ASUS NUC 15 Pro+

Updated on June 23, 2026

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ is the flagship of ASUS's 2025 NUC lineup, taking the compact 0.7-liter chassis that defined the NUC line and pairing it with Intel's Arrow Lake Core Ultra processors (Series 2). Built around the Core Ultra 9 285H at the top end, with Core Ultra 7 255H and Core Ultra 5 225H options below it, this is a machine aimed squarely at users who want serious multi-core performance without a tower on their desk. The "Plus" designation matters here: this is the slim, premium model with PCIe 5.0 storage, WiFi 7, and dual Thunderbolt 4, sitting a tier above the standard ASUS NUC 15 Pro. Whether you are building a home lab, running a development workstation, or shopping for a Windows alternative to the Mac mini, the NUC 15 Pro+ delivers desktop-class throughput in a footprint that disappears behind a monitor. It carries forward the toolless design philosophy that made the ASUS NUC 14 Pro so easy to live with.

Pros and Cons of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+

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ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Comparison Chart

	ASUS NUC 15 Pro+	ASUS NUC 15 Pro+	ASUS NUC 15 Pro+	ASUS NUC 15 Pro+	ASUS NUC 15 Pro+
Price	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Version	Barebones/Core Ultra 9 285H	Barebones/Core Ultra 7 255H	Barebones/Core Ultra 5 225H	32GB/1TB/Core Ultra 7 255H	16GB/512GB/Core Ultra 5 225H
Performance Rating	9.4	8.7	8.0	9.3	8.0
Operating System	No OS	No OS	No OS	Windows 11 Pro	Windows 11 Pro
Processor	Sixteen-core 3.70 Ghz (max 5.40 Ghz) Intel Core Ultra 9 285H	Sixteen-core 2.00 Ghz (max 5.10 Ghz) Intel Core Ultra 7 255H	Fourteen-core 1.70 Ghz (max 4.90 Ghz) Intel Core Ultra 5 225H	Sixteen-core 2.00 Ghz (max 5.10 Ghz) Intel Core Ultra 7 255H	Fourteen-core 1.70 Ghz (max 4.90 Ghz) Intel Core Ultra 5 225H
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc 140T	Integrated Intel Arc 140T	Integrated Intel Arc 130T	Integrated Intel Arc 140T	Integrated Intel Arc 130T
RAM	0 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2-channel (Up to 96GB DDR5-5600)	0 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2-channel (Up to 96GB DDR5-5600)	0 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2-channel (Up to 96GB DDR5-5600)	32 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2-channel	16 GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2-channel
Internal Storage	0 GB None (Barebones)	0 GB None (Barebones)	0 GB None (Barebones)	1 TB NVMe SSD	512 GB NVMe SSD
Dimensions width x length x thickness	5.67 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches (144.02 x 112.01 x 41.91 mm)	5.67 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches (144.02 x 112.01 x 41.91 mm)	5.67 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches (144.02 x 112.01 x 41.91 mm)	5.67 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches (144.02 x 112.01 x 41.91 mm)	5.67 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches (144.02 x 112.01 x 41.91 mm)
Weight	1.32 lbs (0.6 kg)	1.32 lbs (0.6 kg)	1.32 lbs (0.6 kg)	1.32 lbs (0.6 kg)	1.32 lbs (0.6 kg)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4
Ethernet	1 Ethernet port at 2.5 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 2.5 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 2.5 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 2.5 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 2.5 Gbps
HDMI	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports
DisplayPort	DP 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4; up to 4x 4K displays	DP 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4; up to 4x 4K displays	DP 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4; up to 4x 4K displays	DP 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4; up to 4x 4K displays	DP 2.1 via Thunderbolt 4; up to 4x 4K displays
VGA	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps). Rear: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps). Rear: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps). Rear: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps). Rear: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0	1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20Gbps). Rear: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 2.0
Thunderbolt Ports	2	2	2	2	2
OCuLink	No	No	No	No	No
Internal SATA Ports	No SATA ports	No SATA ports	No SATA ports	No SATA ports	No SATA ports
Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader
Headphone Jack	none	none	none	none	none
Fanless	No	No	No	No	No
VESA Mount	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
In the Box	Mini PC, AC adapter with power cord, VESA bracket and screws, warranty card	Mini PC, AC adapter with power cord, VESA bracket and screws, warranty card	Mini PC, AC adapter with power cord, VESA bracket and screws, warranty card	Mini PC, AC adapter with power cord, VESA bracket and screws, warranty card	Mini PC, AC adapter with power cord, VESA bracket and screws, warranty card
Expandability	2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB, DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM). 2x M.2: 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 + 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4. Toolless chassis access.	2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB, DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM). 2x M.2: 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 + 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4. Toolless chassis access.	2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB, DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM). 2x M.2: 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 + 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4. Toolless chassis access.	2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB, DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM). 2x M.2: 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 + 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4. Toolless chassis access.	2x DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB, DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM). 2x M.2: 2280 PCIe 5.0 x4 + 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4. Toolless chassis access.

Detailed Insights into the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+

The NUC 15 Pro+ measures 5.67 by 4.41 by 1.65 inches and weighs roughly 1.3 pounds, keeping the slim, low-profile silhouette that distinguishes the Plus model from the taller standard NUC 15 Pro. The chassis is a toolless silver aluminum design: a latch releases the bottom panel so you can reach the two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and dual M.2 slots without a screwdriver, and owners single out the tool-free design as a genuinely clever touch, with one describing a memory and M.2 install done "in less than a minute." The front panel carries a 20Gbps USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen2x2) flanked by two 10Gbps USB-A ports and the power button, while the rear hosts the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, an additional USB-A, a USB 2.0 port, two HDMI outputs, and the 2.5-gigabit Ethernet jack. One notable omission is the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack, so headphone and speaker connections rely on USB, HDMI, or Bluetooth.

At the heart of the flagship configuration is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, a 16-core, 16-thread Arrow Lake processor that boosts to 5.4GHz and scores roughly 34,500 on the PassMark CPU benchmark. That puts it well ahead of the previous-generation NUC 14 Pro and into territory where 4K video timeline scrubbing, heavy multitasking, and software development with dozens of browser tabs feel effortless. The integrated Intel Arc 140T graphics handle media playback, hardware-accelerated encoding, and light creative work, and the processor's NPU enables on-device AI features, though as with most integrated solutions this is not a gaming GPU. Some owners run Ubuntu on it for programming and home automation, though Linux results are mixed in early reports, with some citing successful operation and others hitting hardware issues. One owner reported installing 128GB of memory (two 64GB SO-DIMMs, beyond the official 96GB rating) and a 4TB NVMe drive for a "blazing fast" Windows 11 Pro setup.

Connectivity is current across the board. The machine ships with WiFi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4, while the wired side uses Intel's I226-V controller for 2.5-gigabit Ethernet. The dual Thunderbolt 4 ports support DisplayPort 2.1 alt mode, and combined with the two HDMI outputs the NUC 15 Pro+ can drive up to four displays, with owners reporting 8K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt. Storage expansion is generous for the size: the primary M.2 2280 slot runs at PCIe 5.0 x4 for the fastest current drives, and a second M.2 2242 slot at PCIe 4.0 x4 adds capacity. Memory tops out at 96GB across the two SO-DIMM slots, enough headroom for virtualization or large in-memory workloads.

Reviewer Insights on the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+

Video coverage of the NUC 15 Pro+ has been enthusiastic about its raw speed. Robtech framed the launch around performance, billing it as the fastest Intel mini PC available at the time of release and walking through the chassis, upgrade process, and thermals. The Geeky Ricky reaches a similar conclusion, describing the system as a compact powerhouse, while Gearvlog with Mike puts the Arrow Lake silicon through a dedicated benchmark run. The embedded video reviews above are the best place to see the hardware in motion and hear each reviewer's hands-on impressions.

Across this video coverage the consensus is consistent: the NUC 15 Pro+ is a standout performer for its size, and the main reservations are about price positioning and the usual integrated-graphics gaming ceiling rather than the core hardware.

Customer Reviews of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+

Across 50 ratings on Amazon, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ averages 4.2 stars, with 56 percent at five stars and a smaller cluster (about 15 percent) at one or two. Buyers who liked it kept returning to two things: raw speed and how easy it is to add your own RAM and SSD on this barebones unit. A verified buyer wrote "Easy memory and M2 installation -- no tools; flip it over, open the latch, insert the memory and M2 drive in less than a minute," and verified buyer Brad Barnburner described "Performance is Immediate Boot Up with no B.S."

Not every experience was smooth. The recurring complaint is firmware and stability rather than the hardware itself. Verified buyer Ken Oberle gave it two stars, writing it is "Good... when it works" but that "Asus and Microsoft need to put their heads together to straighten out the firmware issues with it," citing "nonstop hardware issues from not being able to sleep or wake properly." Verified buyer Tim, otherwise "mostly happy," noted it "took a couple weeks for it to stabilize." A one-star buyer reported the opposite of the unit's quiet billing, calling it an "extremely over heating product." If you want a small, fast, upgradeable machine and are comfortable installing your own memory, drive, and OS, the reviews lean positive, but it is worth budgeting time to settle in the firmware and driver updates.

Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Conclusion

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ is the most capable mini PC ASUS has shipped under the NUC banner so far, and it earns the "Plus" name through genuine hardware advantages: the Core Ultra 9 285H, a PCIe 5.0 storage slot, WiFi 7, and dual Thunderbolt 4 in a chassis small enough to hide behind a monitor. For professionals who need a quiet desktop replacement, developers running local workloads, or home lab builders who want plenty of memory and fast storage in a tiny package, it is an easy machine to recommend. The toolless design and broad CPU range, from the Core Ultra 5 225H up to the Core Ultra 9 285H, mean you can match the configuration to your budget and workload.

That said, this is a premium product and it expects you to treat it like one. If you rely on a wired headset jack, want dual high-speed Ethernet, or plan to game on integrated graphics, look elsewhere or budget for a Thunderbolt eGPU. The firmware quirks a minority of owners report are worth researching against your intended operating system before buying. Shoppers cross-shopping the Mac mini for a Windows or Linux workstation should also weigh the Mac mini M4 on price and platform fit.

For those comparing options, Starry Hope's Mini PC Comparison Chart is a useful way to evaluate the ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ against other mini PCs in its class.

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