Today we are going to take a look at the SimplyNUC Onyx v9. This new system has an Intel Core i9-13900H inside, giving it a total of 14 cores and 20 threads in a small and portable form factor. Aside from the massive core count for a small system, we are going to take a look at the system and see what feels familiar and what is different in this generation.
SimplyNUC Onyx v9 Overview
SimplyNUC sent us the system to review and since we have done many of the systems in our STH Mini PC series with videos, we did one here as well:
As always, for the best viewing experience, we suggest opening this review in its own window, tab, or app.
The Onyx v9 system that SimplyNUC sent was fully configured. This small system had its 13th Gen Core i9 processor but also had memory and storage.
In the system, we have 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD. The system was also configured with Windows 11.
We are getting into this a bit later, but the price of the base system is around $999, which is not cheap. On the other hand, SimplyNUC built much of its business by taking the base Intel NUCs and configuring them for business customers. After Intel discontinued the NUC line, selling it to ASUS, SimplyNUC has had to go the extra step to produce its PCs. The Onyx v9 is the first NUC that we have reviewed since Intel exited the NUC PC business several months ago.
SimplyNUC Onyx v9 External Hardware Overview
The front of the system is similar to previous generations from SimplyNUC and should look familiar to those who have enjoyed the 4×4 mini PCs for generations. We get normal items like a combo headset jack and power button. We also get a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps port.
On the side of the system, we get a Kensington lock port.
On the other side, we get more than just venting. Instead, we get a microSD card slot. We wish this were a full-size SD card slot because it would be significantly more useful. One can adapt a microSD card to a SD card slot using an inexpensive adapter, but the full-sized SD card slot is too large to fit into the microSD card slot.
On the rear, we get a few exciting features. We get two more USB Type-A 10Gbps ports along with two HDMI ports. The prominent feature, however, is the two USB4 20Gbps ports on the back of the system.
In addition, we get 2.5GbE LAN. 2.5GbE networking has become standard on most mini PCs this year. If you want to make the jump to 2.5GbE, we have the Ultimate Cheap Fanless 2.5GbE Switch Buyers Guide, where we have almost three dozen models we have tested all in one place. 2.5GbE switches are no longer expensive, so they are great to pair with systems like these:
Next, let us get inside the system to see how it works.
You’re right. I’m not sure $999 with those specs and expensive upgrades is good pricing. So I don’t see them targeting consumers
Quick question on the footer of the NUC’s – are the screws connected to the base with metal fasteners (a spring loaded clip)? I really appreciate that there options for a vesa mount but I am limited / unable to mount it as the screws are immovable from the original base so they are not lost.