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Google's Chromebit Micro-Computer Launches (techcrunch.com)

Posted by Soulskill on from the go-small-or-go-home dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Back in March, Google announced the Chromebit, a small computer crammed into an HDMI stick that runs Chrome OS. The device, built by Asus, has now launched for $85. It weighs 75 grams, runs on a Rockchip ARM processor, and includes a USB port. It has 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM, and connects via 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. According to Tech Crunch, the Chromebit is not particularly fast, but it's usable for basic tasks. "As long as the work only involves web apps (or maybe a remote connection to a more fully-featured machine), the Chromebit is up for the job and can turn any screen into a usable desktop."

4 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Price/Keyboard vs Chromebook by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 4, Informative

    This isn't for a replacement to a Chromebook. This is to run Chrome Apps on your 60" TV

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
  2. Not worth it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not when you can get something like the Kangaroo for $15 more:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/...

    Has an Intel cpu, 2gb memory, 32gb built in storage and comes with Windows 10 (home) but can run Linux also.

  3. Re:HDMI really needs the ability to source power.. by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yep. Problem is 99% of all TV manufacturers don't supply more than 0.5A of power there. Every stinking time we try to use a stick powered via the HDMI and it fails, we have to plug in the USB as well. and on some sets an external USB power as they cant supply any real power out their USB jacks.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  4. Re:Price/Keyboard vs Chromebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes, including hardware H.265 (not just H.264) decoding, all the way up to 4K resolutions and full HDMI 2.0 (so yes, 4K@60) support, and even supporting 30-bit "deep color" mode just for gits and shiggles:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockchip_RK3288

    Honestly I'm considering grabbing one as a video-player for one of the Seiki 4K's I picked up back when they were $250, as this looks to be an ideal pair for a 'dumb 4K' TV to give it useful 'smart' features.

    - WolfWings, way too lazy to login to /. in way too many years.