Small form factor PCs seem to be increasing in popularity these days, and most of them will undoubtedly run some version of Microsoft Windows.
Not the Chromebox though, which is the latest desktop rig put out by Asus.
Draped in black and looking more like a set-top box than a desktop computer, the Asus Chromebox will come in three models, each packing an Intel processor. One will be powered by an Intel Celeron 2955U processor, the middle child will sport an Intel Core i3 4010U CPU, and last but not least, the highest end processor available with the Chromebox will be the Intel Core i7 4600U chip. However, the Core i7 model will only be available in limited markets, and is not expected to be available in North America.
As those of you familiar with Chromebooks might expect, the rest of the specs on the Chromebox are pretty basic. Storage comes in the form of a 16GB SSD while RAM tops out at 4GB. The highest-end GPU you should expect to find on the Asus Chromebox is the Intel HD Graphics 4400 chip. The Chromebox supports 802.11n Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth 4.0.
Ports include a foursome of USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, one DisplayPort, HDMI, a media card reader, audio and mic jacks and Kensington lock slot. The Chromebox will also include 100GB of free Google Drive storage for two years, as well as VESA mounting kits.
“The ASUS Chromebox offers the simplicity, security and speed of Chrome OS in the most compact and powerful Chrome device to date,” said Felix Lin, director of product management for Google. “Perfect for home, the classroom or the office, Chromebox is designed for the way we use computers today.”
This is the second small form factor announcement that Asus has made in recent days, having unveiled its Eee Box EB1037 PC recently, which looks like a cross between a router and a futuristic toaster.
Though we don’t have pricing information for every version of the Chromebox that’ll see the light of day, Asus’s newest desktop will hit the market starting at $179 and begin shipping sometime this March.
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