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Tested: Asus Chromebox Based On Haswell Core i3
MojoKid writes "The Asus Chromebox is a tiny palm-sized machine similar in form and footprint to Intel's line of NUC (Next Unit of Computing) mini PCs. One of the higher-end Asus Chromebox variants coming to market employs Intel's 4th generation Haswell Core series processor architecture with Integrated HD 4400 graphics. The machine is packed with fair number of connectivity options including four USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, HDMI and DisplayPort output, a microSD Flash card slot, 802.11n dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0. It also sports a 1.7GHz dual-core Core i3-4010U processor with Hyper-Threading for four logical processing threads and 4GB of DDR3 1600MHz memory. Finally, the onboard 16GB SSD storage might be appear a bit meager, but it's backed up by 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage for 2 years. In testing, the device proved to be capable in some quick and dirty browser-based benchmarks. For the class of device and use case that the Chromebox caters to, Google has covered most of what folks look for with the Chrome OS. There's basic office productivity apps, video and media streaming apps, and even a few games that you might care to fire up. The Asus Chromebox handles all of these usage types with ease and it's also barely audible while consuming only about 18 Watts under load."
Any word if these can be reformatted to run OpenELEC?
Can I install Windows 8.1 on this so I can get rid of the Google ad/spy ware?
An Intel NUC with a different label and similar price point.
Yeah, this computer is completely unsuited for my needs as a bitcoin mining supercomputer, so no one should buy one.
Unless, of course, you have different needs than mine.
Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
Can it be hacked to run a real OS like Windows or, preferably, OS X?
That's a twist, ay? A sign of things to come! Watch the skies. For the Goog. They will come!
A lightweight one with X and xfce. Put /user on a USB drive and you're set.
I wonder how hard it is to hack the bootloader?
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Even though I do find myself using things like OneDrive and Dropbox to keep non-sensitive stuff I'm working on available at home or at work, I'm not totally convinced that most power users will be replacing their PC or laptop with what's essentially a thin client that Google has control over.
On the other hand, for people who truly don't know any better, live in a location with five-nine, super-fast broadband access and just don't have the savvy to understand that their data is being mined by a third party, this might take off. It's the same reason tablets are taking off among the "content consumer" set. Amazon is doing something very similar with the Kindle Fire -- basically give away the hardware with the knowledge that Amazon uses your browsing habits to improve their prediction engine.
Honestly, I wish Google and similar services would offer a "paid" version with no data mining or tracking. People forget that the awesome search engine, maps, etc. aren't a free resource, and their data is paying Google's bills.
Can it run Linux?
The Acer c720 chromebook runs Linux like a charm for only 200 dollars... could this become the desktop equivalent?
I'm not sure of that. It is on my Acer C720 chromebook (laptop). If it's M.2 you may be able to just buy a bigger SSD on e.g. newegg, load linux or a BSD onto it, and throw it in. Google for instructions, not all chromebook BIOS's allow non-chrome OS installs.
-Matt
With 64gb microSD's less than $33 retail (on sale) the limited onboard storage is yet another attempt to force 'cloud' storage subscriptions,.
I still hate the fact that mini-devices sport so many ports which require traditional plugs. For example Apple has sported the magnetic power connection for ages - when plugging my Air into devices/power, it's by far my preferred of connector - and don't understand why while technology focuses on things like throughput they don't look at simple usability like connecting the throughput as a very common-sense improvement. In short, fuck USB 3.0, fuck the throughput, I just want to plug in my mouse without having to either visually line shit up or non-visually fish around for the right way to connect two things.
$369?!?!
No thanks. I can get a better laptop/Netbook/tablet for cheaper and they include a screen.
I can build a better desktop for cheaper as well.
If I want to experiment I'll get a RPi
What niche is this filling?
Possibly good for an automotive entertainment center or in an RV... but nah. Way over priced. Let me know when it's under $100.
After dealing with the nightmare that is Asus support / customer Service. I'll never purchase anything they make again
So used to typing "user" in various contexts. I meant "/usr".
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It cheeses me off.
Well, that's put a mountain of Intel's cash into the pockets of the owners of Slashdot.
When it comes to MAINS-based Android and ChomeOS, there is less that ZERO reason to use anything but ARM. Intel's ONLY argument for x86 use in MOBILE Android/Chromebooks is better performance per unit of battery power (which actually is untrue, but if true would be a weak but valid argument).
And I trust we KNOW that Intel is illegally paying companies to use their low power CPU parts (giving them a NEGATIVE cost). Chromebooks only had Intel ULV parts in them, for instance, because Intel gave Google's partners its crown-jewel low-power CPU parts for a tiny fraction (25%) of their usual cost.
Today, with the decline in PC sales, Intel has oodles of spare capacity, and given the main cost of an Intel part is capital expenditure of the chip plants themselves, Intel can churn out far more CPU chips than the conventional market requires, at minimum cost to itself. The only problem Intel faces is not undercutting its own highly profitable traditional markets.
Using an x86 chip for Android or ChromeOS is every bit as MAD as using a non-x86 chip for Microsoft NT Windows, back in the day when Microsoft theoretically supported FOUR+ distinct CPU architectures on its NT platform. Yes, you can do it- and YES, the people behind the OS 'say' it is "just as good", but the reality is vastly different. Software compatibility is EVERYTHING, and with x86 of ChromeOS or Android, you can kiss proper compatibility goodbye.
Now the shills will point out that doing almost nothing on ChromeOS, using a handful of Google approved front-line apps, pretty much works as well on x86 as ARM, but the same BULLSHIT lies were used to justify Windows NT on the other non-x86 parts that Microsoft, IN THEORY, supported.
There are dozens of companies producing ARM SoC parts, but just ONE artificially pushing x86 into this ecosystem. And WHY does Intel do this? Because with the biggest mountain of cash imaginable, and the rapid decline of its traditional marketplace, it has nothing to lose, and no where else to go. Doesn't make Intel's move of any possible use to the industry/users, though.
And remember this. The PC saw its biggest expansion in years with the move to a PC architecture for both the Xbox One and PS4 consoles. And how much Intel manufactured technology is in these two, state-of-the-art PC boxes? ABSOLUTELY ZERO! Intel can't even find a place for itself in new emerging PC products.
What's the difference b/w /user and /usr? I've seen both
Is XFCE the default UI for Chrome OS? Or is it something else?
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The C720 works wonderful with Bodhi Linux :) I use it for traveling. Sometimes I run bfgminer on for the ASIC miners. Quite usefull when you dump ChromeOS
The 100gb Google Drive is obviously useless.
16GB storage is still more than enough to install and operate a very useful little system though. Somehow I suspect there would be problems trying to get free drivers for some of the hardware, otherwise I might consider grabbing one and slapping slack on it.
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Friends don't let friends enable ecmascript.
Craptastic.HD anything sucks balls there I said it.
Probably the highest usefulness-to-cost ratio of any computer I've purchased, given it only cost only about $250 and is so low maintenance and light weight (and relatively droppable).
I still like a recent MacBook Pro better though for the bigger screen and better keyboard (including backlit) and better trackpad, as well as the ability to run Eclipse and some other software etc.. But for many people, the extra $1000 or more would not be worth it.
I enjoy the Chromebook immensely more that a Win 8 laptop that has been very frustrating to use, which every time I turn it on nags me with updates and other notices and long reboot cycles and such and just endless clutter getting in the way of actually just using it -- all while not doing much to mitigate security risks from downloads the way a web browser can mitigate risks from loading a web page.
And in a few years, with improvements in web tools including native code compilation within sandboxed zones, the convenience factor of something like the Chromebook will continue to improve. Meanwhile, both Windows and Mac OS seem to be devolving into harder to use systems.
A 21st century issue: the irony of technologies of abundance in the hands of those still thinking in terms of scarcity.
Just got one and for a small doing light work it's really nice. Well once I loaded Ubuntu on it and did get rid of the Google spyware.
The thing does run Ubuntu just fine. I'm typing this on it right now. Too bad they don't sell these up front with Ubuntu loaded on it.