ASUS NUC 15 Pro Mini Black Review

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro is a super-connected, ultra-compact PC that's hamstrung by its integrated graphics. It's fantastic for office work and driving multiple monitors, but useless for gaming or creative tasks. At $1000, it's a niche pick for those who value size and ports over raw power.

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro is a tiny, fully-configured desktop PC that's ready to go out of the box. It's built around Intel's latest Core Ultra 7 mobile processor and packs a surprising amount of connectivity into its half-pound frame.

This isn't a gaming rig. With integrated Intel Graphics, it scores a 13 out of 100 in that category. But for business, development, or as a compact media hub, it's got some serious chops, especially with its port selection landing in the 99th percentile.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is a capable 16-core mobile chip. In our database, its CPU performance sits in the 61st percentile, which means it's solidly above average for general productivity and multitasking. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM is decent (62nd percentile), and the 1TB SSD is right in the middle of the pack. The obvious bottleneck is graphics, scoring in the 38th percentile. It'll handle your spreadsheets and video calls just fine, but don't expect to edit 4K video or play anything more demanding than Solitaire.

At around $1000, the value proposition is tricky. You're paying a premium for the ultra-compact form factor, the latest connectivity like Wi-Fi 7, and the convenience of a pre-built system. If you desperately need a tiny PC with tons of ports for office work, it might be justifiable. But if raw performance per dollar is your goal, you can get a much more powerful traditional desktop for the same money.

This sits in a weird spot. Compared to gaming towers like the HP Omen 45L or Alienware Aurora, it gets absolutely smoked in performance—those are in a different league. Against other mini PCs, like the upcoming ROG NUC, the ASUS has better connectivity now but will likely be outgunned by the ROG's dedicated GPU. Its real competition is from business-class mini PCs from Dell or Lenovo, where its port selection and tool-less design are its main advantages.

Gamers, video editors, 3D artists, or anyone who needs graphical horsepower should look elsewhere immediately. Also, if you're on a tight budget and just need a basic PC, a traditional desktop or laptop will give you more performance for your $1000. This is for a very specific, port-obsessed, space-constrained user.

Buy this if you need the absolute smallest desktop possible and your workload is 100% office apps, web browsing, and basic development. Its four 4K display support and wealth of ports make it a fantastic digital signage player or a clean, cable-free desk hub. Just know exactly what you're getting into.