Chromebox

{{short description|Small form-factor PC running Chrome OS}}

{{About|the variant of the Google Chromebook|the CD box set|Chrome Box}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}

{{Infobox computer hardware

| name = Chromebox

| logo =

| image = Chromebox.jpg

| caption = Samsung Chromebox from front

| invent-date =

| invent-name =

| conn1 =

| via1_1 =

| class-name =

| class1 =

| manuf1 =

| designfirm =

| manufacturer = Acer; AOpen; Asus; CTL; Dell; Google (as a bundler); Hewlett-Packard; Lenovo; Promethian, Samsung; SMART

| introduced = {{start date and age|2012|05|29}}

| discontinued =

| cost = $179-$999

| type =

| processor = ARM, Intel Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7

| frequency =

| memory = 2, 4, 8, or 16 GB

| coprocessor =

| connection =

| ports = USB 2.0/3.0/3.2 Gen 1 Type-A & C, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort++, Micro SD, SDHC & SDXC Card Reader

| power =

| weight =

| dimensions =

}}

A Chromebox is a small form-factor PC that runs Google's ChromeOS operating system. The first device debuted in May 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18253961|title=Google Chrome OS computers updated with faster processors|date=2012-05-29|author=Leo Kelion|work=BBC News }}

History

Chromeboxes, like other ChromeOS devices including Chromebook laptops, primarily support web applications, thereby relying heavily on an Internet connection for both software functionality and data storage. That connection, via a local area network, can be wireless or through an Ethernet port.

The machines are classed as small form-factor PCs{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/63225/chromebook|title=Chromebook Definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia|website=PC|access-date=2018-12-17}} and typically feature a power switch and a set of connections to support a keyboard, pointing device and one or more monitors. Solid state drives are used for storage and only wireless printers are supported. The first Chromebox, released by Samsung on May 29, 2012, ran a dual-core Intel Celeron Processor 867 at 1.3 GHz, and featured six USB 2.0 ports and two DisplayPort++ slots compatible with HDMI, DVI, and VGA.{{cite web |last1=Dormon |first1=Bob |title=Review: Samsung Chromebox |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/Print/2012/07/05/review_samsung_chromebox |website=The A Register |date=5 July 2012}}

In February 2014, Google bundled an Intel Core i7 Chromebox with a business video conferencing package, 1080p high definition camera module, external microphone/speaker and remote control.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2095225/googles-next-hardware-push-chromebox-videoconferencing-for-businesses.html |title=Google's next hardware push: Chromebox videoconferencing for businesses |last=Hachman |first=Mark |date=6 February 2014 |work=PC World |publisher=IDG |access-date=23 April 2014}} This Chromebox for Meetings system retailed for $999 plus a $250 annual management fee, waived the first year—a cost thousands of dollars less than other unified videoconferencing systems, including those from Cisco and Polycom.{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25078228/google-debuts-videoconferencing-tool-battling-cisco-and-polycom |title=Google debuts videoconferencing tool, battling Cisco and Polycom |last=Liedtke |first=Michael |date=6 February 2014 |work=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=Digital First Media |access-date=24 April 2014}} The system employed a Google Hangouts-like interface for up to 15 participants, a dedicated URL for sharing screens, and management accounts for scheduling meetings.{{cite web |url=http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/business/solutions/for-meetings.html#specs |title=For Meetings: Chromebox, plus everything you need for video meetings |access-date=23 April 2014}} An updated system announced in November 2017 featured a 4K camera and a machine learning feature that automatically identifies and frames participants.{{Cite news|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/11/01/google-made-chromebox-hangouts-video-conferences/|title=Google made a Chromebox for Hangouts video conferences|last=Davenport|first=Courbin|date=2017-11-01|work=Android Police|access-date=2017-11-16|language=en-US}}

In March 2014, Asus established a new price at the low-end of the Chromebox market with a compact, 1.32 pound model that retailed at $179 and featured a Celeron CPU and four USB 3.0 ports.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/03/review-asus-brings-chrome-os-to-mini-pcs-in-a-low-power-inexpensive-package/ |title=Review: Asus crafts a tiny $179 Chromebox out of cheap, low-power parts |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=27 March 2014 |work=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast Digital |access-date=23 April 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2454797,00.asp |title=Asus Chromebox M004U |last=Domingo |first=Joel Santo |date=12 March 2014 |work=PC Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=23 April 2014}} Yahoo Tech columnist David Pogue called the Asus device among the smallest, "least-expensive desktop computers ever sold", likening it to a Smart car. "You won’t be hauling lumber from Home Depot in it, but it’s a terrific deal—and most days, it’ll get you where you want to go."{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/asus-chromebox-a-tiny-cheap-very-useful-computer-79473333263.html |title=Asus Chromebox: A Tiny, Cheap, Very Useful Computer |last=Pogue |first=David |date=14 March 2014 |work=Yahoo! Tech |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=24 April 2014}} In May, Asus released a faster model with an Intel Core i3 processor. Hewlett-Packard entered the market in June with a Chromebox powered by an Intel Celeron processor, optionally bundling a keyboard and mouse. In August, Acer introduced two models that could stand vertically and provided some business-oriented features, including encryption and fast deletion of local data. In September, Dell entered the market with an entry-level machine, as well as Dell's implementation of the Google video conferencing system.{{cite web |url=http://www.omgchrome.com/dell-chromebox-specs-price-and-release-date/ |title=$179 Dell Chromebox Will Hit US Stores Late September |last=Sneden |first=Joey-Elijah |date=5 September 2014 |work=OMG! Chrome! |publisher=Ohso Ltd |access-date=6 September 2014}}

In August 2015, AOpen announced a family of Chromeboxes designed principally for driving the content of digital commercial signage. The models were ruggedized for on-site operation.{{Cite web|title = AOPEN unveils commercial-grade Chrome OS devices as Google targets digital signage market|url = http://betanews.com/2015/03/11/aopen-unveils-commercial-grade-chrome-os-devices-as-google-targets-digital-signage-market/|website = BetaNews|access-date = 2016-01-19|last = Fagioli|first = Brian|date = August 2015}}

The capability to run Android apps with ChromeOS devices, introduced by Google in 2016 and realized by certain Chromebooks in 2017, seemed to bypass Chromeboxes until a cluster of new Chromebox offerings appeared in 2018, including Acer,{{cite web |last1=Davenport |first1=Corbin |title=Acer Chromebox CXI3 review: The ultimate Chrome OS desktop |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/07/12/acer-chromebox-cxi3-review-ultimate-chrome-os-desktop/ |website=Android Police |date=July 12, 2018}} Asus,{{cite web |last1=Danton |first1=Tim |title=Asus Chromebox 3 review: can this tiny computer replace a Windows PC? |url=https://bigtechquestion.com/2018/07/09/review/asus-chromebox-3-review/ |website=The Big Tech Question |date=June 2018}} and HP.{{cite web |title=The Chromebox now comes with Android Apps; HP and Asus launch Android App supported Chromebox|url=http://www.chromecomputing.com/chromebox-android-apps/ |website=Chrome Computing |date=November 9, 2018}} Oregon-based CTL (Compute Teach Learn), maker of Chromebooks since 2014, launched its first Chromebox in March 2018.{{cite web |last1=Brangers |first1=Gabriel |title=CTL launches affordable Kaby Lake Chromebox |url=https://chromeunboxed.com/news/ctl-kaby-lake-chromebox-education-displays |website=Chrome Unboxed |date=March 8, 2018}}

In late 2020, four major Chromebox manufacturers, HP,{{cite web|date=2020-09-22|title=HP announces Chromebox G3 and AMD-powered Pro c645 Chromebook for enterprise|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/09/22/hp-pro-c645-chromebook/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=9to5Google|language=en-US}} Acer,{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Asus,{{Cite web|date=November 19, 2020|title=ASUS Announces New Chromebox 4|url=https://www.asus.com/us/News/oph81mfe1qcyl1j8|access-date=2020-11-22|website=ASUS Latest News|language=en-US}} and CTL,{{Cite web|date=October 6, 2020|title=CTL unveils 10th Gen Comet Lake Chromebox CBx2|url=https://chromeunboxed.com/ctl-unveils-10th-gen-comet-lake-chromebox-cbx2/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Chrome Unboxed|language=en-US}} announced plans for new Chromebox models based on the 10th generation Intel Comet Lake architecture.

Models

{{Incomplete list|date=May 2022}}

class="wikitable sortable"
Available

! Brand

! Model

! Processor

! RAM

! Storage

! Size

!Auto Update Expiration date{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en|title=Auto Update policy - Google Chrome Enterprise Help|website=support.google.com|access-date=2019-03-01}}

2012-05

| rowspan="3" | Samsung

| Series 3 XE300M22-A01US

| Celeron B840

| rowspan="2" | 4 GB

| rowspan="2" | 16 GB SSD

| rowspan="2" | {{convert |1.3|x|7.6|x|7.6|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| rowspan="3" |Mar 2018

2013-01

| Series 3 XE300M22-A02US

| Intel Core i5-2450M

2013-03

| Series 3 XE300M22-B01US

| Celeron B840

| 4 GB

| 16 GB SSD

| {{convert|1.57|x|8.10|x|8.10|in|cm|abbr=on}}

2014-02

| Google

| Chromebox for Meetings{{efn|name=bundle}}

| Intel Core i7{{which|date=November 2019}}

|4 GB

|16 GB M.2 SSD

|{{convert|12.4|x|12.4|x|4.2|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|???

2014-03

| rowspan="2" | Asus

| Chromebox-M004U

| Intel Celeron 2955U

| 2 GB

| rowspan="2" | 16 GB M.2 SSD

| rowspan="2" | {{convert|4.88|x|4.88|x|1.65|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| rowspan="2" |???

2014-05

| Chromebox-M075U

| Intel Core i3-4010U

| 2 or 4 GB

rowspan="2" | 2014-06

| rowspan="2" | Hewlett-Packard

| HP Chromebox CB1

| Intel Celeron 2955U

| 2 GB / 4 GB / 8 GB

| rowspan="2" | 16 GB (128 GB Or more max) M.2 SSD

| rowspan="2" | {{convert|4.96|x|4.88|x|1.53|in|cm|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/business-solutions/hp-chromebox-%28energy-star%29-p-j5n52ut-aba--1 |title=HP Chromebox |publisher=Hewlett-Packard |access-date=6 November 2015}}

|???

HP Chromebox{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/06/11/hp_chromeboxes/ |title=HP has Chromeboxes with Intel Core i7 chips, but they'll cost you |last=McAllister |first=Neil |date=11 June 2014 |work=The Register |publisher=Situation Publishing |access-date=17 October 2014}}

| Intel Core i7-4600U

| 4 GB / 8 GB / 16 GB

|???

2014-08

| Acer

| Chromebox CXI{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/acer-introduces-chromebox-cxi-pc-family-starting-at-179-99/ |title=Acer introduces Chromebox CXI PC family starting at $179.99 |last=Portnoy |first=Sean |date=22 August 2014 |work=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=28 August 2014}}

| Intel Celeron 2957U

| 2 or 4 GB

| rowspan="1"|16 GB

|{{convert|6.5|x|5.1|x|1.3|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|???

rowspan="3"|2014-09

|rowspan="3"|Dell

|rowspan="2"| Dell Chromebox

| Intel Celeron 2955U

|2 GB

|rowspan="3"|16 GB

|rowspan="3"|{{convert|4.9|x|4.9|x|1.7|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|rowspan="2"|Sep 2019

Intel Core i3-4030U

| 4 GB

Dell Chromebox for Meetings{{efn|name=bundle}}

| Intel Core i7-4600U

| 4 GB

| Aug 2019

2014-08

| Asus

| Chromebox CN60

| Intel Celeron 2955U

| 2 GB / 4 GB / 16 GB

| rowspan="1"|16 GB (128 GB Or more max) M.2 SSD

|{{convert|1.6|x|4.9|x|4.9|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|Sep 2019

2017-07

|Asus

|Chromebox 2 CN62

|Intel Celeron 3215U

|2 GB / 4 GB / 16 GB

| rowspan="1" |16 GB (128 GB Or more max) M.2 SSD

|{{convert|1.6|x|4.9|x|4.9|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|Jun 2021

2015-03

| Acer

| Chromebox CXI{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2893287/acers-4k-chromebox-goes-big-on-ram-not-on-price.html |title=Acer's 4K Chromebox goes big on RAM, not on price |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=5 March 2015 |work=PC World |publisher=IDG |access-date=3 April 2015}}

| Intel Core i3-4030U (Haswell)

| 4 or 8 GB

| rowspan="1"|16 GB

|{{convert|6.5|x|5.1|x|1.3|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|???

2015-05

|Lenovo

|ThinkCentre Chromebox{{Cite web|url=http://psref.lenovo.com/Detail/ThinkCentre_Chromebox?M=10H50003US|title=ThinkCentre,ThinkCentre Chromebox,Model:10H50003US|website=psref.lenovo.com|access-date=2019-07-09}}

|Intel Celeron 3205U

|4 GB

|16 GB SSD

|{{convert |7.0|x|7.2|x|1.4|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|Jun 2021

2015-08

| AOPEN

| Chromebox Commercial{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com/press-releases/aopen-unveils-first-commercial-grade-device-based-on-google-chrome/ |title=AOPEN Unveils First Commercial Grade device based on Google Chrome |date=10 August 2015 |access-date=18 January 2016 |archive-date=9 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109012242/https://www.digitalsignagetoday.com/press-releases/aopen-unveils-first-commercial-grade-device-based-on-google-chrome/ |url-status=dead }}

| Intel N2930{{cite web |url=http://www.aopen.com/us/chromebox-commercial |title=Chromebox Commercial |access-date=18 January 2016 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325114955/http://www.aopen.com/us/chromebox-commercial |url-status=dead }} (quad core Atom)

| 4 GB

| rowspan="1"|32 GB{{cite web |url=http://cdn1.blocksassets.com/assets/aopen/aopen/4wBz39yqwZ56rgS/Specsheet-Chromebox-Commercial-september.pdf |title=Chromebox Commercial Specsheet |access-date=18 January 2016}}

|{{convert|6.5|x|6.2|x|0.9|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|Sep 2021

rowspan="4" |2018-04{{Cite news|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/acer-chromebox-cxi3-855321/|title=Do you like Chrome OS, but hate laptops? Acer's newest Chromebox might be for you|last=Pelegrin|first=Williams|date=2018-04-14|work=Android Authority|access-date=2018-04-16|language=en-US}}

| rowspan="4" |Acer

|Acer Chromebox CXI3 4GKM

|Intel Celeron 3865U

|4 GB

|32 GB

| rowspan="4" |{{convert|5.9|x|5.8|x|1.6|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| rowspan="4" |Jun 2025

Acer Chromebox CXI3 I38GKM

|Intel Core i3-7130U

| rowspan="2" |8 GB

| rowspan="3" |64 GB

Acer Chromebox CXI3 I58GKM

|Intel Core i5-8250U

Acer Chromebox CXI3 I716GKM

|Intel Core i7-8550U

|16 GB

rowspan="7" |2018-06{{cite web |last1=Abent |first1=Eric |title=ASUS Chromebox 3 launches: Here's what's inside |url=https://www.slashgear.com/asus-chromebox-3-launches-heres-whats-inside-01532602/ |website=Slash Gear |date=June 1, 2018}}

| rowspan="7" |Asus{{Cite web|url=https://www.asus.com/Chrome-Devices/ASUS-Chromebox-3/specifications/|title=ASUS Chromebox 3 {{!}} Chrome Devices {{!}} ASUS Global|website=ASUS Global|language=en|access-date=2018-06-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.asus.com/us/Displays-Desktops/Mini-PCs/Chrome-OS-devices/ASUS-Chromebox-3/|title=ASUS Chromebox 3 {{!}} Chrome Devices {{!}} ASUS USA|website=ASUS USA|language=en|access-date=2022-02-05}}

|Chromebox 3 N017U

|Intel Celeron 3865U

| rowspan="2" |4 GB

| rowspan="5" |32 GB

| rowspan="7" |{{convert|14.9|x|14.9|x|4|cm|in|abbr=on}}

| rowspan="7" |Jun 2025

Chromebox 3 N018U

|Intel Core i3-7100U

Chromebox 3 N019U

|Intel Core i3-7100U

| rowspan="2" |8 GB

Chromebox 3 N020U

|Intel Core i7-8550U

Chromebox 3 N3299UIntel Core i3-8130U

| 4 GB

Chromebox 3 N3289UIntel Core i3-8130U

| rowspan="2" |8 GB

| rowspan="2" |128 GB

Chromebox 3 N5327UIntel Core i5-8250U
rowspan="4" |2018-06{{cite web |last1=Tofel |first1=Kevin |title=HP Chromebox G2 now available direct starting at $199 |url=https://www.aboutchromebooks.com/news/hp-chromebox-g2-available-release-date-cost/ |website=aboutchromebooks.com |date=May 30, 2018}}

| rowspan="4" |HP

|HP Chromebox G2 3VD02UT

|Intel Celeron 3865U

|4 GB

| rowspan="3" |32 GB

| rowspan="4" |{{convert|5.87|x|5.87|x|1.57|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| rowspan="4" |Jun 2025

HP Chromebox G2 3VD03UT

|Intel Core i5-7300U

| rowspan="2" |8 GB

HP Chromebox G2 3VD04UT

|Intel Core i7-8650U

HP Chromebox G2 3VD05UT

|Intel Core i7-8650U

|16 GB

|64 GB

2018-07

|CTL{{Cite web |url=https://es.ctl.net/products/chromebox |title=Chromebox CBX1 | CTL Spain Chromebook Store |access-date=13 July 2018 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713231606/https://es.ctl.net/products/chromebox |url-status=dead }}

|CTL Chromebox CBX1

|Intel Celeron 3865U

|4 GB / 8 GB / 16 GB

|32 GB SSD

|{{convert|5.83|x|5.85|x|1.62|in|cm|abbr=on}}

|Jun 2025

2020-12-05[https://www.asus.com/Displays-Desktops/Mini-PCs/Chrome-OS-devices/ASUS-Chromebox-4/techspec/]

|Asus

|Asus Chromebox 4

|Intel Celeron 5205U

Intel Core i3-10110U

Intel Core i5-10210U

Intel Core i7-10510U

|4 GB / 8 GB / 16 GB

|32 GB eMMC

64 GB eMMC

128 GB M.2 SATA SSD

256 GB M.2 SATA SSD

M.2 PCIE GEN3x4 256 GB SSD

|{{convert|14.9|x|14.9|x|4|cm|in|abbr=on}}

|Jun 2028

Notes

{{notelist |refs=

{{efn|name=bundle |Equipment bundle}}

}}

References