Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus and Geekom sites.
2026 verdict
Measured against a 128GB AI workstation, the browser-only Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) loses to the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) on almost every spec.
The Geekom wins on memory type, memory speed, memory capacity and storage capacity, and it brings Radeon 8060S graphics, a fingerprint sensor, dual 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7. The Asus Chromebox 5a is the cheaper option and still the right tool for ChromeOS duties: it drives four displays through seven USB ports and needs almost no maintenance. Buy the Geekom A9 Mega for AI, rendering and a full Windows desktop; buy the Asus Chromebox 5a for signage, classrooms and browser-only desks.
vs
Winner
5% OFF
$3799.00
$3999.00
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| Feature | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $3799.00 | Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.6 | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | LPDDR5X | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MT/s | 8000 MT/s | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) |
| Memory Capacity | 4 GB | 128 GB | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) |
| Storage Capacity | 128 GB | 2 TB | Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) |
| CPU Model | Intel Celeron 7305 | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Single-channel | Soldered (non-upgradeable) | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics | AMD Radeon 8060S Graphics | Different strengths |
What the differences mean
Processor and graphics
The Asus Chromebox 5a runs a Celeron 7305 with Intel UHD graphics, while the Geekom A9 Mega pairs a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU. The Geekom is in a completely different performance class.
Memory
The Asus Chromebox 5a starts with 4GB of DDR4-3200 and accepts 16GB; the Geekom A9 Mega has 128GB of soldered LPDDR5X. The Geekom has far more memory, though the Chromebox is the upgradable one.
Storage
128GB in the Asus Chromebox 5a against 2TB across two RAID-capable M.2 slots in the Geekom A9 Mega. The Geekom can also mirror or stripe its drives.
Operating system
The Asus Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS, limited to web and Android apps, while the Geekom A9 Mega ships with Windows 11 Pro. Which is better depends on whether your work needs desktop software.
Networking
The Geekom A9 Mega has dual 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7; the Asus Chromebox 5a has Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E. The Geekom is quicker wired and newer wirelessly.
Ports and size
The Asus Chromebox 5a offers seven USB ports, a micro SD reader and four video outputs, and it weighs 800g. The Geekom A9 Mega is a 1.9kg aluminium box with dual USB4, an SDXC reader, a fingerprint sensor and two HDMI 2.1 outputs.
Which one to buy if
- the machine is for signage, a classroom or browser-only work
The Asus Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS with little upkeep and drives four displays.
- you run local AI or GPU rendering
The Geekom A9 Mega's Radeon 8060S graphics share a 128GB memory pool the Asus Chromebox 5a cannot approach.
- you want the most USB ports and video outputs
The Asus Chromebox 5a has seven USB ports and four display outputs, more than the Geekom A9 Mega.
- you want fingerprint sign-in and a card reader
The Geekom A9 Mega includes both; the Asus Chromebox 5a has a micro SD slot but no fingerprint sensor.
- you want the lowest price
The Asus Chromebox 5a is the more affordable of the two.
$399.00
- + Price: $399.00
- - Rating: 4.5 vs 4.6
- - Memory Type: DDR4 vs LPDDR5X
Winner
5% OFF
$3799.00
$3999.00
- + Rating: 4.6
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5X
- + Memory Speed: 8000 MT/s
- - Price: $3799.00 vs $399.00
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 Mega (128GB + 2TB)
Loading price history...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)?
The Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) is the far more powerful machine, with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S graphics, 128GB of memory and 2TB of storage. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is the cheaper, simpler option for ChromeOS work.
What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) and the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)?
The class of hardware. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is a ChromeOS thin client with a Celeron chip and 4GB of memory, while the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) is a Windows 11 Pro workstation with 128GB of LPDDR5X and Radeon 8060S graphics.
Can the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) run Windows?
No, it runs ChromeOS, which supports web and Android apps but not native Windows programs. The Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) is the one of the pair that ships with Windows 11 Pro.
Which is better for AI, the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)?
The Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB), without question. Its Radeon 8060S graphics and XDNA 2 NPU share 128GB of memory, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has no comparable AI hardware.
Which has more upgradeable memory, the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)?
Only the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) can be upgraded, to 16GB of DDR4. The Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) uses soldered LPDDR5X, so its 128GB is permanent.
Who should buy the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB), and who should buy the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)?
Buy the Geekom A9 Mega (128GB + 2TB) for AI, GPU rendering, Windows software and fingerprint sign-in. Buy the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for signage, classrooms and browser-based fleets where low cost and low maintenance matter most.
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