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Intel NUC VS MikroTik RouterOS

Compare Intel NUC VS MikroTik RouterOS and see what are their differences

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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Intel NUC logo Intel NUC

Intel NUCs are available as Kits(Barebones), Boards(Mainbaord only) and as perconfigured Mini-PCs.

MikroTik RouterOS logo MikroTik RouterOS

The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.
  • Intel NUC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-07
  • MikroTik RouterOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

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.

MikroTik RouterOS features and specs

  • Cost-Effective
    MikroTik RouterOS offers enterprise-level features at a significantly lower price point compared to other competitors, providing excellent value for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Feature-Rich
    The OS includes advanced features such as VPN, firewall, bandwidth management, and remote access, making it suitable for a wide range of networking needs.
  • Scalability
    MikroTik RouterOS is highly scalable, making it a good choice for both small networks and large, complex installations.
  • Customizability
    Users have a high degree of control over network settings, enabling customization to meet specific requirements.
  • Strong Community Support
    A large and active online community provides forums, tutorials, and third-party tools to assist users.
  • Regular Updates
    MikroTik frequently releases updates to RouterOS, offering new features and security improvements.

Possible disadvantages of MikroTik RouterOS

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its advanced features and wide range of configuration options, it can be difficult for beginners to get started.
  • Complex Interface
    The interface can be overwhelming and less intuitive compared to other networking solutions, necessitating more time and effort to manage.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Fewer integrations with third-party tools and services can be a limitation for some users looking for specific functionalities.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Not all hardware is compatible with MikroTik RouterOS, potentially requiring investment in new, supported devices.
  • Support Costs
    Although there is a strong community, official support from MikroTik can be costly for advanced troubleshooting and issues.
  • Limited Graphical Interface
    For advanced configuration, users often need to rely on command-line interface (CLI), which can be daunting for those more accustomed to graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Analysis of MikroTik RouterOS

Overall verdict

  • MikroTik RouterOS is a strong choice for those who require robust network management tools at a competitive price. Its extensive feature set, reliability, and scalability make it suitable for both small businesses and enterprise environments.

Why this product is good

  • MikroTik RouterOS is often considered good due to its comprehensive feature set, affordability, and flexibility. It is used by network professionals who appreciate its powerful capabilities, including advanced routing, firewall, and VPN capabilities. RouterOS supports a wide range of network configurations, making it a versatile choice for various networking needs.

Recommended for

    Network administrators, IT professionals, small businesses, and enterprises that require customizability, cost-effectiveness, and a wide range of network management features. It's particularly suitable for those who have the technical expertise to manage more complex networking configurations.

Intel NUC videos

+ Add

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

MikroTik RouterOS videos

+ Add

MikroTik RouterOS security review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Intel NUC and MikroTik RouterOS)

Intel NUC

MikroTik RouterOS

Electronics
100 100%
Electronics
0% 0
Operating Systems
0 0%
Operating Systems
100% 100
Single Board Computer
100 100%
Single Board Computer
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
Linux
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Intel NUC and MikroTik RouterOS

Intel NUC Reviews

We have no reviews of Intel NUC yet.
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MikroTik RouterOS Reviews

  1. Guest
    many bugs that block connections

    since 2 years they didn't fix bugs that block the router from the internet

The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
MikroTik RouterOS is an open-source router OS software that is designed to provide a powerful, customizable, and secure networking experience. It is based on the Linux kernel and offers a range of features and capabilities that make it a popular choice among network enthusiasts, developers, and IT professionals. The open-source nature of MikroTik RouterOS means that users...
Source: www.comparitech.com
11 Best pfsense Alternatives To Secure Your Network
Before acquiring licensed software, MikroTik enables you to test the MikroTik RouterOS technology. This is referred to as Trial Mode by MikroTik, and it allows you to try the whole MikroTik RouterOS features and functionality set for up to 24 hours.
Source: technicalustad.com
10 Best pfSense Alternatives and Similar Firewalls
RouterOS has a stateful firewall, which conducts stateful inspection and maintains track of the state of network connections traversing it. It also includes Source and Destination Network Address Translation, NAT assistance for common applications, and UPnP compatibility.
Source: www.regendus.com
5 Router OS Turns Old PC Into High Performance Router And Enterprise Network Switch
RouterOS is the operating system of RouterBOARD. It can also be installed on a PC and will turn it into a router with all the necessary features – routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server and more.
Source: www.geckoandfly.com
A Feast of Linux-Based Routers
Though the code is not open and it is more of a commercial offering, RouterOS from MikroTik is Linux-based. It installs onto and turns regular PCs into a enterprise-level router. It gives you all the necessary features, including routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server, and more.
Source: www.linuxtoday.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MikroTik RouterOS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 24 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.

Intel NUC mentions (0)

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

MikroTik RouterOS mentions (24)

  • What the TP-Link Ban in the US Means for You
    Check out Microtik hardware, it’s good and reasonably priced. No association, I just like it. https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ubiquiti showing other users' consoles
    Anyone using Mikrotik these days? Been Mikro-curious for awhile and always see them thrown around as a Unifi alternative. Yet to hear of any firsthand implementations though. [0] https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Free - Self-hosted - WebRTC - alternative to Zoom, Teams, Google Meet - Real time video calls, chat, screen sharing, file sharing, collaborative whiteboard, dashboard, rooms scheduler and more!
    I keep reading it as the networking hardware company Mikrotik. Source: about 2 years ago
  • hap ax2 or ax3
    The "Buy" link at the top of mikrotik.com - this is how most hardware vendors with a distribution network have their site set up. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Germany ups reliance on Huawei for 5G despite security fears
    Or Mikrotik from Latvia, for switching/routing: Https://mikrotik.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

OpenWrt - OpenWrt is an open-source firmware based on Linux for wireless routers

ESPRESSObin - Electronics, Single Board Computer, and x86

pfSense - pfSense is a free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more

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

OPNsense - OPNsense® you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easy™. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

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