The best Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops are a less mobile alternative to Chromebooks, and ideal for those who enjoy working with ChromeOS on a desk with large monitors and a host of accessories. They’re also a popular solution for retail spaces and kiosks that need a compact, easy-to-use Chrome device.
Whereas the best Chromebooks are quite plentiful and varied, Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops are usually limited to one or two models per major manufacturer. There are fewer models to choose from compared to laptops, but you can connect any keyboard, mouse, and monitor that you’d like. This holds true for all-in-one Chrome devices, except when a monitor comes built right in. We’ve put together a list of the best Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops to help you buy the latest and greatest hardware.
Thanks to its all-in-one design, HP’s Chromebase 21.5 sets itself apart from the other options in this list. Instead of just a small box with performance hardware inside, the Chromebase has a full setup with a display, speakers, camera, and more. It’s essentially the best of two Chrome OS worlds. You get a large screen that can rotate, excellent speakers, and even a wireless keyboard and mouse thrown in for good measure. Plus, there’s the touch interaction and sleek Chrome OS interface that you can get from a Chromebook.
The 21.5-inch display has a 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution and can rotate around for vertical or horizontal orientations. You can even attach other displays to the Chromebase if you need a larger setup. The display sits on a sturdy conical stand that houses the device’s performance hardware as well as some 5W stereo speakers. It’s all wrapped in a fabric that allows sound through while giving the Chromebase a bit of personality. A row of ports along the back of the stand includes two USB-A, two USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You can always add one of the best Chromebook docks if you need more ports. There’s also a power cord that slips into a channel under the bottom of the base for a cleaner look.
Inside, the Chromebase 21.5 is available with up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10110U processor (CPU), up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and up to a 256GB M.2 PCIe solid-state drive (SSD). We tested a model with this configuration in our HP Chromebase 21.5 review and came away with a smooth Chrome OS experience that could handle light gaming, productivity work, streaming, and more. HP does offer lesser configs with a Pentium CPU and as low as 4GB of RAM, but we recommend the Core chip and at least 8GB of RAM to keep from experiencing hangups and issues with multitasking.
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CTL’s Chromebox CBx2 has a more traditional Chromebox design. The small box has a bead-blasted matte finish for the plastic body, and it even comes with a VESA mounting kit if you’d like to get it completely off your desk. A lock slot on the side adds some extra peace of mind if you’re working in a busy office. The front of the CBx2 offers two USB-A ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. These are joined by USB-C, two HDMI, USB-A 2.0, USB-A 3.0, and an RJ45 Ethernet port on the back.
We tested a model with an Intel Celeron 5205U CPU in our CTL Chromebox CBx2 review and found that even light tasks with this dual-core chip caused the fan to become audible. Nevertheless, the system remained cool under load. Part of the draw to the CBx2 is the wide range of available performance hardware. You can go as low as the Celeron CPU with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, or as high as a Core i7-10510U CPU with 32GB of RAM and 250GB of storage.
Even with a low configuration, the Chromebox could keep up with web browsing and light Android apps. But if you’re multitasking or want to take advantage of running heavier software through the included Linux container, going with at least 8GB of RAM and a Core CPU is recommended. With prices starting at around $269 and climbing up to hit closer to $750, there are plenty of options for various users.
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The Chromebox CXI4 from Acer is built into a tidy little case that can sit horizontally, stand vertically with the included stand, or be mounted with included VESA hardware. It even comes with a wired keyboard and mouse to help you get started. The CXI4 has a silvery finish with black caps on the end surrounding the ports, of which plenty exist. Acer really didn’t mess around in this regard, offering up two USB-A 3.2 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader on the front, as well as three USB-A 3.2, RJ45 Ethernet, two HDMI 2.0, and USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) on the back. If you’re comfortable getting inside the Chromebox, Acer offers two M.2 slots — one for an SSD and one for a WLAN card — for upgrades.
Base models start in the affordable $280 range, though the Intel Celeron 5205U CPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage will struggle to keep up with heavy multitasking or even light gaming. Luckily, Acer offers up to an Intel Core i7-10610U CPU (with Core i3 and Core i5 stops along the way), 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB M.2 SSD for altogether strong performance. These models climb in price quickly, and you can expect to pay closer to $900 for a model that’s maxed out.
Note that the Acer Chromebox CXI5 was announced at CES 2023 and will feature Intel’s 12th Gen processors. It’s expected to launch within the first half of 2023 with no solid release date stated.
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Like the Acer Chromebox CXI4, the ASUS Chromebox 4 offers a wide range of performance hardware and plenty of ports in a compact plastic case. You can configure it with up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U CPU, though there are also Core i5, Core i3, and Celeron options if you want to pay less and don’t need as much speed.
We still recommend using a Core CPU and at least 8GB of RAM for a better experience, especially if you plan on multitasking or gaming with your Chromebox. Acer offers up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and up to a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD to match the upgraded processor speed. Our ASUS Chromebox 4 review noted that the fans are noticeable but kick on less often than other Chromeboxes we’ve tested. The Chromebox 4 can either be placed on a desk or mounted with the included VESA kit.
The front of the Chromebox includes two USB-A ports (3.2 Gen 1 for Celeron CPU and 3.2 Gen 2 for Core CPUs), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The back of the box has another three USB-A, USB-C, two HDMI 2.0, RJ45 Ethernet, and a Kensington lock slot. Some rear USB-A ports change generations for the Celeron chip, but you otherwise get the same selection. The ASUS Chromebox 4 starts at a very affordable price, and even the more powerful models with a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of M.2 storage sit at around $600.
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The HP Chromebox G3 has a satisfying rounded-edge design and compact case that won’t take up much room on your desk. It has a Kensington lock slot on the side to keep it in place within a busy office, and it even comes with VESA mounting hardware to get it completely out of the way. The front of the Chromebox G3 has two USB-A 3.0 ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The back includes USB-C, two HDMI, two more USB-A 3.0, and RJ45 Ethernet. It’s a fairly straightforward setup that should offer you the right connectivity to attach all accessories and displays.
HP has plenty of hardware to mix and match at checkout, but the price is one major drawback. A model with an Intel Pentium Gold 6405U CPU, 32GB of eMMC storage, and 4GB of RAM starts at $560, putting it in the price range of competing Chromeboxes with Intel Core CPUs and much more storage and memory. Upgrading the CPU, memory, and storage quickly adds up, but you can set up a rather powerful model if your budget can handle the blow. Get up to a Core i7-10610U CPU, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and 128GB of M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage for about $1,660.
The good news? HP often hosts sales on its official website, and third-party retailers also seem to have great deals. For example, a Chromebox G3 with Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage costs about $490 at Amazon, making it much easier to digest.
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The ASUS Fanless Chromebox is best used for commercial or enterprise uses in which you need a reliable computer to run a setup. ASUS lists applications like retail POS and digital signage in stores or kiosks, and the Fanless Chromebox even has the Legacy RS-232 (RJ50) serial port required for barcode scanners and printers. Why is it fanless? Without needing any airflow, you can tuck it away in a cabinet or under a display case to keep it out of sight. It even comes with a VESA mount to really get it out of the way, and a lock slot keeps it in place.
The Fanless Chromebox otherwise has two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front. The back has another three USB-A 3.2 ports, two HDMI 2.0, USB-C 3.2 (Gen 1), RJ45 Ethernet, and an extended power switch for operating other connected devices. Configure models start with an Intel Celeron 5205U CPU and go all the way up to a Core i7-10510U chip for ultimate performance. It’s joined by up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.
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The Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops included above represent the best you can buy today. Many of them, however, can be customized with different levels of performance hardware, which can lead to over- or under-buying for your needs. There are some major factors to keep in mind when choosing your Chromebox or Chrome desktop:
Getting the best Chromebox or Chrome desktop for you
Many of the best Chromeboxes share a similar compact design and performance levels. Then, you also have Chrome desktops and all-in-ones like the HP Chromebase, which can take on the role of the family computer thanks to its built-in 21.5-inch FHD touch display, zippy performance, 5W stereo speakers, and competitive price.
In our HP Chromebase 21.5 review, Commerce Editor Ara Wagoner noted that it “lets you have the best of both Chrome OS worlds: the much larger screen and beefier speakers of a desktop with the touch interaction and easy-to-use interface of a Chromebook.” It’s good enough to earn our Editor’s Choice badge and should be a perfect pick if you’d like to buy all you need in one go. HP even tosses in a pretty solid wireless keyboard and mouse to get you going.
If you’re looking for a more traditional Chromebox and don’t want to overspend, CTL’s Chromebox CBx2 comes with a wide variety of performance hardware and a very reasonable starting price. It’s compact, can be VESA-mounted, and has a generous selection of ports. Similarly, the Acer Chromebox CXI4 has a ton of available hardware, a great port selection, a vertical stand, and VESA mounting hardware. And for ultimate performance, you can get it with up to a Core i7-10610U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB M.2 SSD.
Note that Lenovo also announced a new ThinkCentre M60q Chromebox intended for enterprise use at the end of 2022, and we’re still waiting for a solid release date. There is also expected to be a consumer version available. The M60q is modeled after similar compact ThinkCentre PCs and will feature 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs, many ports, and Wi-Fi 6E.
Conclusion on Best Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops in 2023
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