Updated November 2026
Data from the official Asus and Geekom sites.
2026 verdict
A flagship Intel NUC against Geekom's top AMD box: the Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) wins on price and storage, its 2TB SSD doubling the 1TB drive in the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB), all on an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS with Radeon 780M graphics.
The NUC counters with a higher owner rating, though it's built on a much smaller review sample than the well-reviewed A8 Max. Memory is identical on both sides, 32GB of DDR5-5600, and each includes an NPU and an aluminum chassis backed by a 3-year warranty. Where they really diverge is ports: the NUC brings Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort 2.1 for advanced multi-monitor setups, while the A8 Max answers with more USB Type-A ports, dual 2.5G Ethernet, an SD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. Pick the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) for pro-grade video output; pick the Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) for more storage, everyday ports and a lower price.
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| Feature | NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) | Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 | 3.8 | NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) |
| Storage Capacity | 1 TB | 2 TB | Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) |
| CPU Model | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel Arc 140T | AMD Radeon Graphics 780M | Different strengths |
| NPU Model | NPU Intel AI Boost | AMD XDNA AI Engine | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | Tie |
| Memory Configuration | Dual-channel | Dual-channel | Tie |
| Memory Type | DDR5 | DDR5 | Tie |
| Memory Speed | 5600 MT/s | 5600 MT/s | Tie |
| Memory Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB | Tie |
$1974.62
- + Rating: 5.0
- - Storage Capacity: 1 TB vs 2 TB
Winner
- + Storage Capacity: 2 TB
- - Rating: 3.8 vs 5.0
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) or Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9)?
The Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) wins on price and storage, doubling the NUC's SSD to 2TB. The NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) counters with a higher owner rating, though based on a smaller review sample.
What is the biggest difference between NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) and Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9)?
Storage capacity and video ports. The A8 Max ships a 2TB SSD versus the NUC's 1TB, while the NUC uniquely offers Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort 2.1 for advanced multi-monitor setups.
Is the memory the same on both?
Yes, both the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) and the Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) ship with 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory, so the comparison comes down to storage, ports and CPU platform.
Which has better everyday connectivity?
The Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9), which adds an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, dual 2.5G Ethernet and more USB Type-A ports than the NUC, which prioritizes Thunderbolt and DisplayPort instead.
Who should buy NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)?
Choose the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) if you need Thunderbolt 4 or DisplayPort 2.1 for pro-grade multi-monitor setups, and 1TB of storage is enough for your workload.
Who should buy Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9)?
Choose the Geekom A8 Max (Ryzen 9) if you want double the storage, more everyday ports like an SD slot and audio jack, and a lower price than the NUC.
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