Asus NUC 14 Pro+ Review — Asus delivered everything I wanted with their first NUC

The Asus NUC 14 Pro+ is a powerful, compact computing solution that pushes the boundaries of what a mini-PC can achieve. With its impressive specifications, sleek design, and versatile features, it stands out as an ideal choice for professionals and tech enthusiasts looking for a reliable and efficient machine.

Design and Build

The first thing that catches your eye with the Asus NUC 14 Pro+ is its sleek and minimalist design. Encased in a sturdy, but attractive chassis, this mini-PC presents with a visual sophistication. Its compact size, measuring just 5 x 4 x 2 inches, makes it an excellent fit for any workspace, whether it’s a cluttered office desk or a minimalist home setup. The build quality is exceptional, with no creaks or flexes, indicating a well-engineered product that’s designed to last.

Under the hood, the Asus NUC 14 Pro+ packs an impressive punch. It is powered by up to (depending on the SKU you choose) Intel Core Ultra i9 processor and up to 96GB of DDR5 5600 memory; a combination very capable of running just about anything you throw at it. When you add in the a high-speed NVMe SSD, ensures that the NUC 14 Pro can tackle anything from heavy multitasking to resource-intensive applications like video editing and 3D rendering. The inclusion of Intel Arc Graphics further enhances its capabilities, providing smooth performance for light gaming — it managed on low detail for Diablo IV — and graphic design work.

The system boots and is ready for use in seconds, with applications loading just as quickly; it really was just a positive user experience from the start and was an absolute joy to use for productivity tasks. Impressively, the NUC 14 Pro also remains cool and quiet under load, thanks to its efficient cooling system, which uses a combination of heat pipes and fans to dissipate heat effectively.

One cautionary tale of small form factor PCs is that with smaller size, often comes some sacrifice often that of connectivity. That being said, one of the standout features of the Asus NUC 14 Pro is its extensive connectivity options. Despite its small form factor, it sports what can only be described as a generous array of ports. On the front, you’ll find two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and a USB 3.2 Type C port. The rear panel houses two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB2.0 Type-A ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and a Two Thunderbolt 4 ports. This extensive connectivity ensures that you can connect multiple peripherals and external displays without any hassle.

For those that need, or want it; there’s Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6e onboard giving you plenty of flexibility in what you connect as well as how.

The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is very welcome, allowing for blazing-fast data transfer speeds and support for external GPUs, which can significantly enhance the NUC 14 Pro’s graphics performance if it’s needed. Additionally, as already mentioned, the dual HDMI ports enable easy multi-monitor setups, making it a perfect choice for productivity enthusiasts who rely on multiple screens for their workflow.

The Asus NUC 14 Pro+ offers impressive storage options and even — thanks to the reducing physical size of storage — some expandability. It comes with a pre-installed NVMe SSD, which not only provides ample storage space but also ensures lightning-fast read and write speeds. For users who require even more storage, there’s an additional M.2 slot for another SSD, allowing for easy upgrades. The ability to expand storage is a significant advantage, as it ensures that the NUC 14 Pro can keep up with the growing demands of users over time.

Furthermore, the RAM is user-upgradable, up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. This level of expandability is rare in mini-PCs and adds to the longevity of the device, as users can easily upgrade the components as needed to maintain optimal performance.

The Asus NUC 14 Pro+ comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed which takes full advantage of the hardware’s capabilities. The integration of Windows 11’s features, such as improved multitasking, virtual desktops, and enhanced security, makes it a pleasure to use for both work and play.

Asus also includes its suite of utilities, such as MyASUS, which offers various tools for system optimisation, diagnostics, and access to customer support. The software experience across the board is smooth and intuitive, ensuring that users can get the most out of their mini-PC without any unnecessary bloatware.

While the Asus NUC 14 Pro is primarily designed for productivity, it is very capable in the multimedia and entertainment department. The Intel Arc Graphics, coupled with the powerful CPU, resulted in ulstra-smooth playback of 4K videos and — I have Gigabit FTTP through Leaptel — seamless streaming. It handles multimedia tasks effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for a home theater setup or as a media centre.

For light gaming, the NUC 14 Pro performs admirably. While it may not be a replacement for a dedicated gaming rig, it can run some popular titles at moderate settings with acceptable frame rates. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 also means that users have the option to connect an external GPU for a more robust gaming experience, further enhancing the versatility of this mini-PC.

I used this daily for a month and loved it

As part of the testing for this unit, I had it on my desk for a month and loved it. The combination of the size, speed, quiet operation, power efficiency and connectivity made it an absolute pleasure to use. Being able to boot in seconds means I wasn’t waiting and wasting time; it improved my productivity.

Then you’ve got to consider the price: You can pick up the kit (barebones – you choose the storage, ram etc) for about $1300.00 from a few locations, so for a desktop system you’re realistically looking at $1700 and up by the time you kit it out.

I mentioned earlier, there are sacrifices when you enter a specific niche market and in this case; shrinking your PC footprint without losing performance costs money!

When it comes to value for money, the Asus NUC 14 Pro+ isn’t for everyone, but it excels at what it does. Its combination of performance, extensive connectivity, and expandability options make it a standout choice in the mini-PC market. While it may have a higher price point compared to some of its competitors, the features and capabilities it offers — in my eyes at least — justify the investment. For professionals and enthusiasts looking for a compact yet powerful computing solution, the NUC 14 Pro+ delivers everything you need.

The expandability and upgradability options ensure that the NUC 14 Pro can adapt to the changing needs of users, providing longevity and value for money. Whether you’re looking for a powerful desktop replacement, a media center, or a compact workstation, the Asus NUC 14 Pro is an excellent choice that will exceed your expectations. With its impressive performance, sleek design, and versatile features, it is one of the best mini-PCs available on the market today.