14 DAY TRIAL // Chromebox systems are basically Chromebooks in mini desktop shape, and they perform various streaming, image, document and video editing tasks despite having fairly weak specs of their own. The new one from HP is no exception.
Well, perhaps we should call them new "ones" because HP has prepared several, four apparently. Although it's more accurate to say that it's offering one system in four case color options.
Said color options are black, white, marine blue and dark grey. HP hasn't exactly released all the specs of the Chromebox, since availability won't ramp up until this spring (2014).
We do know, though, that the CPU could be a Core i7 unit, since this is supposed to be a stronger than usual business model.
Storage probably won't go beyond 16 GB either, since there's barely any need for more than what the Chrome OS needs.
But HP did say that the Chromebox has four USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI output, Bluetooth and DisplayPort connectivity.
"The HP Chromebox is easy to set up as a new or replacement desktop. It works with standard keyboards, mice and displays, and offers connectivity using HDMI, DisplayPort and Bluetooth, along with four USB 3.0 ports. Like other Chrome devices from HP, the Chromebox offers a fast, easy and safe computing experience for you and your family," said the company.
So why do Chromeboxes make do with such modest hardware? Because they do everything in the cloud. The PC only really runs the applications that connect the Chromebox to Google cloud servers. All the browsing and file editing applications are run there.
That said, the HP Chromebox can be mounted at the back of a monitor using a standard VESA mount. Finally, thanks to Google’s web-based management and configuration tools, maintenance costs are cut down via automatic updates, and there’s even built-in TPM security and multi-layered virus protection.