Asus has announced a launch event for May 15, 2026, hinting at a refreshed ROG NUC mini PC that may feature a Core Ultra 200HX Plus CPU and an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, alongside a redesigned stand and more aggressive branding.

Asus teases imminent release of new ROG NUC gaming mini PC

Asus has officially posted a series of teaser images on its Weibo channel, confirming a launch event in China on May 15, 2026. The visual clues point to a refreshed ROG NUC gaming mini‑PC, a product that already earned solid marks in our 2025 review. While the company has kept most specifications under wraps, the teasers reveal enough to form a realistic expectation of what the new model will bring.

Featured image – Asus teases the upcoming ROG NUC launch

What’s new?

Simplified stand – The render shows a low‑profile cradle that supports the chassis without the screw‑on mechanism used on the 2025 ROG NUC 15. This should make placement on desks or shelves quicker and reduce the risk of overtightening.
Potential CPU bump – Leaks suggest the refreshed unit could ship with Intel’s Core Ultra 200HX Plus series. Benchmarks released for the 200HX Plus indicate an average 5‑8 % uplift over the 200HX used in the 2025 model, mainly in single‑core gaming workloads.
GPU upgrade path – The top‑end configuration may receive the Nvidia RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, a step up from the RTX 5080 that capped the previous generation. Early power‑draw figures for the RTX 5090 show a modest 10 W increase, which could translate to roughly 6‑9 % higher rasterization performance at 1080p‑1440p.
Bolder branding – The chassis mock‑up features larger ROG insignia and a subtle back‑lit logo strip, hinting at a more aggressive visual identity.
Additional ROG products – One of the teaser images hints at a completely new product category under the ROG umbrella, though details remain speculative.

The new ROG NUC mini PC teaser (machine translated)

How it compares to the 2025 ROG NUC 15

Feature	2025 ROG NUC 15	Expected 2026 Refresh
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 200HX (8 cores, 2.8 GHz boost)	Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus (8 cores, up to 3.0 GHz boost)
GPU	Nvidia RTX 5080 Laptop GPU (8 GB GDDR6)	Nvidia RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (8 GB GDDR6)
RAM	32 GB DDR5‑5600 (dual‑channel)	32 GB DDR5‑5600 (potential 64 GB option)
Storage	1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD	1 TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD (optional 2 TB)
Cooling	Dual‑fan vapor‑chamber with copper heat pipes	Refined vapor‑chamber, possibly a third micro‑fan for the RTX 5090
Dimensions	210 × 210 × 78 mm	Similar footprint, stand redesign only
Price (rumored)	US$2,699 (base) – US$3,399 (RTX 5080)	Likely US$2,799 – US$3,699 depending on GPU

The most tangible changes are the CPU stepping and the GPU jump. In our 2025 review, the RTX 5080 delivered ≈ 115 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, 1080p). The RTX 5090 is projected to push that figure into the ≈ 125 fps range, a modest but meaningful gain for competitive players.

Who should care?

Hardcore e‑sports enthusiasts who need a compact system that can still hit high frame rates in titles like Valorant or Counter‑Strike 2. The RTX 5090’s extra rasterization headroom will keep the mini PC viable for tournament‑level performance.
Content creators with limited desk space. The new stand and unchanged chassis dimensions mean the unit fits comfortably on a typical workstation while still offering a full‑size GPU.
Enthusiasts who value aesthetics. The larger ROG logo and optional back‑lit strip give the machine a distinct visual cue that matches other ROG peripherals.
Anyone looking for a portable gaming rig. At under 1 kg, the refreshed NUC can be moved between rooms or taken on short trips without sacrificing desktop‑class power.

If you are satisfied with the 2025 model’s performance and price, you may not need to upgrade immediately. However, the CPU and GPU improvements, coupled with a faster PCIe 5.0 SSD slot, make the 2026 refresh a compelling option for users who want the latest graphics pipeline and a bit more future‑proofing.

What to watch for at the May 15 event

Official specifications – Confirmation of the Core Ultra 200HX Plus and RTX 5090 details, including TDP limits and clock speeds.
Pricing tiers – Whether Asus will introduce a mid‑range configuration with a lower‑tier GPU (e.g., RTX 5080) to broaden the market.
The mysterious new ROG product – One teaser image shows a silhouette that does not resemble a laptop or desktop. Keep an eye on announcements for a possible handheld or modular accessory.
Availability windows – Pre‑order dates, regional launch plans, and whether the unit will ship with Windows 11 Gaming Edition or a custom Asus OS layer.

Bottom line

The upcoming ROG NUC refresh appears to be an incremental but meaningful upgrade over the 2025 model. A modest CPU bump, a jump to the RTX 5090, and a more user‑friendly stand could keep Asus’s mini‑PC relevant for both competitive gamers and space‑constrained creators. The May 15 launch will reveal whether these expectations hold true and how the pricing will position the device against rivals like the MSI Vector GP and the Gigabyte AORUS Mini.

Caption: A new piece of ROG puzzle is set to be unveiled soon (machine translated)