel processors, your choice of SSD or HDD storage, and a full range of ports — USB, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, Ethernet and microSD. And all that is backed up by Intel’s 24x7 support and 3-year warranty.
Collaborate with Unite
One business application for the Intel NUC is powering conference-room collaboration systems. That includes the Intel Unite solution.
The Intel Unite solution is an easy-to-use videoconferencing system. It can be used in an office meeting room, classroom, faculty room, or any other space dedicated to collaboration. Intel Unite uses wireless tech to connect to displays, or interactive “smart” whiteboards. Meeting participants, regardless of location, can share and edit content in real time.
You can bring things up a notch by powering Intel Unite with the Intel NUC Pro. This mini PC fully supports conference-room solutions such as Intel Unite solution. The Intel NUC Pro can pair with cameras to create a complete videoconferencing solution, power interactive displays for web conferencing and screen sharing, and supply a conference room with the functionality of a full-powered PC.
Train to gain
Both the Intel NUC Mini PC and Intel Unite solution are easy to use, but you can get even more from these systems with some training. And who better to get that training from than Intel?
Intel Partner University, the company’s training program for partners, offers deeper curriculum-based trainings known as Competencies for both NUC Mini PC and Intel Unite solution. Complete these trainings, and you’ll not only know how to serve your customers better, you can also earn a digital badge to promote your skills online.
The two Competencies are:
> NUC Mini PC Solutions: With these courses, you’ll learn the basics of Intel NUC product offerings and product add-ons. You’ll get a deep dive into the greater NUC ecosystem. And you’ll explore the breadth of solutions enabled by a small form-factor PC, including digital signage, kiosks, rugged environments, collaboration spaces, gaming and creating.
There are a total of 15 trainings, each of which offers at least 5 credits. Some are as short as 10 minutes — easy to squeeze into your day.
> Intel Unite Solutions: These trainings will teach you the basics of collaboration solutions and how to successfully position, demonstrate and deploy the Intel Unite solution. You’ll also delve into the software platform that modernizes and unifies collaboration across verticals and organizations of all sizes.
There are nearly a dozen trainings, and they include getting started with Intel Unite cloud service, delivering immersive learning tech, and a safer return to work.
> Ready to get skilled? Check out client Competencies on Intel Partner University (login required).
> Are you a member of Intel Partner Alliance? Activate your membership or join now.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
Do you have customers looking to upgrade PCs and other client systems with bigger, better storage? If so, Intel has an innovative new solid-state drive they’ll find interesting.
Known as the Intel SSD 670p, this client-system storage drive features Intel’s advanced QLC 3D NAND technology. The drive is available in the familiar M2 (22 x 80 mm) form factor. It offers lots of performance. And it’s backed up by Intel’s 5-year warranty.
How good is this SSD? Don’t take my word (or Intel’s) for it. Here’s what some leading tech reviewers have said about the Intel SSD 670p:
“Rather than chasing higher and higher stats for the sake of marketing brag points, Intel has instead refocused the ultimate purpose of SSDs… in the process, it has nearly dethroned some of the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives we’ve ever tested.” — PCMag
“The Intel 670p is perhaps the first QLC SSD that simply doesn’t act like a QLC SSD. Not only did it pull off incredible performance … but also its low 4K random read performance is incredible.” — The SSD Review
“Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine the 670p would run with the big dogs. QLC-based SSDs, even with Gen4 interfaces, have never been capable of delivering performance where it matters like this before. This is truly groundbreaking territory.” — TweakTown
QLC for your MVPs
The Intel SSD 670p brings to your customers’ client systems the same technology Intel has been developing for data-center servers. QLC (quad-level cell) technology improves the storage density over previous approaches (TLC, MLC and SLC). And 3D means these cells get stacked vertically — in Intel’s case, up to 144 layers.
The industry is moving toward QLC technology in part to drive down costs. But the technology can deliver a balance of other benefits, too, including power, performance, speed and endurance. The new Intel drives are energy-efficient, too, drawing just 25mW while idle and about 3mW during sleep. That helps keep laptop batteries charged longer.
Another industry movement is toward PCIe interfaces, and away (probably forever) from SATA. Virtually all new SSD drives are now designed for PCIe. And today’s entry-level PCIe SSDs are now good enough for mainstream use.
Yet another industry shift that the Intel SSD 670p reflects is the requirement for more and more client storage. The days when 100GB was sufficient have passed. Intel is offering the new SSD in three SKUs offering 512GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage capacity.
Cache for performance
Caching is another aspect of PC storage tech that has become increasingly important. And sure enough, the Intel SSD 670p offers serious caching improvements.
It’s all about speed. With a feature known as Dynamic SLC, the drive’s cache allows whatever you’re running to go in faster SLC (single-level cell) mode. On Intel’s 1TB drive, for example, you get a maximum SLC capacity of up to 140GB.
Essentially, this means your customers can get SLC-like performance on a QLC drive. Intel does this with a combination of advanced firmware, 4-channel controller and more.
Intel says this allows the Intel SSD 670p to outperform all others for mixed workloads. Meaning storage no longer needs to be a bottleneck.
This SSD is affordable, too. Recommended retail prices are $69 for the 512GB drive, $119 for the 1TB drive, and $254 for the 2TB drive.
Replacing older storage drives can be a smart and affordable way to extend the life of your customers’ older client systems. And for that role, the Intel SSD 670p could be just the right drive.
Get storage-savvy:
> Check out the Intel SSD 670p drives
> Bust these 4 common myths about QLC storage
Are you a member of Intel Partner Alliance? Activate your membership or join now.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
If you’re an Intel partner, then Intel Partner Alliance is your new and streamlined platform.
Launched earlier this year, IPA has been designed to help Intel partners like you get the most benefit from Intel’s partner programs, learn about the latest technologies, and collaborate with other tech providers.
Here are 5 top benefits of the Intel Partner Alliance, courtesy of a recent “Pardon the Integration” video interview with Jason Kimrey, Intel’s GM channel scale and partners:
1) Unify & simplify: Intel Partner Alliance unifies all Intel partners under just 1 program. Previous programs, such as Intel Technology Provider and Intel IoT Solution Alliance, have now been brought under a single umbrella. That makes it easier for you to collaborate with others.
“Our goal was simple,” Kimrey says. “We wanted to arrive at a streamlined offering that allows partners to maximize the program benefits and enables them to embrace complicated new technologies and adapt with collaborative approaches.”
Jason Kimrey: 'Our goal was simple.'
2) New roles: All members of Intel Partner Alliance are assigned one of 9 roles. These include cloud service provider, distributor, OEM and solution provider.
The point of the new roles is to make it easier for you to collaborate and innovate with other IPA members. Each role has its own requirements and benefits, based on its business competencies.
3) Tiers without tears: Under the new IPA framework, the tiers have been redefined to be simpler and deliver more benefits to you. The new membership levels are: member, gold and titanium. They’re based on revenue and training requirements.
As you move up the levels, you’ll gain new and increasingly valuable assets. These include lead generation, co-marketing campaigns, and pre-release product info.
4) Pain-free training: IPA includes a training facility, Intel Partner University. You can not only get trained on the latest Intel tech, but also earn points in Competencies and be awarded with badges you can use to promote your skills.
5) Partner solutions: Another IPA component, Intel Solutions Marketplace, is a robust B2B platform designed with matchmaking in mind. It connects partners like you with products and solutions to help you address your customers’ tech and business needs.
> Learn more about Intel Partner Alliance: Watch the “Pardon the Integration” video interview with Intel’s Jason Kimrey.
> Are you a member of Intel Partner Alliance? Activate your membership or join now.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
Today marks 100 days since Pat Gelsinger took over as Intel’s chief executive officer.
Since Gelsinger assumed his new role on Feb. 15, the mood and talk at Intel has changed. But what has the new CEO actually accomplished? Here are 5 top takeaways:
1) Announced Intel’s IDM 2.0 strategy: In late March, CEO Gelsinger announced two big changes to Intel’s integrated device manufacturing model. First, Intel will invest $20 billion to build two new factories in Arizona, creating 3,000 permanent jobs. Second, Intel will for the first time become a foundry provider to other companies. Gelsinger also said Intel may rely on other companies for components required for its coming generation of 7nm chips.
2) Set new business goals for Intel: On his second day as CEO, Gelsinger sent a memo to all Intel employees that outlined 4 new priorities for Intel: lead in every category in which the company competes, execute flawlessly, innovate with boldness and speed, and attract and retain the world’s best engineers and technologists.
3) Working with Washington: Gelsinger in April joined Biden administration officials and other industry leaders to discuss ways to overcome the global semiconductor shortage. The move is important because the shortage is probably too big and complicated for either industry or government to solve alone.
4) Reinforced Intel’s social responsibility goals: Earlier this month, Gelsinger listed ambitious targets for Intel’s coming year. These include: increase the representation of women in Intel leadership roles to 40%; work with ecosystem partners to adopt responsible minerals-sourcing practices; and expand efforts to support the U.N. sustainable-development goals.
5) Moderated Intel’s stock price: Fairly or not, CEOs get judged by how much they raise their companies’ stock price. Gelsinger’s record here is mixed, but he has at least halted the stock’s fall. As of this morning, Intel was trading at about $57 a share; that’s above the 52-week low of $43.61, but below the recent high of $68.49.
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
If you still think artificial intelligence is a specialized niche application for scientists, it’s time to update your thinking.
The new reality is that AI is “becoming ubiquitous across all functional areas of a business,” says Rity Jyoti, head of AI research at market watcher IDC.
As Jyoti explains, AI is no longer just a high-end tool for scientists. It’s now used to power a wide range of important business applications, including IT process optimization, predictions and recommendations, and improving the customer and employee experience.
All that leads IDC to predict that the worldwide market for AI software, hardware and services will top $327 billion this year, a year-on-year rise of 16%. Looking ahead, the growth is expected to continue. IDC’s expects global AI sales will top $500 billion by 2024.
Optimized for AI
No surprise, then, that Intel’s general-purpose processors for data-center servers are optimized for AI. The latest 3rd gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors offer built-in AI acceleration, and they’re built to work with the most popular AI frameworks.
What’s more, the 3rd gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors are the only data-center CPUs with these AI accelerations, hardware-enhanced security and software optimizations built into the silicon.
Powered by the open oneAPI standard, 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors make it easier and faster for your customers to build and deploy smarter models. This API-CPU combo can also simplify how your customers move from AI proof-of-concepts to full production.
With these new processors, your customers can choose from a broad selection of pre-integrated and verified enterprise solutions for data analytics and AI. That includes both enterprise databases and a broad range of applications.
Real-world intelligence
Don’t just take my word for it. Consider just 3 of the many real-world users now powering mainstream business applications with AI on Intel Xeon Scalable-based servers:
> Burger King: The home of the Whopper uses AI deep learning to create a fast-food recommender system aimed at improving both the customer experience and sales. The system correlates what customers order with the weather, time and location.
This recommender system integrates data processing with Apache Spark, an open-source analytics engine, with training via distributed MXNet, an open-source deep learning framework, all on a single Intel Xeon processor cluster.
> SK Telecom: South Korea’s largest mobile operator worked with Intel to build an end-to-end AI pipeline to analyze data from more than 400,000 cell towers. This pipeline now includes Spark; Analytics Zoo, Intel’s unified analytics and AI platform; and TensorFlow, a math software library. It runs on a server cluster based on Intel Xeon Scalable processors, Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 512 and Intel Deep Learning Boost.
> HYHY: Huiyi Huiying Medical Technology, a Chinese company that develops computer-vision and deep-learning tech, has created a medical-imaging system to help healthcare practitioners diagnose dozens of diseases, including COVID-19.
The system runs on Intel technology, including servers powered by Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel Deep Learning Boost; Intel’s distribution of the OpenVino toolkit, designed for developing applications that use computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition and more; and Intel’s distribution of the Python programming language.
Get smarter:
> Artificial intelligence and deep learning solutions
> Accelerate your AI today on 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors
The indispensable source for professionals who create, implement and service technology solutions for entrepreneurs to enterprise.
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