ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9, 32GB, 1TB) Review: Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 in a 689 Gram Box
The ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ squeezes an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, 32 GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600 in SODIMM form (up to 96 GB), a 1 TB PCIe Gen5 x4 SSD, Arc 140T graphics and an Intel AI Boost NPU into a 112 x 144 x 42 mm aluminum chassis. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 make connectivity its strong suit. It ships with Windows 11 Pro, a VESA mount and a three year warranty. The trade-offs are an external 120W adapter and no audio output of any kind: no headphone jack, speakers or microphone.
- Desk workstations in small spaces
- Multi-monitor setups
- Local AI with an NPU
- Behind-the-monitor VESA installs
Pros
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285H with Arc 140T graphics and an Intel AI Boost NPU
- 32 GB DDR5-5600 dual channel, up to 96 GB
- 1 TB PCIe Gen5 x4 SSD
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1
- 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Aluminum chassis at 689 g with a VESA mount included
- Three year warranty
- Kensington lock slot
Cons
- External 120W power adapter
- Integrated graphics only
- No headphone jack, speakers or microphone
- No SD card reader or fingerprint sensor
- No HDMI cable included
Who is the NUC 15 Pro+ for?
It suits someone who wants a high-end Intel Core Ultra 9 machine that mounts behind a monitor with the included VESA bracket and takes little desk space at 689 grams. The NPU and Arc 140T graphics also serve local AI and creative work, and 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 cover wired and wireless networks. A Kensington lock slot adds physical security in shared spaces.
What the specification delivers
Memory is 32 GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600 in SODIMM slots, with a ceiling of 96 GB. Storage is a 1 TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen5 x4 SSD. Graphics come from Intel Arc 140T alongside an Intel AI Boost NPU. Video output includes two HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The remaining ports are one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and one USB 2.0 Type-A, and wireless is Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201 with Bluetooth 5.4. The chassis is aluminum, cooled by what ASUS calls an ultra-quiet cooling design.
What to know before you buy
Power comes from an external 19V, 6.32A, 120W adapter, so there is no built-in supply. The sheet lists no 3.5 mm headphone jack, no speakers and no microphone, plus no SD card reader and no fingerprint sensor. No HDMI cable is included. Graphics are integrated Intel Arc 140T, and the USB4 column is empty, with Thunderbolt 4 covering high-speed connections instead.
Is the NUC 15 Pro+ worth it?
The case for it is the combination: a top Core Ultra 9 processor, Gen5 storage, DDR5 memory you can expand to 96 GB, dual Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7 and a three year warranty, all preinstalled with Windows 11 Pro. If you need audio outputs or a discrete GPU, plan for an external solution or look at the other mini PCs in this category.
Frequently asked questions
How many video outputs does the NUC 15 Pro+ have?
Two HDMI 2.1 outputs, DisplayPort 2.1 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Can I upgrade the memory?
Memory is DDR5 SODIMM at 5600 MT/s. This configuration has 32 GB, and the maximum is 96 GB.
Does it have a headphone jack or speakers?
No. The sheet lists no 3.5 mm jack, no speakers and no microphone.
Does it come with an operating system?
Yes, Windows 11 Pro, and a VESA mount is included for attaching it behind a monitor.
How long is the warranty?
Three years.
