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Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus and GMKtec sites.
2026 verdict
For anyone whose daily work depends on Windows software, the GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB) is the clear pick over the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) in this mismatched mini PC pairing.
GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)
Winner
GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)
$649.99
Buy on Amazon USA
It ships four times the memory and eight times the storage, on a genuine Core i7-1185G7 rather than an entry Celeron built for ChromeOS, and it still leaves room to grow with two SO-DIMM slots and a second M.2 bay. The Chromebox 5a is not really trying to win that fight: its case is near-instant boot, centralized Google admin management and automatic background updates, which suit a classroom, a reception desk or a signage fleet far better than a general desktop does, and it keeps its price advantage as the tradeoff. Buyers managing a browser-only, managed fleet should choose the Asus Chromebox 5a; anyone who needs Windows compatibility and real desktop capability should pick the GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S.
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FeatureAsus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)Winner
Rating4.54.4Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Memory Capacity4 GB16 GBGMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)
Storage Capacity128 GB1 TBGMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)
CPU ModelIntel Celeron 7305Intel Core i7-1185G7Different strengths
Memory ConfigurationSingle-channelDual-channelDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel UHD GraphicsIntel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96 EUs, 1.35 GHz)Different strengths
Memory TypeDDR4DDR4Tie
Memory Speed3200 MT/s3200 MT/sTie

What the differences mean

Operating system and platform

The Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS on an entry-level Intel Celeron 7305 with 4GB of memory, built for browser and Android-app workloads with near-zero maintenance. The M2 Pro S runs Windows 11 Pro on a genuine Core i7-1185G7 with 16GB of memory, which is the difference between a managed kiosk and a real desktop.

Memory and storage headroom

The Chromebox 5a ships 4GB of DDR4-3200, expandable to 16GB, with a 128GB NVMe drive replaceable up to 512GB. The M2 Pro S starts four times higher at 16GB (up to 64GB) and eight times higher at 1TB, with a second M.2 2242 SATA bay still free for more.

Port selection

The Chromebox 5a leads on raw port count, seven USB ports plus four display outputs (dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C) against the M2 Pro S's five USB ports and three outputs (dual HDMI 2.0 plus USB-C), which matters for a signage wall driving several screens at once.

Networking

The Chromebox 5a carries Intel Wi-Fi 6E and gigabit Ethernet. The M2 Pro S sticks to Wi-Fi 6 but adds a 2.5G Ethernet port over the Chromebox's gigabit, which is the faster wired link for a machine that will actually move files.

Which one to buy if

  • you are deploying several units to a classroom, reception desk or signage wall
    Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

    ChromeOS's automatic updates and centralized Google admin management remove most of the maintenance a fleet of Windows boxes would demand.

  • the job needs Windows-only software
    GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)

    The Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS only, with no native Windows or macOS support; the M2 Pro S ships Windows 11 Pro out of the box.

  • the budget is the deciding factor and the work stays inside a browser
    Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)

    The Asus Chromebox 5a is the cheaper machine of the two, and its whole design is built around exactly that light, browser-based workload.

  • you need serious memory and storage headroom for real desktop work
    GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)

    16GB against 4GB and 1TB against 128GB is not a close contest, and the M2 Pro S still leaves a second M.2 bay for more.

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)
  • GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)?

The GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB) is the stronger general-purpose machine, ahead on memory capacity and storage capacity with a genuine Windows-capable CPU. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on price and suits a different job entirely.

What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a and the GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S?

The operating system and the platform behind it. The Chromebox 5a runs ChromeOS on an entry Celeron chip with 4GB of memory, while the M2 Pro S runs Windows 11 Pro on a Core i7-1185G7 with 16GB of memory and a 1TB drive.

Can the Asus Chromebox 5a run Windows software?

No. It runs ChromeOS, which covers web apps and Android apps from Google Play. The GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S runs Windows 11 Pro and supports standard desktop software.

Which one has more display outputs, for a signage setup?

The Asus Chromebox 5a, with four outputs (dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C) against the GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S's three (dual HDMI 2.0 and USB-C), which is one reason the Chromebox still fits kiosk and signage duty despite losing overall.

Who should buy the Asus Chromebox 5a?

Buyers managing a classroom, signage wall or browser-only fleet who want low maintenance, centralized Google admin management and the lowest price of the two.

Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox M2 Pro S?

Buyers who need Windows software compatibility along with far more memory and storage than a ChromeOS box can offer, and who still want room to add a second drive later.

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