I ordered a DC3217IYE NUC when I accepted that Linux support for the graphics on my Cedar Trail motherboard was not adequate. My two issues are that I am unable to access the BIOS (F2 key is recognized but processed incorrectly) and the 1.35v Samsung DRAM I bought did not work. I use the NUC for media consumption and Internet browsing so I have a rather low bar here, but I am delighted. Still, a Linux kernal update is known to enhance graphics and ACPI support so I will get around to that eventually. I have no rush because I am pleased using Debian Wheezy.
The unit feels substantive and is solid state inside other than the CPU fan. There is no fear manhandling it to replace USB cables. Right now the fan is spinning at 2755 rpm which I know because I monitor it. My room has some background noise and I have never heard the NUC fan. My core temperatures typically run from 48-56 degrees. As I write this, my Kill-A-Watt says I am using 18.8 watts. I installed a redeployed 40 GB Intel msata drive which is plenty given that media files are stored on a separate server that exports NFS shares. Later, just because it is interesting, I want to look at performance when it is configured as a diskless media consumption station using PXE boot. The NUC fully met my expectations and it's small size and discrete lighting make it easy to live with.