Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus and Geekom sites.
2026 verdict
A budget ChromeOS box against a Windows desktop: the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) wins on memory and storage over the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB).
The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) runs a six-core Ryzen 5 7530U with Windows 11 Pro, 16 GB of DDR4 that can reach 64 GB, and a 1 TB PCIe 3.0 drive, and it drives four displays through two HDMI and two USB-C outputs. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS on a Celeron 7305 with 4 GB and 128 GB, but it matches the four-display output with two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C, and it wins on price and owner rating. Both use upgradeable SODIMM memory and both are compact. Choose the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) for Windows software and real storage; choose the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for a browser-based fleet at the lowest cost.
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| Feature | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) | Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $569.00 | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.3 | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB | Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) |
| Storage Capacity | 128 GB | 1 TB | Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) |
| CPU Model | Intel Celeron 7305 | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Dual-channel | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics | AMD Radeon Vega 7 | Different strengths |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
What the differences mean
Operating system
The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS, which updates itself and cannot run native Windows software. The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) runs Windows 11 Pro, so desktop applications and Linux are available.
Processor
A six-core Ryzen 5 7530U in the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) against the four-core Celeron 7305 in the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB). The Geekom is the one built for real multitasking rather than a handful of tabs.
Memory and storage
16 GB of DDR4 and a 1 TB drive in the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) against 4 GB and 128 GB in the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB). Both can be upgraded, but the Geekom starts with far more of each.
Displays and ports
Both reach four displays. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) uses two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C across seven USB ports, while the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) uses two HDMI 2.0 and two USB-C outputs.
Wireless and Ethernet
The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 on Gigabit Ethernet. The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) runs Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 with 2.5G Ethernet, so each side takes one row.
Which one to buy if
- your workflow is a browser and nothing else
ChromeOS on the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) handles web and Android apps with almost no maintenance.
- you need Windows software
Only the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) runs Windows 11 Pro, so desktop applications depend on it.
- you store a lot of files locally
The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) ships with a 1 TB drive against 128 GB in the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB).
- the price is the deciding factor
The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the cheaper machine, and its owner rating shows people are happy with it.
$399.00
- + Price: $399.00
- + Rating: 4.5
- - Memory Capacity: 4 GB vs 16 GB
- - Storage Capacity: 128 GB vs 1 TB
Winner
$569.00
- + Memory Capacity: 16 GB
- + Storage Capacity: 1 TB
- - Price: $569.00 vs $399.00
- - Rating: 4.3 vs 4.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) or Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?
The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB), which is a full Windows desktop with more memory, more storage and a stronger processor. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the better buy when ChromeOS management and the lower price are the point.
What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) and the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB)?
The operating system and the hardware behind it. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS on a Celeron with 4 GB and 128 GB, while the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) runs Windows 11 Pro on a six-core Ryzen with 16 GB and 1 TB.
Can the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) run Windows programs?
No. It runs ChromeOS, which covers web and Android apps but not native Windows software. The Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) ships with Windows 11 Pro instead.
How much memory can the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) and Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) take?
Both use SODIMM slots. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) reaches 16 GB of DDR4, while the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB) reaches 64 GB of DDR4 across two slots.
Who should buy the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?
Schools, kiosks and homes that work entirely in a browser or Google Workspace and want the lowest cost with almost no maintenance.
Who should buy the Geekom A5 Pro 2026 Edition (16GB + 1TB)?
Anyone who needs Windows applications, more local storage and a machine that can hold several years of files and photos.
Full comparison table
Compare all 105 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.
- 105 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
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Mini PCsAsusNUC 15 Pro Slim (Core 5 16GB + 512GB)
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Mini PCsAsusNUC 16 Pro (Ultra X7 32GB + 1TB)
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