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Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus and Geekom sites.
2026 verdict
As a browser-based kiosk or classroom terminal, the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) does its narrow job well, but the Geekom A9 Max (HX 470) is the far stronger mini PC of this pair for anyone who needs a real Windows workstation.
Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)
Winner
Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)
$1599.00
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
The A9 Max pairs DDR5 memory expandable to 128GB with a 2TB SSD across two NVMe slots, well beyond the Chromebox's 4GB of DDR4 and 128GB drive, and its dual USB4 ports and 50 TOPS NPU put it in a different performance class entirely. The Chromebox still earns its keep where ChromeOS is the point: near-instant boot, centralized fleet management and a much lower cost for shared desks, signage and classrooms that never touch native software. Choose the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for a simple, low-cost browser terminal, and the Geekom A9 Max (HX 470) for a Windows desktop with real memory, storage and AI headroom.
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FeatureAsus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)Winner
Price$359.00$1599.00Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Rating4.54.4Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Memory TypeDDR4DDR5Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)
Memory Capacity4 GB32 GBGeekom A9 Max (HX 470)
Storage Capacity128 GB2 TBGeekom A9 Max (HX 470)
CPU ModelIntel Celeron 7305AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationSingle-channelDual-channelDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel UHD GraphicsAMD Radeon 890MDifferent strengths

What the differences mean

Operating system

The Asus Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS, built for browser and Android apps with almost no maintenance. The Geekom A9 Max (HX 470) runs Windows 11 Pro, which any native Windows software, local AI tool or serious multitasking job needs.

Memory headroom

4GB of single-channel DDR4 on the Chromebox tops out at 16GB, while the A9 Max ships 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 and can be pushed to 128GB, room for the kind of workload the Chromebox was never meant to run.

Storage capacity

128GB against 2TB across two NVMe slots is not a small gap: the Chromebox suits a handful of browser tabs and cloud-first work, while the A9 Max has room for a full local software library.

On-device AI

The Chromebox has no NPU at all, while the A9 Max's 50 TOPS NPU is built for local AI models and Copilot+ style features, a job ChromeOS was not designed to do anyway.

Ports and networking

Dual USB4 ports, dual 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 on the A9 Max outpace the Chromebox's single Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E, though the Chromebox still packs seven USB ports of its own for a kiosk setup with several peripherals.

Which one to buy if

  • you need a simple browser-only terminal for a classroom or shared desk
    Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

    ChromeOS updates itself and needs almost no IT maintenance, which is exactly the point of a fleet of Chromebox 5a units.

  • you want to run local AI models or juggle several heavy applications
    Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)

    The A9 Max's NPU and 32GB of DDR5 handle work the Chromebox's Celeron chip was never built for.

  • the budget is the deciding factor
    Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

    The Chromebox 5a is the far cheaper machine of the two.

  • you need to run Windows software
    Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)

    ChromeOS cannot run native Windows applications, and the A9 Max ships Windows 11 Pro out of the box.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
  • Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)?

The Geekom A9 Max (HX 470) wins overall, with far more memory, storage and a dedicated NPU that the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) does not have. The Chromebox still makes sense as a low-cost ChromeOS terminal for browser-only tasks.

What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a and the Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)?

Operating system and processor class. The Chromebox runs ChromeOS on an entry-level Celeron chip with 4GB of memory, while the A9 Max runs Windows 11 Pro on a 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 with 32GB of DDR5 and a dedicated NPU.

Can the Asus Chromebox 5a run the same software as the Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)?

No. The Chromebox runs ChromeOS, which supports web apps and Android apps but not native Windows software, while the A9 Max runs Windows 11 Pro and can install any Windows application.

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

IT teams and classrooms that want a low-maintenance, low-cost browser terminal with automatic updates and centralized management, rather than a general-purpose Windows desktop.

Who should buy the Geekom A9 Max (HX 470)?

Buyers who need serious memory, storage and on-device AI acceleration for local models, creative work or heavy multitasking, and who need Windows compatibility rather than a browser-only operating system.

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