Asus ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Barebone Kit Review

The Asus NUC 15 Pro+ Barebone Kit is a compact mini PC foundation with a modern Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU and great connectivity like Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7. You need to add your own RAM and storage. It's perfect for a clean office setup but not for gaming.

If you're hunting for a tiny desktop PC that you can stuff with your own RAM and storage, the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ Barebone Kit is a solid contender. It's a mini PC, which means it's about the size of a small book, and it comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 225H processor and integrated Intel Arc graphics already installed. You'll need to add your own DDR5 memory and an SSD, but that's the whole point of a barebone kit—you get to choose exactly how much power you want. For around $590, you're getting a compact foundation with surprisingly modern connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7, which is perfect for a clean office setup or a media center tucked behind a monitor.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is a 14-core chip that lands in the 57th percentile for CPU performance in our database. That means it's solidly mid-range, good for office tasks, web browsing, and light photo editing. The integrated Intel Arc Graphics, with its dedicated 16GB of VRAM, scores in the 43rd percentile. It's not a gaming GPU, but it's a big step up from older integrated graphics and can handle some light video playback or older games at low settings. The real star here is the connectivity. With a 98th percentile score for ports, you get Thunderbolt 4, dual HDMI 2.1 outputs, and 2.5G Ethernet, making this little box a fantastic hub for multiple monitors and fast file transfers.

At roughly $590 for the barebone kit, the value proposition is clear: you pay for the compact, well-engineered chassis and modern motherboard, then control the final cost with your component choices. It's more expensive than some complete mini PCs with similar specs, but you're getting better build quality and far more future-proof connectivity. If you already have spare DDR5 RAM and an NVMe drive lying around, this becomes a very compelling option for building a sleek, modern desktop.

This sits in a weird spot compared to competitors. It's not a gaming rig like the HP Omen 45L or Corsair Vengeance a7400, which have dedicated GPUs. It's also not a traditional business desktop like a Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny, which often come with RAM and storage pre-installed. The Asus NUC 15 Pro+ is for the tinkerer who wants a super-clean, ultra-modern foundation. Compared to an Intel NUC kit, you're getting a more recent CPU and better I/O. Compared to a Beelink or Minisforum mini PC that comes fully assembled, you're paying a bit more for the privilege of choosing your own components and getting that best-in-class port selection.

Gamers and creative professionals should look elsewhere. The integrated graphics simply won't cut it for 3D rendering, video editing, or playing new games. If you want a plug-and-play experience, skip this—you don't want the hassle of sourcing parts. Instead, consider a pre-built mini PC from brands like Minisforum or a more powerful small form factor desktop with a dedicated GPU if your work demands it.

Should you buy the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ Barebone Kit? Yes, if you have a very specific use case. This is an excellent choice for someone building a compact, cable-free office PC, a home theater PC, or a digital signage player. The modern ports are fantastic. But you need to be comfortable installing your own RAM and SSD, and you must accept that this will never be a gaming PC or a video editing powerhouse. If that sounds like you, it's a clever, well-built little machine. If you just want a small PC that works out of the box, look at pre-built mini PCs instead.