Asus ASUS NUC 15 Pro Slim Mini Desktop Computer Review

A super-compact desktop with future-proof ports, but you pay a premium for the small size over performance. Only buy this if Wi-Fi 7 and a tiny footprint are your non-negotiable needs.

The Asus NUC 15 Pro Slim is a tiny desktop that's all about modern connectivity in a super small box. It's not a powerhouse, but it's a surprisingly capable little machine for office work and media streaming. The one thing to know is this: it's built for people who need a clean, modern, and very small PC with the latest ports, not for anyone who needs serious graphics performance.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 chip with integrated graphics. It's fine. Our database shows its CPU lands in the 49th percentile, which means it's squarely average for a desktop. It'll handle spreadsheets, web browsing, and video calls without breaking a sweat. The real surprise is the connectivity, which hits the 90th percentile. You're getting Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, and a 2.5G Ethernet port in a box that weighs less than a pound and a half. That's the real story here.

The value proposition is narrow. At $1049, you're not buying performance. You're buying a specific, ultra-compact form factor with bleeding-edge connectivity. If that's exactly what you need, it's worth it. If you just need a desktop PC and don't care about size, you can get a much more powerful machine for the same money.

This sits in a weird spot. It's not a gaming PC, so comparing it to the HP Omen or Alienware towers is pointless—those are in a different league. The most relevant competitor is another mini PC, like the Intel NUC or similar models from Beelink or Minisforum. Those often offer similar or better specs for less money, but might lack this specific model's Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 combo. If you need a tiny PC, shop around. If you need any graphics power at all, look at mini PCs with discrete GPUs or just get a small-form-factor tower.

Skip this if you're on any kind of budget or need any graphics power. If you're looking for the best performance per dollar, this isn't it. Go get a mini PC from a brand like Minisforum with a more powerful AMD Ryzen chip for less money, or just build a small Micro-ATX tower.

We can only recommend the Asus NUC 15 Pro Slim if your top priorities are, in this order: 1) the absolute smallest footprint possible, and 2) having the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 ports. For everyone else—students, home users, general office workers—there are better-performing or better-value mini PCs out there. It's a niche product that executes well on its niche, but that niche is very small.