ASUS Chromebox CHROMEBOX5a-S7162UN Black 2024

The ASUS Chromebox 5a is a compact ChromeOS desktop with an i7-1355U, 16GB RAM, and quad-display support. It's fast for browser-based work and has excellent connectivity, but the 256GB SSD is small and the price is steep. Best for offices and schools, not for gaming or Windows users.

The i7-1355U is a 10-core chip with a 1.7GHz base clock, and it handles ChromeOS like it's nothing. In our database, the CPU sits at the 33rd percentile among mini PCs, which sounds mediocre until you remember most Chromeboxes run on much weaker silicon. For actual ChromeOS workloads, this thing is snappy. Apps open fast, video calls stay smooth, and you can throw a lot at it before it starts to sweat.

The 16GB of DDR4 RAM is right at the 50th percentile, which is fine for ChromeOS but not exactly future-proof. The 256GB SSD is the weak spot, landing at the 14th percentile. That's tight if you plan to store much locally, though ChromeOS leans on cloud storage anyway. The Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics are about average for this category, and the gaming score of 12.2 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know. This is not a machine for playing anything beyond browser games.

Compared to something like the Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 or the HP OMEN GT16-0364, the Chromebox 5a is in a completely different universe. Those are gaming desktops with dedicated GPUs and upgrade paths. The Chromebox can't compete on raw power, but it also doesn't try to. It's a fraction of the size and uses a fraction of the power.

Against other mini PCs like the Dell Desktop ECT1250 or MSI Aegis ZS2, the Chromebox 5a holds its own on port selection. The 91st percentile port score means you get more connectivity than most machines in this class. Seven USB-A ports, two HDMI outs, Thunderbolt, and Ethernet is a genuinely impressive spread. But those Windows alternatives offer more storage and software flexibility for similar money.

At USD 999 to USD 1,159, the Chromebox 5a is not cheap. You can find Windows mini PCs with similar or better specs for less money, and they'll run anything you throw at them. The value proposition here is ChromeOS itself: zero maintenance, fast boot times, and easy fleet management for IT departments. If that's what you need, the price makes more sense. Newegg currently has the best deal at USD 999, while other listings push up to USD 1,159. Shop around before you buy.

The ASUS Chromebox 5a is a mini PC that sits in a weird but interesting spot. You're getting a 10-core Intel Core i7-1355U, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD packed into a 0.80kg box running ChromeOS. It's aimed at offices, classrooms, and anyone who wants a clean desk setup without a tower taking up half the surface. The price lands between USD 999 and USD 1,159 depending on where you shop, which puts it in premium Chromebox territory.

So is the ASUS Chromebox 5a good for everyday work? For browser-heavy tasks, yes. ChromeOS flies on this hardware. You can run a pile of tabs, Google Workspace apps, and even Linux containers without much fuss. But if you're expecting a Windows desktop experience, this isn't that. It's a Chromebox, and that comes with real limits.

People searching for a compact desktop for business or education will find a lot to like here. The quad-display support is genuinely useful for trading desks or monitoring setups. Just don't confuse this with a gaming machine, because it absolutely is not one.

Skip the Chromebox 5a if you need Windows software, want to play games, or store lots of files locally. The 256GB SSD is a real constraint, and ChromeOS won't run apps like Photoshop, AutoCAD, or most PC games. If you want a compact desktop with more flexibility, look at Windows mini PCs from Dell or MSI in the same price range. You'll trade some of the ChromeOS simplicity for a machine that can actually do everything.

Should you buy the ASUS Chromebox 5a? If you're running a business or school that lives in Google Workspace, yes. It's fast, quiet, and easy to manage. The quad-display support is a real differentiator, and the port selection is excellent. For a home user who just wants a simple desktop for browsing and streaming, it's also a solid pick, though the price stings.

But if you need to run Windows software, play games, or store a lot of files locally, look elsewhere. The 256GB SSD fills up fast, and ChromeOS simply can't do everything. This is a purpose-built machine, and it's very good at its purpose. Just make sure that purpose matches yours.