Despite the rather specific format, ASUS has been producing the Next Unit of Computing (NUC) mini-PC for several years, which in 2023 completely moved from Intel to the ASUS business portfolio. And it already has a wide range, starting from relatively simple office options and ending with gaming ones from the ROG line, as well as protected industrial models. Today we will talk in detail about the ASUS NUC 15 Pro, which is aimed at business users and working with AI. The model offers quite productive configurations with Intel Core Ultra AI processors (Series 2) and a good set of connectors in a compact case.
Specifications of ASUS NUC 15 Pro
| Processor | Intel Core i7-2600H |
| Graphics | Intel Arc 140T |
| Memory | 2xSO-DIMM, up to 96 GB. 2x48GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM, or 2x48GB DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM |
| Storage device | 1x M.2 2280 slot PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe SSD, 1x M.2 2242 Slot PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD |
| Wireless module | Intel Wi-Fi 7 Intel BE201, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| LAN | Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V, 2.5G |
| Audio | Built into the chipset |
| Ports | USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, Kensington Lock, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (DisplayPort 2.1), USB 2.0 Type-A, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS Compatible), RJ-45 LAN |
| Power supply | 19 V, 6.32 A, 120 W |
| Dimensions | 117 x 112 x 54 mm |
| Weight | 600 g |
| Estimated cost in Ukraine | 40,550 UAH |
Package contents
The ASUS NUC 15 Pro comes in a not-so-large white and blue box. It features the mini PC itself, the ASUS, Intel, NUC logos, and all the basic information you need.
In addition to the PC itself, the kit includes a 120W power supply, a power cable, a VESA bracket with screws for mounting on the monitor, a removable power cable retainer, and documentation.
Design, interior and exterior layout
ASUS NUC 15 Pro has very compact dimensions and a very neutral appearance. The mini-PC is available in two versions: the most compact NUC15CRK-B and the slightly taller NUC15CRH-B. The latter version was reviewed. Its feature is the ability to add certain modules, but more on that later.
Externally, the case is made entirely of matte black plastic. Only the frame around the perimeter of the top cover is glossy. And, interestingly, there is no decorative element on it. There is not even an ASUS logo. There are only connector markings.
The front panel has a power button with an LED, one USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2x2, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports.
The side panels are almost completely covered with ventilation holes in the form of bee slots. The only difference is that a Kensington lock slot is also placed on the left edge.
On the back panel are ventilation holes, two HDMI 2.1 ports capable of working with a resolution of 4K at a frequency of 60 Hz, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (with support for DisplayPort 2.1 and USB4), one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 2.0 port and a 2.5G Ethernet port using the Intel I226-V controller. Below is an expansion slot with a plug. With it, you can add another M.2 2280 SSD slot, another 2.5G LAN, or 2.5G LAN with RS232 Serial Port. The latter can be useful in the corporate sector.
On the bottom of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro there are 4 rubber feet, 4 brackets for third-party mounts, 2 holes for the two included screws for the VESA bracket, and a small lever that opens the mini PC. This lever moves a spring-loaded latch inside, and the cover is secured with two hinges. So, no screwdriver is needed.
Now let's take a look inside. The bottom cover is metal inside. It has two radiators with thermal pads for SSD drives.
The ASUS NUC 15 Pro is sold as a Barebone, meaning the mini PC comes without storage or RAM. ASUS has simplified the design as much as possible so that the user can quickly and easily install the RAM and storage without using screwdrivers or other tools.
Inside there are two SO-DIMM slots for RAM, as well as two storage connectors. One M.2 2242 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x 4, which is secured with a plastic black pin instead of a screw.
Another slot is for M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 5.0 x 4, it is located above the Intel BE201 network adapter. The adapter is secured with an unusual screw, at the top of which there is a rotating plastic Q-Latch (blue), with which the SSD is fixed. When the cover is closed, both drives are pressed by radiators with thermal pads.
ASUS NUC 15 Pro has a very convenient and easy-to-use design that allows you to upgrade your PC quickly, easily and without tools. The dimensions of the model in the review are only 117x112x54 mm, and the weight is 600 g. It takes up a minimum of space on the desk. And the ability to hang it on the back of the monitor allows you to further optimize the workspace.
ASUS NUC 15 Pro hardware platform
The test configuration has an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor from the Arrow Lake family inside. It includes 16 cores: 6 productive cores with a frequency of 2-5.1 GHz, 8 so-called "efficient" 1.5-4.4 GHz and two low-power ultra-energy-efficient cores 0.7-2.5 GHz, cache — 24 MB. Hyper-Threading is not supported. Based on the information on the Intel website, the base TDP level is 28 W, the maximum — 115 W. In the case of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro, the maximum TDP level is declared at 40 W. The Intel AI Boost neural processor has a maximum performance of TOPS 13.
The integrated graphics accelerator — Intel Arc 140T has 8 Xe cores, a maximum frequency of 2.25 GHz and a maximum theoretical performance of 74 TOPS. This is a fairly productive solution (of course, among integrated ones), so tasks such as basic photo and video processing, or even modeling in a conventional Blender, are quite capable of it. But it is important to note: for the full operation of the Intel Arc 140T, two RAM slots are required. With one, we only have basic graphics performance. Given the available connectors, up to four 4K monitors can be connected to the ASUS NUC 15 Pro at the same time.
The communication capabilities of the mini PC are represented by the Intel BE201 wireless adapter with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. As well as the wired Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V with speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. As already mentioned above, it is possible to add another Ethernet, or Ethernet and a serial RS232 port using additional expansion modules.
ASUS NUC 15 Pro has two SO-DIMM slots, the maximum amount of RAM is 96 GB. Two 48GB DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM strips, or two 48GB DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM strips. For testing, two Crucial DDR5-5200 CL42-42-42 1.1V strips with a capacity of 32 GB each were used.
The mini PC has one M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 5.0 x 4 SSD slot with support from 128 GB to 8 TB. And one M.2 2242 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x 4 SSD with a capacity of 128 GB to 2 TB. But it is worth noting that PCIe 5.0 support is only available in configurations with Intel Core Ultra. You can add another M.2 2280 using an expansion module. For testing, a Goodram PX600 1TB M.2 2280 with a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface was installed.
The editorial team expresses its gratitude to the company Artline for kindly providing the RAM and storage for review.
Performance and cooling
All performance tests were conducted in maximum performance mode. Unlike laptops, in PCs the operating mode is configured in the BIOS. In this case, the maximum performance mode can be selected only when the cooling system is operating at maximum mode. Considering such a compact format, the ASUS NUC 15 Pro demonstrates quite high performance, especially in processor tests:
At the same time, according to HWiNFO64, the maximum power was almost 45 W, which is even slightly more than the declared 40:
The Intel Arc 140T graphics accelerator also performed very well, of course in its category of integrated solutions. This is not the level of discrete video adapters, rendering a complex 3D model is not a great option, but for many, not too difficult tasks it is enough.
This has no direct relation to the ASUS NUC 15 Pro. But it wouldn't hurt to measure the speed of the Goodram PX600 drive:
ASUS NUC 15 Pro is a business model, but no one said that this excludes the possibility of playing something. Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order on medium settings runs at a frame rate of about 50 FPS. Dead Space Remake — about 40 FPS on medium settings. The Ascent on high settings without ray tracing — 50 FPS. All games were launched in FullHD.
The ASUS NUC 15 Pro cooling system includes two heat pipes, one fan with a hydrodynamic bearing and many ventilation holes. In idle mode, CO is not audible, and the processor temperature is on average 45°. In maximum performance mode, the cooling system works quite quietly. The noise level is no higher than that of good ultraportable laptops. And the case remains completely cold. In the AIDA64 stress test, the maximum temperature was 89, and the average was about 85. The PC works stably, there is no throttling. At the same time, the power is on average 50 W.
