Small, powerful but not cheap: the new Asus mini-Pc

The Asus Nuc 15 Pro+ is a high-performance mini-PC the size of a university textbook. One would be quicker to say for whom it is not suitable: for those who want an inexpensive computer, because it is not a cheap machine, and for those who want an ultra-high-end gamer PC (without an external GPU it is better to leave it alone). When subjected to heavy workloads it stops being very quiet. For everyone else, however, this device with an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor and next-generation Intel ARC graphics promises pleasant surprises. First and foremost, it reaches up to 99 TOPS and thus you can use the most advanced artificial intelligence features.

Thus it can be used for 4K video editing, RAW photography, 3D design and animation. The high performance of the Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and extensive RAM support (up to 96 GB DDR5) allow you to work with heavy streams in Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop or Blender.

It is also suitable for software developers, data scientists, analysts or CAD engineers: Thunderbolt 4 connections, Wi-Fi 7 and the ability to connect up to four 4K displays make it suitable for multitasking work environments. So we have two Thunderbolt 4, two HDMI 2.1, three 10 Gbps USB-A, one 20 Gbps USB-C, one USB 2.0 and 2.5G LAN. A 3.5 mm audio jack is missing.

We tested a version with Intel U9-285H, 32GB, 1TB , Win 11 Pro (€999, 99) together with the ASUS Zenscreen MB27ACF, which is a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS transportable display. You can rest it on your desk thanks to a foot, otherwise you can use the supplied bracket. It weighs 3 kg and is less than 3 centimetres thick, making it a sensible 'combo' with the Nuc, as it makes the combination as portable as a notebook. The mini-PC can also power the monitor via a USB-C cable, making only one power outlet necessary and limiting the use of cables.

Testing the facts, therefore, if you are a professional, you will have no problem; if you are a photographer, the machine goes under stress but still runs smoothly. Well, both silent during daily use, the fan tends to become noticeably louder under heavy workloads (such as video rendering or intensive benchmarks), due to the need to dissipate the heat of the powerful processors in such a limited space. Even on the gaming side, if you have cloud subscriptions such as Game Pass or GeForce, it is just fine. The price remains the real and only problem. The ASUS Nuc 15 PRO+ is sold in Italy as a barebone version, so you can customise it to suit your needs in terms of memory, OS and RAM. Prices start at 689.99 euros with U5 225H.