Asus Chromebox 5 Mini PC: A Sleek and Functional Desktop Solution
The Asus Chromebox 5 represents the company’s fifth iteration of its desktop ChromeOS solution. It’s a significant step forward, bridging the gap between contemporary computing technology and the components you might have encountered in desktops or laptops from several years ago.
Performance and Model Options
In contrast to its predecessor, the Asus Chromebox 4, which offered 10th generation Intel CPUs or a Celeron 5205U, the new model embraces more up-to-date hardware. The Asus Chromebox 5 now features a selection of 12th-generation Alder Lake chips, including the i3-1220P, i5-1240P, and i7-1260P, as well as a quint-core Celeron 7305. While it’s not the absolute latest silicon, it’s certainly more current than what’s typically found in desktop ChromeOS systems.
Your choice of model depends on your intended usage. Even the Celeron model, with its single-performance core, handles basic web browsing with ease—similar to an older Celeron N4020-powered HP Chromebook. However, if you plan on heavier use, especially involving Linux apps, consider opting for the i5 or i7 models.
Design and Ports
The Chromebox 5 boasts an unassuming black plastic design, measuring 166.5 x 165.8 x 45.9 mm and weighing 800g. Its ports are thoughtfully distributed between the front and back panels. Notably, there’s an invisible gem: a 15W Qi wireless charger integrated into the top. This innovative feature allows you to charge your smartphone by simply placing it on top of the Chromebox.
Key design features:
- Matte plastic top that resists fingerprints
- Asus and Chromebox badges
- VESA mount included (though vertical mounting renders the charging pad useless)
Ports:
- Front: 2 USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) ports, MicroSD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack
- Back: 2 additional USB-A ports (10Gbps), HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 2.5G RJ-45 LAN port
- Power button at the front; DC-in for the 150W power supply at the back
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) and Bluetooth 5.3 support
SSD Performance
The 256GB SSD in our review unit delivered decent performance but wasn’t a speed demon. It recorded average sequential read and write speeds of approximately 1,939MB/s and 378MB/s, respectively. Notably, this SSD follows PCIe 4.0 standard, while the smaller 128GB model uses PCIe 3, likely resulting in slightly slower speeds.
Core i7 Power
The Intel Core i7-1260P chip boasts 12 cores, with 8 efficiency cores and 4 performance cores. Running at a maximum boost speed of 4.7GHz, it provides ample power for ChromeOS tasks—even when juggling multiple browser tabs.
In benchmark tests (GeekBench 5) conducted in a Linux environment, the Chromebox achieved a solid score of 1645 in the single-core test and 7308 in the multi-core test—comparable to results from an M1 Apple MacBook Air.
In summary, if you’re seeking a sleek desktop solution with modern features and respectable performance for everyday tasks, the Asus Chromebox 5 is worth considering! 🖥️💡
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