Asus ASUS Chromebox 5a Mini Desktop Computer Review
The Asus Chromebox 5a is a fantastic mini desktop for Chrome OS fans, but its paltry 128GB of storage is a major flaw. We'll tell you if it's still worth your money.
The 30-Second Version
A great little Chrome machine hobbled by a tiny 128GB drive. Buy it on sale for a simple web terminal, but look elsewhere if you need real storage or power.
Overview
The Asus Chromebox 5a is a one-trick pony, and that trick is being a very good, very small Chrome OS machine. If you're looking for a compact, low-maintenance desktop for web apps, video calls, and basic office work, this is a solid pick. But the one thing you need to know is that it's not a Windows PC, and it's definitely not a gaming rig. It's a Chrome browser in a box, and you have to be okay with that.
Performance
The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a modern Chromebox. The 13th-gen Intel i5 and 8GB of DDR5 RAM are fine for dozens of Chrome tabs and everyday tasks. It's snappy. But our data shows the CPU and RAM rankings are mediocre to underwhelming compared to the broader desktop market. That's not a knock on the Chromebox, it's just the reality of its category. The real surprise is the storage. At 128GB, it's one of the worst we've seen for capacity. You'll be living in the cloud or constantly managing a microSD card.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong port (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong social proof (77th percentile) 77th
Cons
- Below average gpu (10th percentile) 10th
- Below average storage (15th percentile) 15th
- Below average ram (18th percentile) 18th
- Below average cpu (29th percentile) 29th
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core i5 1335U |
| Cores | 10 |
| Frequency | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Iris Xe Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM Type | Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Build
| Form Factor | Mini |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.8 lbs |
Connectivity
| USB Ports | 7 |
| HDMI | 2x HDMI 2.11x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ethernet | 1x Ethernet |
System
| OS | Chrome OS |
Value & Pricing
The price swings wildly from $630 to $865 across vendors. At the low end, it's a decent value for a dedicated Chrome OS station. At $865, it's a rip-off. Shop around hard, because paying a premium for this hardware makes zero sense.
vs Competition
Forget the gaming desktops listed as competitors. That's our database being too broad. The real competition is other Chromeboxes and mini PCs. Compared to something like an Intel NUC running Windows, you're trading flexibility and software compatibility for simplicity and lower cost. Against other Chromeboxes, the 5a's main edge is its modern ports. If you don't need HDMI 2.1, older models are cheaper.
| Spec | Asus ASUS Chromebox 5a Mini Desktop Computer | HP OMEN HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop, Intel Core Ultra 7 | MSI MSI - EdgeXpert Mini Desktop - Arm 20 core - 128GB | Dell Dell Tower Plus Desktop Computer | Lenovo Lenovo Legion T7 34IAS10 90Y6003JUS Gaming Desktop | CLX CLX - Horus Gaming Desktop - AMD Ryzen 9 9950X - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 1335U | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | ARM | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 32 | 128 | 32 | 64 | 96 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 2048 | 4096 | 1024 | 2048 | 10048 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 |
| Form Factor | Mini | Desktop | Mini | Tower | Tower | Mid Tower |
| Psu W | - | 850 | 240 | 750 | - | 850 |
| OS | Chrome OS | Windows 11 Pro | NVIDIA DGX OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
Common Questions
Q: Can I put Linux on this instead of Chrome OS?
Officially, no. Asus doesn't support it, and you'd be hacking it at your own risk. It's designed to be a Chrome OS box.
Q: Is this good for business management?
Yes, if your business uses Chrome OS Enterprise. You can fully manage it with the Chrome Admin Console, which is a big plus for IT departments.
Q: Is 128GB enough?
Barely. It's enough for the OS and some apps, but your files will need to live online or on a microSD card. Plan on cloud storage.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a primary computer for photo editing, gaming, or running Windows software, this isn't it. Go get a mini PC with Windows and a bigger SSD instead. Also, skip it if you hate the idea of being locked into Google's ecosystem.
Verdict
We recommend the Asus Chromebox 5a, but only to a very specific person. If you want a zero-hassle, compact computer for a kitchen, dorm room, or as a dedicated terminal for web-based work, and you find it for under $700, go for it. For anyone who needs more storage, more power, or the ability to run standard desktop software, this is the wrong tool for the job.