Asus Mini PC ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Desktop Computer Review
The Asus NUC 15 Pro+ packs a surprising punch in a tiny box, but its high price and weak graphics make it a niche pick. It's perfect for developers on the move, not for gamers.
The 30-Second Version
A fantastic tiny desktop for developers and travelers, but a terrible value for gamers or anyone who doesn't need a PC the size of a sandwich. Paying a premium for portability.
Overview
The Asus NUC 15 Pro+ is a compact powerhouse that's absolutely brilliant for the right person, and a total miss for everyone else. The one thing to know is this: it's a tiny, well-built desktop PC with a surprising amount of muscle for its size, but it's not a gaming rig and it's not a budget option. It's a premium, portable workstation for developers, creatives, or anyone who needs serious desktop power in a box the size of a paperback book.
Performance
The performance story here is all about the CPU and RAM combo. That Intel Core Ultra 7 255H with 32GB of DDR5 is no joke. It lands in the 60th and 82nd percentiles respectively, which means it's faster than most desktops out there. It'll chew through code compilation, photo editing, and dozens of browser tabs without breaking a sweat. The surprise is the integrated Intel Arc graphics. With 16GB of VRAM, it's not terrible for light creative work, but our database confirms its gaming score is a dismal 13.8 out of 100. Don't even think about modern games.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly compact and portable design. 93th
- 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM is a huge win for multitasking. 83th
- Excellent connectivity with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7. 82th
- Toolless upgrade system makes future tweaks easy. 71th
Cons
- Integrated graphics are useless for gaming.
- Pricey for the raw CPU performance you get.
- Very low social proof score—it's a niche product few have bought.
- Reliability is just average according to our data.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |
| Cores | 16 |
| Frequency | 2.0 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Arc Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 16 GB |
| VRAM Type | Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 32 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage | 1 TB |
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Build
| Form Factor | Mini |
| PSU | 120 |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
Connectivity
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 4 |
| HDMI | 2x HDMI 2.1 Output |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
System
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
Value & Pricing
At around $1200, the value is a tough sell. You're paying a premium for the mini form factor and the generous 32GB RAM. If you desperately need a tiny, powerful desktop, it's worth it. If you just need a fast PC and don't care about size, you can get more raw power for the same money in a traditional tower.
Price History
vs Competition
This sits in a weird spot. It's not competing with the gaming towers listed, like the HP Omen or Alienware Aurora—those will run circles around it in games. Its real competition is other mini PCs and small form factor builds. Compared to something like an Intel NUC 13 Pro, you get a newer CPU and more RAM out of the box. But if you're even slightly considering those big gaming desktops, you want a completely different type of machine. This Asus is for portability and quiet office work, not RGB-lit gaming sessions.
| Spec | Asus Mini PC ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Desktop Computer | HP OMEN HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop, Intel Core Ultra 7 | Dell Aurora Dell Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop | Lenovo T Series Towers Tower 7i Gen 10 90Y6003WUS | Asus ASUS Republic of Gamers NUC NUC15JNK Mini Desktop | MSI MSI Gaming Desktop PC MEG Vision X AI 2NVZ9-045US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 |
| RAM (GB) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 64 |
| Storage (GB) | 1024 | 2048 | 2048 | 2048 | 1024 | 2048 |
| GPU | Intel Arc Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 |
| Form Factor | Mini | Desktop | Desktop | Tower | Mini | Tower |
| Psu W | 120 | 850 | — | — | 330 | 1300 |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
Common Questions
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM or storage later?
Yes, the toolless design makes it pretty easy. It uses standard DDR5 SO-DIMMs and an M.2 NVMe slot, so you can swap them out.
Q: Can it run two 4K monitors?
Absolutely. With Thunderbolt 4 and dual HDMI 2.1 outputs, driving two 4K displays for spreadsheets or coding is this thing's bread and butter.
Q: Is this good for video editing?
For light 1080p editing, maybe. But for serious 4K work, the integrated GPU will hold you back. You'd want a mini PC with a discrete graphics card.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking to play any games from the last five years, this isn't it. The integrated Intel Arc graphics are a non-starter. Go get a gaming desktop like the HP Omen 45L instead. Also skip if you're on a tight budget and don't care about size—a traditional desktop will give you more power for the price.
Verdict
We recommend the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ if you have a very specific need: a powerful, quiet, and extremely portable desktop for professional work. Developers, digital nomads, and minimalist office setups will love it. For everyone else—especially gamers or anyone on a budget—this is an easy skip. You're paying for the small size, and if you don't need that, the money is better spent elsewhere.