Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus and Beelink sites.
2026 verdict
Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) takes this comparison comfortably, pairing a six-core, twelve-thread Ryzen 5 5500U with 16GB of DDR4-3200 in two slots that reach 64GB and a 480GB NVMe drive, running Windows 11 Pro, and adding 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 and triple display output through HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C, with a VESA mount and HDMI cable included, at a lower price. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is a different proposition: ChromeOS with automatic updates and Google admin console management, a Celeron 7305, 4GB of single-channel memory capped at 16GB and a 128GB drive, but seven USB ports, dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, a micro SD reader and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.4. It suits managed browser-based deployments rather than general computing, and it cannot run Windows applications. Buy Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for kiosks and classrooms; buy Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) for a real desktop that can also serve as an always-on home server.
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| Feature | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) | Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.00 | $389.00 | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 | Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB | Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 128 GB | 480 GB | Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel Celeron 7305 | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Dual-slot | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics (7 cores) | Different strengths |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MT/s | 3200 MT/s | Tie |
10% OFF
$359.00
$399.00
- + Price: $359.00
- - Rating: 4.4 vs 4.6
- - Memory Capacity: 4 GB vs 16 GB
Winner
$389.00
- + Rating: 4.6
- + Memory Capacity: 16 GB
- + Storage Capacity: 480 GB
- - Price: $389.00 vs $359.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall, the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) or the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?
Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB): a six-core Ryzen 5 5500U, 16GB of memory expandable to 64GB, 480GB of storage, Windows 11 Pro and 2.5G Ethernet for less money. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on port count and its micro SD reader.
How much more performance does the Beelink offer?
Substantially more. Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) runs a six-core, twelve-thread Ryzen 5 5500U up to 4.0GHz with seven-core Radeon graphics. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) uses an entry-level Celeron 7305 with Intel UHD graphics and only 4GB of single-channel memory.
Which one drives more displays?
Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has four video outputs: two HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB-C. Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) drives three displays through HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C, which is enough for most desks.
How far can each be upgraded?
Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) has two DDR4-3200 SODIMM slots reaching 64GB. Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is single-channel and caps at 16GB, though both allow the NVMe drive to be replaced.
Who should buy the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?
Organisations deploying ChromeOS for classrooms, reception desks or digital signage, where automatic updates, central management and seven USB ports matter more than processing power. Anyone wanting a Windows desktop or a small home server should choose Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB).
Full comparison table
Compare all 68 Mini PCs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Mini PCs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 68 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
MINISFORUMX1 Lite-255 (32GB + 1TB)
$699.90
AsusNUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
$1902.44
MINISFORUMMS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
$2099.00
AsusNUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
$949.99
AsusROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
$2599.00
BeelinkMini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
$339.00
AsusNUC 15 Pro Slim (Core 5 16GB + 512GB)
$1101.00
GeekomIT13 2026 Edition (Ultra 7 32GB + 1TB)
$1399.00
BeelinkSER8 (32GB + 1TB)
$939.00
BeelinkSER9 Pro (24GB + 1TB)
$689.00
AppleMac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
$979.99
AppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
$1569.00
AppleMac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
$1273.46
BeelinkSER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB)
$389.00
GMKtecNucBox M7 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
$599.99
GeekomGT1 Mega Ultra 9
10% OFF$949.00$854.10
BeelinkMini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
$289.00
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
$3799.00
GeekomA9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)
5% OFF$3999.00$3799.04
GMKtecNucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB)
28% OFF$459.99$329.99
Mini PCsAsusAscent GX10 (128GB + 1TB)
4.0(79)$5998.96- Mini PCsAsus
Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
4.4(35)10% OFF$399.00$359.00 - Mini PCsAsus
NUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
5.0(2)$949.99 
Mini PCsAsusNUC 14 Pro Tall (Ultra 7 32GB + 1TB)
4.1(29)$1299.99- Mini PCsAsus
NUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
5.0(5)$1902.44 - Mini PCsAsus
NUC 15 Pro Slim (Core 5 16GB + 512GB)
$1101.00 
Mini PCsAsusNUC 16 Pro (Ultra 7 16GB + 512GB)
$1549.00
Mini PCsAsusNUC 16 Pro (Ultra X7 32GB + 1TB)
$2799.00- Mini PCsAsus
ROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
5.0(2)$2599.00 
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
$2499.00
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 16 (RTX 5070 Ti 32GB + 1TB)
$3199.00
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)
3.6(4)$3699.00
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 64GB + 2TB)
$4999.00
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 2025 (RTX 5070 32GB + 1TB)
4.1(12)10% OFF$3899.00$3499.00
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 2025 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
3.5(3)$3882.41
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 2025 (RTX 5070 Ti 32GB + 2TB)
3.9(8)$3399.99
Mini PCsAsusROG NUC 2025 (RTX 5080 32GB + 2TB)
2.9(14)26% OFF$5299.00$3925.28
RoutersAsusROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI
3.6(35)$899.99
RoutersAsusROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro
4.3(603)$684.99
RoutersAsusROG Strix GS-BE12000
4.2(133)16% OFF$399.99$337.19
Mini PCsBeelinkEQi 304 (24GB + 512GB)
4.3(702)$629.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi14 (32GB + 1TB)
4.0(30)$1049.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi15 Ultra (64GB + 1TB)
4.3(33)$1499.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTi15 Ultra (96GB + 2TB)
4.3(218)$1949.00
Mini PCsBeelinkGTR9 Pro (128GB + 2TB)
3.0(17)$3639.00- Mini PCsBeelink
Mini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
4.5(262)$289.00 - Mini PCsBeelink
Mini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
5.0(2)$339.00 
Mini PCsBeelinkMini S13 (N150 16GB + 500GB)
4.2(33)$349.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSEi14 (32GB + 1TB)
4.3(33)$829.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSER10 Max (32GB + 1TB)
5% OFF$1299.00$1229.00
Mini PCsBeelinkSER3 (16GB + 500GB)
4.4(480)10% OFF$299.00$269.00- Mini PCsBeelink
SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB)
4.6(37)$389.00 - Mini PCsBeelink
SER8 (32GB + 1TB)
4.8(8)$939.00 
Mini PCsBeelinkSER9 Max (64GB + 1TB)
$1149.00- Mini PCsBeelink
SER9 Pro (24GB + 1TB)
4.8(7)$689.00