Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official Asus and Beelink sites.
2026 verdict
The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) is the more useful desktop of the two, because it gives you real PC hardware and Windows.
Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
Winner
Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
$539.00
Buy on Amazon USA
A Ryzen 7 7735U with Radeon 680M graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 500GB Gen 4 drive run circles around the Celeron 7305, 4GB and 128GB in the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB), and the Beelink also adds dual 2.5G Ethernet with a three-year warranty. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the cheaper and better reviewed option and still stands out for ports: it drives four displays and carries seven USB ports with Wi-Fi 6E, where the Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) offers two HDMI outputs, four USB ports and Wi-Fi 6. Choose the Beelink EQR7 for general computing, the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for a browser-only appliance.
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The biggest differences

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

  • Memory Capacity4×Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)16 GB vs 4 GB
  • Storage Capacity3.9×Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)500 GB vs 128 GB
FeatureAsus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)Winner
Price$399.00$539.00Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Rating4.54.3Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Memory TypeDDR4LPDDR5Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
Memory Speed3200 MT/s4800 MT/sBeelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
Memory Capacity4 GB16 GBBeelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
Storage Capacity128 GB500 GBBeelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)
CPU ModelIntel Celeron 7305AMD Ryzen 7 7735UDifferent strengths
Memory ConfigurationSingle-channelDual-channelDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel UHD GraphicsAMD Radeon 680M (12 CUs)Different strengths

What the differences mean

Operating system

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS, a locked-down browser platform that cannot install native desktop programs. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) runs Windows 11 Pro, so any Windows or Linux software is available.

Processor and memory

The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) runs an eight-core Ryzen 7 7735U with 16GB of dual-channel LPDDR5. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) uses an entry-level Celeron 7305 with 4GB, enough for browsing but not for heavier software.

Displays and ports

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) drives up to four displays and offers seven USB ports, an SD-era advantage for signage and desks. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) drives two screens over HDMI and carries four USB ports, with no DisplayPort or USB4.

Wired and wireless networking

The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) has two 2.5G Ethernet ports, useful for a router or home lab, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has Gigabit Ethernet but newer Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.4.

Price and warranty

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the cheaper, better reviewed machine. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) costs more but carries a three-year warranty and a second M.2 slot for storage.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) mostly run it as a compact always-on machine, and the themes are quiet operation, quick everyday responsiveness and low cost of ownership. The built-in 85W power supply means a single cable, the Windows 11 Pro licence is already in place, and several owners host Proxmox containers, Home Assistant or a small media server on it. The Radeon 680M handles older games at reduced settings. The limitation owners keep returning to is the soldered 16GB of LPDDR5, which cannot be expanded, followed by HDMI-only video, no USB4, a plain plastic case and no VESA bracket. A few mention occasional restarts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)?

The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) for general computing, since it offers a far stronger processor, more memory and storage and runs Windows 11 Pro. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on price and port count.

What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) and the Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)?

The platform. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) is an eight-core Ryzen 7 machine with 16GB of memory and a 500GB drive running Windows, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is a Celeron box with 4GB running ChromeOS.

Can the memory be upgraded on either machine?

Only on the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB), which takes DDR4 SODIMM modules up to 16GB. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) has its 16GB soldered, so that stays fixed, though both allow a second M.2 drive.

How many monitors can each drive?

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) supports up to four displays, using two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C. The Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB) drives two through its HDMI ports.

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

Classrooms, kiosks and signage setups that only need a browser and want the lowest maintenance, or anyone who needs four display outputs on a small budget.

Who should buy the Beelink EQR7 (7735U 16GB + 500GB)?

Anyone who needs a real Windows desktop for office work, media and light gaming, wants dual wired network ports, and values a three-year warranty.

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