Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) vs GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated November 2026
Data from the official Asus and GMKtec sites.
2026 verdict
ChromeOS simplicity against a full Windows mini PC, and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) wins this one on hardware by a wide margin.
GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
Winner
GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
$419.99$559.9925% OFFPrime exclusive deal
Buy on Amazon USA
It takes memory capacity and storage capacity, with 32GB of DDR4 against 4GB and a 512GB drive against 128GB, on top of an eight-core Ryzen 7 7730U, two M.2 slots and dual 2.5G Ethernet. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on price and rating and keeps its own strengths: seven USB ports, four display outputs and the low maintenance of ChromeOS for kiosks, signage and managed fleets. Both use Wi-Fi 6E and a 65W adapter. Choose the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) for Windows work and the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) for a browser appliance.
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The biggest differences

Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.

  • Memory Capacity8×GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)32 GB vs 4 GB
  • Storage Capacity4×GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)512 GB vs 128 GB
FeatureAsus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)Winner
Price$399.00$419.99Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Rating4.54.4Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB)
Memory Capacity4 GB32 GBGMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
Storage Capacity128 GB512 GBGMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
CPU ModelIntel Celeron 7305AMD Ryzen 7 7730UDifferent strengths
Memory ConfigurationSingle-channelDual-channelDifferent strengths
GPU ModelIntel UHD GraphicsAMD Radeon Graphics (8 cores, up to 2000 MHz)Different strengths
Memory TypeDDR4DDR4Tie
Memory Speed3200 MT/s3200 MT/sTie

What the differences mean

Operating system

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) runs Windows 11 Pro. ChromeOS updates itself and resets cleanly, which suits kiosks and managed fleets, while Windows runs the desktop software those setups cannot.

Processor

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) runs an eight-core Ryzen 7 7730U with Radeon graphics, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) uses an entry-level Intel Celeron 7305. For anything beyond browser tabs, the M5 Ultra is far ahead.

Memory and storage

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) ships 32GB of DDR4 and a 512GB drive; the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) ships 4GB and 128GB. Both can be upgraded, the M5 Ultra to 64GB across two SODIMM slots and two M.2 drives, the Chromebox to 16GB with a replaceable M.2 drive.

Networking

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) offers two 2.5G Ethernet ports, while the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) has gigabit Ethernet. Both use Wi-Fi 6E. For file servers or fast wired links the M5 Ultra is quicker.

Ports and displays

The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) leads on ports with seven USB connections, two HDMI 2.1 outputs, DisplayPort 1.4 and a microSD slot, for up to four displays. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) drives three through HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Owners of the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) repeatedly mention how much it does for how little power it draws, with some benchmarking it near older desktop chips. Quiet dual-fan cooling keeps it unobtrusive, and Linux users report clean Fedora and Mint installs. The dual 2.5G Ethernet and dual M.2 slots make it a popular Proxmox or pfSense node. Support earns real praise for quick replies and repairs. On the downside, they list the older DDR4 and PCIe 3.0 parts, no USB4, and one report of a sleep-wake bug needing a hard reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?

The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is the more capable machine by far, winning on memory capacity and storage capacity with an eight-core Ryzen 7 and 32GB. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) wins on price and rating.

What is the biggest difference between the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?

The operating system and the silicon behind it. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) is a ChromeOS browser appliance on a Celeron, while the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is a Windows 11 Pro desktop on an eight-core Ryzen 7.

Can the memory and storage be upgraded on the Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) or the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?

Both can be serviced. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) takes DDR4 to 16GB and has a replaceable M.2 drive, while the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) takes DDR4 to 64GB and has two M.2 slots.

Which of these mini PCs can run Windows programs?

Only the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB), which ships Windows 11 Pro. The Asus Chromebox 5a (Celeron 4GB + 128GB) runs ChromeOS, which covers web apps and Android apps but not native Windows software.

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

Schools, kiosks, signage and managed desks that live in a browser, and want four display outputs, seven USB ports and near-zero maintenance.

Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?

Buyers who need a quiet Windows desktop or home lab node with 32GB of memory, dual M.2 storage, two 2.5G Ethernet ports and Linux support.

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