Asus has launched the Ascent QN10 mini-PC, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. This 18-core CPU is paired with an 80 TOPS NPU, offering robust performance for local AI tasks. The mini-PC comes with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X-8533 RAM, which is not user-upgradeable.
Connectivity options include three USB4 ports, four USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 2.5 GbE Ethernet connection. Wireless connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 7. Storage is expandable via dual M.2 2280 slots supporting PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSDs.
The Ascent QN10 measures 130 x 130 x 40 mm and weighs 620 g, making it compact and portable. It requires an 180 W power adapter. Pricing varies by region: it starts at CNY 9,999 (~$1,490) in China for the 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage configuration, SGD 2,629 (~$2,075) in Singapore for 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, $1,699 in the US for 32 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, and £2,181.99 in the UK for the same configuration.
Compared to Intel’s NUC 16 Pro, which features Panther Lake processors and starts at $705 on Amazon, the Ascent QN10 offers a different value proposition with its Snapdragon X2 platform and integrated Adreno X2-90 iGPU. The Ascent QN10 lacks a discrete Nvidia GPU, which was present in last year’s Ascent GX10.
For those considering the Ascent QN10, it’s important to note that while it offers strong performance and connectivity options, the lack of a user-upgradeable RAM and the higher price point compared to Intel-based alternatives may be deal-breakers. However, if you’re looking for a mini-PC with strong local AI capabilities and Qualcomm’s ecosystem, the Ascent QN10 is a solid choice. For more details, check out the original article on Notebookcheck.
