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Asus Announces Small Form Factor 'Chromebox' PCs
MojoKid writes "Asus stepped out this morning with something new for the Chrome OS powered hardware crowd, called a "Chromebox" small form factor PC. Just as Google has been evangelizing with its Chromebook notebook initiative, the pitch for these Chromebox systems is that they're capable of doing everything you need to do in today's connected world. While not everyone will totally agree with that marketing pitch — gaming, 3D modeling, and a host of specialized tasks are better suited for a PC with higher specs — there's certainly a market for these types of devices. They're low cost, fairly well equipped, and able to handle a wide variety of daily computing chores. There are two SKUs being released in the U.S. The first starts at $179 and sports an Intel Celeron 2955U processor, and the second features an Intel Core i3 4010U CPU (no mention of price just yet), both of which are based on Intel's 4th generation Haswell CPU architecture. Beyond the processor, these fan-less boxes come with two SO-DIMM memory slots with 2GB or 4GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, a 16GB SSD, a GbE LAN port, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 2-in-1 memory card reader, four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, a DisplayPort, an audio jack, and a Kensington Lock. ASUS also includes a VESA mount kit with each Chromebox, and Google tosses in 100GB of Google Drive space free for two years."
Just as Google has been evangelizing with its Chromebook notebook initiative, the pitch for these Chromebox systems is that they're capable of doing everything you need to do in today's connected world. While not everyone will totally agree with that marketing pitch — gaming, 3D modeling, and a host of specialized tasks are better suited for a PC with higher specs — there's certainly a market for these types of devices.
Wasn't one launched by Samsung a few years ago and utterly flopped?
http://www.engadget.com/2012/0...
This space for rent.
Can you put Linux on the thing?
It would be nice to have something I could use to write up blog posts and the like, without having to resort to touchscreen keyboards or breaking out the 5 lb, 17" powerhouse I use for *real* work.
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Upon actually bothering to read the summary (I figured it was a new, low-end Chromebook), I now see that it's not a laptop, but looks more like a set-top box.
So, new question... would it make a cost-effective Scrypt-based cryptocurrency miner?
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
What is an SKU? Don't answer, I don't care, article ignored.
That's a perfectly good desktop PC for business. It doesn't need to be set up as a Chromebook. This thing will be powering call centers and other desktops with modest requirements.
You could probably put Windows 7 Embedded (which is simply a version of Windows that lets you make a distro with unwanted features removed) on it.
These things might sell quite well to libraries and businesses that need clients for web-based apps. They're also ideal second (or third) machines for households with kids. Maintaining my kid's Windows-based machine takes time and effort and Chrome would do away with that while still allowing him to use the sites and apps that matter the most -- Youtube, Google Apps for homework and gmail. He doesn't need or use much more.
Zotac zbox, Intel Nuc, Apple Mac Mini, Gigabyte Brix, Samsung Chromebox, Lenovo Q190 etc, etc.
Just looks like an ultra low end NUC with Chrome OS on it.
"Thanks for Windows 8!"
Heh heh.
Cheap hardware. No MS tax. Noms.
..don't panic
I can't wait until Google starts going downhill, and all these little spy boxes get thrown away.
Brave Sir Robin ran away. ("No!") Bravely ran away away. ("I didn't!")
This or a chromebook is the ideal computer for grandma who just needs to check her e-mail and surf a bit. I know because I got one for myself then when I could not stand Chrome-OS's annoying limitations I transferred to an elderly relative. CHromeOS is a wonderful concept and I thought it would be a panacea but it just blows for anyone but the most primitive user.
things you can't do without pain:
1) this network OS can't actually do any local networking.
2) can't mount a local network disk
3) can't print to a local printer by itself
4) can't run any other OS practically. Oh sure you can install linux, but then the whole machine goes to crap. It won't autoupdate chomeos any longer once you install linux. And it will erase the linux partition if you touch the wrong key at boot time. Some nut jobs have told "just reflash your roms so doesn't do that". Which sort of proves my point.
6) you can't run most software without an internet connection.
7) all the chromebooks I've used don't handle many common external screens properly.
8) there's no granularity of security. your username and password is your login. you can't sever the connection. You can't tell what exactly APPS do with the permissions you give them.
9) virtually no documentation and fickle SDK capabilities at googles pleasure.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Hah, unless Google fixes their bandwidth greedy sync engine for Google Drive, offering free storage is not much of an incentive...unless the people who buy it have not actually tried to use GD before, I suppose.
"I love animals! Some are cute, others are tasty, what's not to like?" - Betsy Schroeder, Jeopardy contestant
You're going to want to delete slashdot's cookies to get out of beta mode.
Same issue on my phone.
Holy crap.
Slashdot is not useless on it. Good GOD
http://saveie6.com/
Fanless? Can I swap the SSD and slap Windows 7 on the i3 model?
Do want.
... that I picked up a couple years back. I replaced a dedicated HTPC I'd built for my living room for around the same price (US $330 at the time) with it. It's much quieter. It's quick to load. It works great for streaming media from Hulu, Netflix, and Pandora. I can also use it with my Plex server for my local media.
Enough already Slashdot! Beta Slashdot SUCKS!
I can't even damn log in and revert to classic mode.
This layout SUCKS. I can't even go back to classic now
Interesting. I thought I couldn't log in on the beta site just because I was stuck using IE8...sounds like it might be a wider issue.. And yes, the new layout is too wasteful of precious screen real-estate.
~$179 for the ChromeOS...!
Looks great and a lot like the Mac Mini I just bought and _love_ - it's so quiet, runs cool - best bang for my bucks. Why aren't Mac Minis more popular?
These things have been around as a niche product for many years. Only difference is Asus is loading Chrome on them, when usually they don't come with anything.
I always thought they were a bit of a tough sell. 2-400$ where 3-4 you get a netbook, or 4-5 a low end laptop. That come with windows. That come with a monitor. That come with a battery and can be cordless.
Anyway I don't see this as much of a move, simply another player in a small market.
hardly anybody sees the inherent danger this platform is to personal computing.
Ick.
Windows 8.1 is like Carter as ChromeOS is like Reagan, the price is ~179 and Trickling Down...!
If this type of box was under $100, I would jump on it. At $65 I would buy several. Currently trying to get a BeagleBone Black (when they get stock again) for the same general purpose, but being able to drive a 4k display would be worth a little extra.
The Pawn Stars guy won't give you enough for a bus ticket to Reno. Oh NOES!
Proverbs 21:19
Can you run steam on this . Or load SteamOS if so I think this would be very interesting to have this coupled with steam in home streaming.
Isn't there still a tiny "use classic mode" link at the bottom of the page?
Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
Surely it would be better to have a TV, with a built in Chromebox?
As you go up-range on TVs, you get seem to get the same panel, with a prettier frame, and more and more god-awful/useless features.
In the same way the computer invaded my phone, could they please invade my TV?
You suddenly get something supported, that can run cross-manufactuer apps etc - and once you've got a CPU and some storage in there, you can start to bolt the tuner/PVR/Guide etc into the OS. Then add in the Google 'cloud' and you'd be able to sign into your hotel room TV and watch your films, your channels and maybe video-conference to your friends. God-knows if this is the direction of the TV world - but it's certainly not a curved screen, and I'm sure Google would fall over themselves to know what you're watching when you're not in-front of your PC.
Android 'smart keys' or 'stick computers' cost as little as 30 dollars, and are first class basic computing devices. Indeed, it is only with the most recent Atom from Intel (which has a vastly higher price tag), that Atom chips can match the HD video decode and GPU power of the ultra-cheapo ARM SoC parts.
However, Kabini from AMD and Baytrail from Intel, while pricier than the ARM equivalents, are still cheap enough to allow a basic PC box to be built for well under 100 dollars. This Intel inspired NUC design is a bad joke. Worse, ChromeOS is the ultimate bad joke unless all you wish to do is hand over all your personal data to Google. ChromeOS is so crippled, it only makes sense in its laptop variety, where many people force their parents to use a Chromebook, so IT support for the damned thing is as easy and brainless as possible.
Want a PC- get the real thing with Windows and a HDD. Want to keep your parents online, without support hassle- get them a Chromebook.
It appears one just gets the box. Unless you can re-purpose old accessories, you'll need to buy a monitor, HDMI cable, mouse and keyboard which in total could cost more than the black box. Of course if you have an HD TV with HDMI input, that takes care of that and maybe a old mouse and keyboard, you're all set. You also must run the HDMI cable from the box to the TV if that's your choice which could be inconvenient in the living room. A BT keyboard and mouse would be better in that situation. One could also get a KVM switch with HDMI ports added to your current setup. All this would increase cost regardless of your situation and choices. On the other hand, Chromebooks might cost less as the screen is there as well as a trackpad and keyboard.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
The box looks like it is based on the Intel Next Unit of Computing, but at a much lower price point. A bare "kit" of an NUC without a drive is more expensive. It should be able to run Linux after the Chrome bootloader issue is addressed.
http://www.intel.com/content/w...
The truth shall set you free!
The Penguin Wee's a little box which supports an array of configurations. It's not limited by a 16GB SSD and your definitely not forced to store documents in the "cloud". I've been using it as an entertainment PC connected to a 50" 1080p HDMI TV. It works great with a Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400.
I don't understand the problem with paying a bit more when your talking about an entertainment setup. By the time you get done with it a proper setup can save significantly on cable TV costs. I've been able to eliminate my $100+ monthly cable bill and I'm not even paying more for internet access or other streaming services.
I'd be doubtful a $180 box could truly handle it... well that is. I've hooked up other cheapo devices before that people had claimed were capable of 1080p (like the Raspberry Pi) and the experience was horrible. Despite being buggy storage is an issue and SD cards just don't cut it. While this device is a lot more powerful I'm skeptical its a good solution compared real computers like the Penguin Wee that are of a similar form factor.
16 GB SSD? One can purchase off-lease/refurb PCs with a lot more oomph outta DA box than these, for far less. Asus really needs to reconsider the price points here. This is a glorified pi on a good day.
I have a x501a Asus i3 4 gigs ram and it struggles to play facebook slot machine games like doubledown and doubleu. If you have less than an i7 I guess your boned.
I think the tablets might have already corner that market.
I'd be doubtful a $180 box could truly handle it... well that is. I've hooked up other cheapo devices before that people had claimed were capable of 1080p (like the Raspberry Pi) and the experience was horrible. Despite being buggy storage is an issue and SD cards just don't cut it. While this device is a lot more powerful I'm skeptical its a good solution compared real computers like the Penguin Wee that are of a similar form factor.
My Celeron 847 NUC has no issues with 1080p playback and bitstreaming DTS-HD MA on OpenELEC; and these new Haswell Chromeboxen are certainly no less powerful. Spec-wise, they're better in every respect except for mSATA ports.
SECONDED.
I don't "do" cookies at all, and from time to time I get randomly redirected to beta.
It annoyed me that much that I explicitly put beta in my hosts file. Since then I see the "unconfigured" page of my lighttpd, much better :-)
(I'll have to add a 301 to my local lighttpd back to slashdot.org and let the to servers fight it out between themselves ;-)
I've done this. Do it. It's the best setup by far.
PS: Forced titles to replies is fucking stupid, ./ beta site is weak.
I've got a TV that I use as a big dumb display, with the items providing my media, hanging out the back of it on wires.
There's a big chunk of manufacturer bullet points in their sales pitch completely ignored - as I'm much happier bypassing them all.
Would be much better if they'd actually built something I wanted into the TV initially.
Better still, if they'd all build something in that was standardized. I get a new phone, I sign in, my profile/apps/etc all magically get pulled down from the cloud. I'd quite like to be able to do this with all TVs I bump into.