Asus NUC 15 Pro+ Review: The Mini PC Powerhouse Redefining Desktop Replacements

Asus NUC 15 Pro+ with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (Image source: Notebookcheck)

With the official launch of the Asus NUC 15 Pro+, the Taiwanese manufacturer isn't just continuing Intel's legacy—it's boldly advancing it. This new model sends a clear message to professional users, creative studios, and power enthusiasts: the era of the compromised mini PC is over. Combining a cutting-edge Intel processor with unprecedented connectivity in a chassis smaller than a textbook, the NUC 15 Pro+ is engineered to be a true desktop alternative without the bulk.

A New Chapter for NUC: Power Meets Pragmatism

When Asus took over the NUC (Next Unit of Computing) product line from Intel, the tech community wondered about the future direction. The NUC 15 Pro+ provides a definitive answer. It focuses on delivering maximum performance and flexibility for demanding workloads, from 4K video editing and 3D rendering to complex data analysis and software development.

At its heart lies the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, a modern high-end CPU that represents a significant architectural shift. Built on an efficient chiplet design, it integrates dedicated AI acceleration via an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This isn't just a spec sheet bullet point; it enables faster local AI task processing in applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and various AI-assisted development tools, all without taxing the main CPU cores.

Specifications That Impress: Built for Speed and Expansion

The internal specs read like a wishlist for a high-end workstation, just miniaturized:

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (16 cores, 22 threads)
Memory: Supports up to 96GB of fast DDR5 RAM via two SO-DIMM slots
Storage: Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots for ultra-fast storage and easy RAID configurations
Connectivity: The port selection is a major highlight, featuring two Thunderbolt 4 ports (for displays, data, or power delivery), multiple USB-A 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 2.5 Gbit Ethernet port for swift network transfers.
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure top-tier wireless connectivity.

This robust I/O panel turns the NUC 15 Pro+ into a connectivity hub, capable of driving multiple high-resolution monitors and a suite of peripherals simultaneously.

The eGPU Game-Changer: Unleashing Desktop-Grade Graphics

One of the most compelling aspects of the NUC 15 Pro+ is its explicit compatibility with external graphics cards (eGPUs). Our testing, corroborated by a detailed external review, confirms that leveraging its Thunderbolt 4 ports with an enclosure housing a card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 transforms this mini PC into an absolute monster. This flexibility is a game-changer for users who need massive GPU power for rendering, AI model training, or high-fidelity gaming but want to maintain a small primary footprint.

For a deep dive into real-world performance benchmarks, including gaming and creative application tests with an eGPU, the comprehensive analysis over at Notebookcheck is an essential read: Asus NUC 15 Pro review: High-end performance with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H in a mini PC.

Living with the Pro+: Strengths and Considerations

Asus deserves praise for the user-friendly, tool-less design that allows quick upgrades to RAM and SSD—a critical feature for professionals planning their upgrade path. The BIOS also offers extensive tuning options, including detailed fan control curves.

However, no system is perfect. Under sustained, heavy multicore load, the cooling system has to work hard. While effective at keeping temperatures in check, the fans become clearly audible, a trade-off for packing such high performance into a sub-1.5-liter volume. For a quiet office environment, this is worth noting, though the noise level is typical for a system in this performance class.

Final Verdict: A Compact Titan for the Discerning User

So, who is the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ for? It’s the ideal core for architects, engineers, content creators, and developers who value a clean, minimal desk setup but refuse to sacrifice performance. It’s a future-proof investment that can scale with your needs, especially with the eGPU option.

Ready to experience this new class of compact computing power? The Asus NUC 15 Pro+ is available for purchase now. You can check the latest pricing and configuration options on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/48TvWym.

In conclusion, the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ successfully carries the NUC torch into a new era. It proves that mini PCs can be powerful, professional, and pragmatic, making the traditional bulky tower desktop look increasingly outdated.