NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) vs Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB) comparison

Updated June 2026

Data from Amazon and official Asus and Apple sites.

2026 verdict

Two premium mini PCs, one clear memory gap: the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB) wins overall on its 48GB of unified LPDDR5X, outrunning the 32GB of DDR5 inside the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB). The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H-powered NUC counters with a lower price, a higher owner rating from a fairly small review sample, and a 3-year warranty against the Mac mini's single year. Both machines share a 1TB SSD, so storage is not a factor, and video I/O is closely matched too, the NUC pairs dual Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 while the Mac mini answers with triple Thunderbolt 5 and its own DisplayPort 2.1. The clearest divide is software, Windows 11 Pro on the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) against macOS on the Mac mini. Pick the Mac mini for the fastest unified memory and Apple's ecosystem; pick the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) for Windows compatibility, a lower price and longer warranty coverage.

Asus

NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)

$1899.00

Buy on Amazon USA

Winner

Apple

Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)

$2199.00

Buy on Amazon USA

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Feature	NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)	Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)	Winner
Price	$1899.00	$2199.00	NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
Rating	5.0	4.4	NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
Warranty	3 years	1 year	NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
Memory Type	DDR5	LPDDR5X	Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)
Memory Speed	5600 MT/s	8533 MT/s	Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)
Memory Capacity	32 GB	48 GB	Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)
CPU Model	Intel Core Ultra 9 285H	M4 Pro	Different strengths
Memory Configuration	Dual-channel	Unified Memory	Different strengths
GPU Model	Intel Arc 140T	16-core GPU	Different strengths
NPU Model	NPU Intel AI Boost	16-core Neural Engine	Different strengths
Storage Capacity	1 TB	1 TB	Tie

Asus

NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)

$1899.00

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $1899.00
+ Rating: 5.0
+ Warranty: 3 years
- Memory Type: DDR5 vs LPDDR5X
- Memory Speed: 5600 MT/s vs 8533 MT/s

Winner

Apple

Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 48GB + 1TB)

$2199.00

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Memory Type: LPDDR5X
+ Memory Speed: 8533 MT/s
+ Memory Capacity: 48 GB
- Price: $2199.00 vs $1899.00
- Rating: 4.4 vs 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall, the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) or the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB)?

The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB) wins overall thanks to its larger, faster unified memory. The NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) is the better pick if price, warranty and Windows compatibility matter more to you.

What is the biggest difference between the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB)?

Memory and operating system. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB) runs 48GB of unified LPDDR5X on macOS, while the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) runs 32GB of DDR5 on Windows 11 Pro with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor.

Do both support Thunderbolt?

Yes. The NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) has two Thunderbolt 4 ports plus DisplayPort 2.1, while the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB) offers three Thunderbolt 5 ports and its own DisplayPort 2.1 output.

Which has the longer warranty?

The NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB) does, with three years of coverage against the single year backing the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB).

Who should buy the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)?

Buyers who want Windows compatibility, a lower price and a longer warranty should choose the NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB).

Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB)?

Buyers who need macOS, more unified memory or the fastest Thunderbolt bandwidth should choose the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 40GB - 1TB).

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