Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)

Updated September 2026

Data from Amazon and official Asus and Beelink sites.

2026 verdict

Winner

$289.00

Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) is the better buy for most people here, doubling the memory to 8GB, nearly quadrupling storage to 480GB, shipping with a licensed copy of Windows 11 Pro rather than ChromeOS, adding 2.5G Ethernet and a second internal M.2 slot, and costing less in a much smaller 115 x 102 x 39 mm body with a VESA bracket in the box. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) answers with connectivity and manageability: seven USB ports against four, two HDMI 2.1 outputs plus DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB-C with display output, a micro SD reader, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 where the Beelink is stuck on Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2, and ChromeOS with automatic updates and Google admin console management, which is exactly what a classroom, reception desk or signage screen wants. Its 4GB of memory and 128GB drive are thin, though both are replaceable. Buy Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for managed ChromeOS deployments; buy Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) for a cheap Windows desktop or home server.

Asus

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

10% OFF

$359.00

$399.00

Buy on Amazon USACheck price

Winner

Beelink

Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)

$289.00

Buy on Amazon USACheck price

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Feature	Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)	Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)	Winner
Price	$359.00	$289.00	Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
Rating	4.4	4.5	Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
Memory Capacity	4 GB	8 GB	Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
Storage Capacity	128 GB	480 GB	Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
CPU Model	Intel Celeron 7305	Intel N95	Different strengths
GPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics (16 EUs)	Different strengths
Memory Configuration	Single-channel	Single-channel	Tie
Memory Type	DDR4	DDR4	Tie
Memory Speed	3200 MT/s	3200 MT/s	Tie

Asus

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

10% OFF

$359.00

$399.00

Buy on Amazon USACheck price

- Price: $359.00 vs $289.00
- Rating: 4.4 vs 4.5

Winner

Beelink

Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)

$289.00

Buy on Amazon USACheck price

+ Price: $289.00
+ Rating: 4.5
+ Memory Capacity: 8 GB

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall, the Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) or the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?

Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) for most buyers: 8GB of memory against 4GB, 480GB of storage against 128GB, Windows 11 Pro and 2.5G Ethernet, at a lower price. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on ports, display outputs and newer wireless.

What is the biggest difference between them?

The operating system. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS, with instant boot, automatic updates and Google admin console management but no native Windows applications. Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) ships with Windows 11 Pro, so it runs standard desktop software and hypervisors like Proxmox.

Which has better connectivity?

It splits. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) offers Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, seven USB ports, dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and a micro SD reader, but only Gigabit Ethernet. Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) has 2.5G Ethernet with four USB 3.0 ports, Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2.

Can either be upgraded?

Both. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) uses a DDR4 SODIMM to 16GB and a replaceable NVMe drive. Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) also takes a single SODIMM to 16GB and adds a second M.2 slot, so storage can grow without replacing the boot drive.

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

Schools, reception desks, digital signage and anyone whose work lives in a browser and Google Drive, where automatic updates and central management matter more than raw specifications. For a general-purpose Windows machine or an always-on home server, Beelink Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB) is the better value.

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