Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official Asus and Beelink sites.
2026 verdict
The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) wins this cross-platform matchup on memory capacity and storage, and it is the more flexible computer of the two.
Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)
Winner
Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)
$439.00
Buy on Amazon USA
Its Ryzen 5 5500U, 16GB of DDR4 upgradeable to 64GB, 480GB drive with a second M.2 slot, built-in power supply and two Gigabit ports cover both desktop and home-server duty. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has its own case: the lower price, the better rating, ChromeOS that updates itself, seven USB ports, four display outputs and replaceable memory and storage. Choose the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) when you need Windows applications, more memory and real processing power, and the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for a managed, browser-only fleet or a signage box.
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The biggest differences

Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.

  • Memory Capacity4×Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)16 GB vs 4 GB
  • Storage Capacity3.8×Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)480 GB vs 128 GB
FeatureAsus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)Winner
Price$399.00$439.00Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Rating4.54.3Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Memory Capacity4 GB16 GBBeelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)
Storage Capacity128 GB480 GBBeelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)
CPU ModelIntel Celeron 7305AMD Ryzen 5 5500UDifferent strengths
Memory ConfigurationSingle-channelDual-slotDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel UHD GraphicsAMD Radeon Graphics (7 CUs)Different strengths
Memory TypeDDR4DDR4Tie
Memory Speed3200 MT/s3200 MT/sTie

What the differences mean

Operating system

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS, which updates itself in the background and is managed through the Google admin console, while the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) runs Windows 11 Pro. Native Windows applications need the Beelink.

Processor

The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) has a six-core Ryzen 5 5500U with Radeon graphics, where the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has an entry-level dual-core Celeron 7305 with UHD graphics. The Beelink is the far more capable chip.

Memory and storage

The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) ships 16GB of DDR4 up to 64GB and a 480GB drive, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) ships 4GB up to 16GB and 128GB. Both are replaceable, but the Beelink starts with much more.

Ports and displays

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) offers seven USB ports, two HDMI 2.1 outputs, DisplayPort, USB-C video and a micro SD reader for up to four displays, where the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) has two HDMI outputs, USB ports and no SD slot. The Chromebox is the better multi-display terminal.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) describe it as quiet to silent in daily use and good value, and they run it two ways. One group keeps it as a family or office desktop for browsing, email, printing and 4K video, often replacing an ageing tower, and another runs it headless as a Proxmox host, a small Docker cluster or a game server. They praise the built-in 85W power supply, the dual Gigabit Ethernet, the free second M.2 slot and the memory they took to 32GB, and several report months with no issues. Their caveats are hard-to-find BIOS updates, a product key they had to request, older graphics and Gigabit-only networking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) or Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?

The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) wins on memory and storage and is the more flexible machine, with Windows and up to 64GB of RAM. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the cheaper, lower-maintenance option for browser-only work and multiple displays.

What is the biggest difference between the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) and the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?

The platform. The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) runs Windows 11 Pro on a six-core Ryzen with 16GB of memory, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS on an entry-level Celeron with 4GB.

Can the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) run Windows software?

No. It runs ChromeOS, which covers web applications and Android apps from Google Play. Native Windows and macOS programs are not supported, so buyers who need them should choose the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB).

Which one is easier to maintain across many desks?

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB), because ChromeOS updates itself in the background and resets cleanly through the Google admin console, which reduces fleet maintenance. The Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB) is a conventional Windows machine.

Who should buy the Beelink EQR5 (5500U 16GB + 480GB)?

Anyone who needs Windows, more memory, real processing power or a home server with dual Ethernet and upgradeable parts.

Who should buy the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?

Buyers who want a simple, well-connected browser terminal for classrooms, kiosks, shared desks or digital signage.

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