Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

esp32 VS Intel NUC

Compare esp32 VS Intel NUC and see what are their differences

esp32 logo esp32

A very cheap small chip, compatible with Arduino.

Intel NUC logo Intel NUC

Intel NUCs are available as Kits(Barebones), Boards(Mainbaord only) and as perconfigured Mini-PCs.
  • esp32 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-02-01
  • Intel NUC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-07

esp32 features and specs

  • Powerful Dual-core Processor
    The ESP32 features a dual-core processor, offering robust processing capability which is suitable for complex IoT applications and tasks that require a high performance.
  • Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
    It comes with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (both Classic and BLE), which makes it very versatile for wireless communication in various projects.
  • Low Power Consumption
    ESP32 is designed for low power consumption, making it a great choice for battery-powered devices and applications that require energy efficiency.
  • Rich Peripheral Set
    The ESP32 includes a wide range of peripherals such as ADCs, DACs, capacitive touch sensors, and more, enabling diverse applications.
  • Extensive Library Support
    There is strong community and library support, making development smoother with ready-to-use libraries and examples.
  • Cost-effective
    Given its features, the ESP32 offers great value for money, being cost-effective for developers and prototyping needs.

Possible disadvantages of esp32

  • Complexity in Setup and Use
    Due to its advanced features and configuration options, beginners might find the setup process and initial learning curve to be complex.
  • Limited RAM
    The ESP32 has a limited amount of RAM, which can be a constraint for applications that require a lot of memory and data processing.
  • Power Supply Sensitivity
    The ESP32 can be sensitive to power supply fluctuations, necessitating a stable power supply for reliable operation.
  • Variability in Module Quality
    There is variability in quality across different ESP32 modules from various manufacturers, which can affect performance and reliability.

Intel NUC features and specs

  • Compact Size
    The Intel NUC is known for its small form factor, making it ideal for space-constrained environments.
  • Customizability
    Users can choose from a variety of configurations and components, such as RAM and storage, to meet their specific needs.
  • Energy Efficiency
    Intel NUCs typically consume less power than traditional desktop PCs, making them more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
  • Versatility
    They can be used for a wide range of applications, from home entertainment systems to business solutions and digital signage.
  • Performance
    Despite their small size, Intel NUCs often offer robust performance, thanks to the use of Intel's latest processors and technology.

Possible disadvantages of Intel NUC

  • Limited Expansion
    The compact design restricts the ability to add extra components such as additional storage drives or high-end graphics cards.
  • Higher Cost
    Compared to traditional desktops, Intel NUCs can be more expensive on a price-to-performance basis, especially for higher-end models.
  • Cooling Efficiency
    Due to their small size, effective cooling can be a challenge, potentially affecting performance under heavy loads.
  • Peripheral Dependence
    Since most NUCs come as barebones kits, users will need to purchase additional peripherals like keyboards, monitors, and external storage.
  • Repairability
    The compact and integrated design can make repairs and upgrades more difficult compared to traditional desktops.

esp32 videos

ESP32 Review: Using the ESP32 with the Arduino IDE

More videos:

  • Review - #159 Big ESP32 Boards Review and Test
  • Review - #339 The new ESP32-S2: How relevant is it for the Makers? First tests

Intel NUC videos

Is This TINY Gaming PC Worth It? Intel NUC 9 Extreme Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to esp32 and Intel NUC)
Electronics
34 34%
66% 66
Single Board Computer
35 35%
65% 65
System & Hardware
43 43%
57% 57
X86
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, esp32 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

esp32 mentions (3)

  • how and where to learn programming ESP32 in C?
    Esp32.net has a bunch of additional references, projects, and places to gather information. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is there any true Open Source WiFi cards over 802.11g?
    Closest thing is the ESP32 from Espressif Systems See ESP32 link for details. Since you specifically asked for open source, so some tinkering and compile is required. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Buying advice, not sure which dev boards are really supported
    There's also many more dev boards, chips and modules listed here, though they may not necessarily have platformio IDs. Source: about 4 years ago

Intel NUC mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Intel NUC yet. Tracking of Intel NUC recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing esp32 and Intel NUC, you can also consider the following products

Intel NUC boards - Four-by-four inch Intel NUC boards come with a soldered-on processor.

ESPRESSObin - Electronics, Single Board Computer, and x86

Udoo x86 Ultra - Udoo x86 Ultra is a modern PC, known as the most powerful X86 maker board and an Arduino 101 compatible platform.

SanCloud BeagleBone Enhanced WiFi 1G - One amongst SanCloud's range of BeagleBone Enhanced SBCs - each are enhancements of the BeagleBone Black (BBB).

Olimex A64-OLinuXino - Open source hardware board that runs Linux and Android. Entirely designed with open source software CAD tools.

Helios4 - The Open Source and Open Hardware Network Attached Storage (NAS). Build your own PrivateCloud: Store music and movies, share photo albums with friends, protect your files and never fear losing data again.