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ASUS Chromebox 5a vs ASUS MiniPC PB63
The quick verdict
- Leads on more specsASUS Chromebox 5a3 of 5 differing specs (display outputs 4, weight 0.8 kg)
- Best forChromebox 5a for home-office work across several monitorsMiniPC PB63 for running VMs or a home server
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 5 specs that differ, the ASUS Chromebox 5a leads on 3 (display outputs, weight, and volume) and the ASUS MiniPC PB63 on 2 (max RAM and USB ports). On our home-office work index, the Chromebox 5a scores 86/100 against 70/100.
Using the 8 specs published on ASUS's official tech spec pages plus our own CPU tier rating, here is how the ASUS Chromebox 5a and ASUS MiniPC PB63 compare. Max RAM: the MiniPC PB63 at 32 GB versus 16 GB for the Chromebox 5a, 16 GB higher (2.0x). The MiniPC PB63 leads on USB ports, 8 ports to 7 ports. On display outputs, the Chromebox 5a posts 4 outputs and the MiniPC PB63 2 outputs, a gap of 2 outputs. Weight: the Chromebox 5a at 0.8 kg versus 1.14 kg for the MiniPC PB63, 0.34 kg lower (1.4x). The Chromebox 5a leads on volume, 1.27 L to 1.35 L. Display outputs per liter: the Chromebox 5a at 3.16 against 1.48 for the MiniPC PB63. Max RAM per liter: the MiniPC PB63 at 23.6 GB against 12.6 GB for the Chromebox 5a.
Key differences 3
Max RAMMiniPC PB63 leads
- MiniPC PB63 32 GB vs the Chromebox 5a at 16 GB
- the MiniPC PB63 has 2.0x the max RAM
Upgradable to 32 GB later
Display outputsChromebox 5a leads
- Chromebox 5a 4 outputs vs the MiniPC PB63 at 2 outputs
- the Chromebox 5a has 2.0x the display outputs
Up to 4 monitors
WeightChromebox 5a leads
- Chromebox 5a 0.8 kg vs the MiniPC PB63 at 1.14 kg
- the Chromebox 5a: 0.34 kg lighter
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | Chromebox 5a | MiniPC PB63 |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 16 GB | 32 GBWIN |
| Display outputs | 4WIN | 2 |
| Weight | 0.8 kgWIN | 1.14 kg |
| USB ports | 7 | 8WIN |
| Volume | 1.27 LWIN | 1.35 L |
Show every spec
| Spec | Chromebox 5a | MiniPC PB63 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU tier (our rating, of 10) | 7 | 7 |
| Max RAM | 16 GB | 32 GBWIN |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| USB ports | 7 | 8WIN |
| Display outputs | 4WIN | 2 |
| USB4/Thunderbolt | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Weight | 0.8 kgWIN | 1.14 kg |
| Volume | 1.27 LWIN | 1.35 L |
| Metric (0–100) | Chromebox 5a | MiniPC PB63 |
|---|---|---|
| Home office fit | 86WIN | 70 |
| Living-room media PC fit | 100WIN | 84 |
| Homelab fit | 49 | 59WIN |
| Tiny desk setup fit | 17WIN | 4 |
The details
How to choose
- Display outputs matters most → the Chromebox 5a (4 outputs vs 2 outputs)
- Max RAM matters most → the MiniPC PB63 (32 GB vs 16 GB)
More Chromebox 5a leads
- Volume: 1.27 L vs 1.35 L
More MiniPC PB63 leads
- USB ports: 8 ports vs 7 ports
Combined metrics
- Display outputs per liter: Chromebox 5a 3.16 vs 1.48
- Max RAM per liter: MiniPC PB63 23.6 GB vs 12.6 GB
Same on both
- CPU tier 7/10, max LAN speed 1 Gbps, USB4/Thunderbolt not supported, Wi-Fi generation Wi-Fi 6E
Use-case scores
- Home-office work: Chromebox 5a 86 vs 70
- Living-room media PC: Chromebox 5a 100 vs 84
Use-case scores
- Homelab or virtualization box: MiniPC PB63 59 vs 49
- Tiny desk setup: Chromebox 5a 17 vs 4
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which takes more RAM, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS MiniPC PB63?
- The MiniPC PB63, with 32 GB against 16 GB for the Chromebox 5a.
- Which has more display outputs, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS MiniPC PB63?
- The Chromebox 5a, with 4 outputs against 2 outputs for the MiniPC PB63.
- Which is lighter, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS MiniPC PB63?
- The Chromebox 5a, with 0.8 kg against 1.14 kg for the MiniPC PB63.
- Which use cases suit the ASUS Chromebox 5a and the ASUS MiniPC PB63?
- Home-office work: the Chromebox 5a. A living-room media PC: the Chromebox 5a. A homelab or virtualization box: the MiniPC PB63. (based on our own use-case index)