The ASUS Chromebox 5 doubles as a Qi charger for your smartphone

Mini PCs are slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the consumer electronics market, as users turn to more compact and ready-made solutions for their productivity and entertainment needs. A lot of manufacturers have begun to integrate mini PC builds into their product lineups, and with that said ASUS has finally unveiled its latest take on compact computer circuitry with the Chromebox 5.

The Chromebox 5 packs a ton of features into a rather compact chassis that contains a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with up to 32 GB DDR4 3200 memory, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. The Chromebox 5 also comes with support for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI ports, as well as Thunderbolt 4 connectivity with 40 Gbps data transfer speeds. As for the outside, ASUS states that the device has been tested for military standard MIL-STD-810H certification, so it should be able to take a few accidental hits and bumps.

The Chromebox 5 also comes with support up to four 4K displays, and according to ASUS is the first Chromebox to feature an optional integrated 15-watt Qi-certified wireless charger. This allows it to double as a wireless charging pad for smartphones and wireless earbuds, and other compatible accessories. In terms of software, the Chromebox 5 will come with compatibility for Android apps from Google Play.

Other software features include Google Chrome Enterprise which allows for IT management for businesses and personal use – this lets IT admins manage and monitor a several ChromeOS devices from a single dashboard without much fuss. ASUS adds that the Chromebox 5 provides a range of security measures that combine hardware, firmware, software, and physical protection to protect essential business and personal data.

As for pricing and availability, the Chromebox 5 will be available in May 2023 in North America starting at $294. Users can get them from local retailers including Amazon, B&H, and ASUS’ online store.