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Chromebox

google.com

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Re: Chromebox

#151

Post by kamjam »

idleloops wrote: post #137
SandB0x wrote: post #106

What a travesty of a launch. What can it actually do ? Stop telling me about "multiple USB ports and multiple display options". Should I get one instead of an iPad or a new laptop? Is it a new name for a Google TV device? "Place it anywhere" ? As opposed to what? Buy now? OK I'm in the United Kingdom, that's lucky. Let me buy it from...PC World? This leads to a page with a screenshot of a netbook/Chromebook and a Chr…

Yeah I noticed that too. Plus when I looked (followed the links), the only Chromebooks on Amazon UK were Acer versions with Atom CPUs.

Yeah, and does it have internal storage... if so how much, and how much is free user space... if not, how do i add storage, usb?

I like how the specifications tab just gives us 2 pictures. Really, that's the specifications?

Now I know there was a /sarc comment aboce about Apple and sepcs... but even mobile phone websites have better specs than this!

Seriously Google, your average user is not going to give a sh!t about this at moment and only those more tech savvy will likely but this right now!

Re: Chromebox

#152

Post by GFischer »

platinum1 wrote: post #76
i386 wrote: post #73

This is a terrible page and the product manager of this thing should be ashamed. The inmates are truly running the asylum. The technical specs are completely irrelevant to the interests of the majority of consumers. This page needs to show what this is capable of without the foreknowledge of what Chrome OS is or is capable of or what Googles other offerings are. Sell me a story! Tell me why my life is going to be bet…

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features-key.h... Is that better? edit: To explain, I think how they expect you to experience the website is: http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/ (from www.google.com/chromeos) http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features.html http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features-key.ht... http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features-device...…

It's still not good enough for me, though it is a million times better.

"Go fast". The set top Androids are also pretty fast. Also, as someone said, who reboots these days? (though it's a selling point for a media player replacement)

"Stream HD movies without a hitch", ok, that's a selling point, though my cheap Android phone does well enough on "good enough" quality, so I'd expect the Android set top boxes or equivalents to do just as well.

"Go straight online to creating, sharing and enjoying. Chrome devices come with built-in apps for editing photos, creating documents and presentations, and video chat, so you can get everyday tasks done right out of the box."

Ok, though the Android boxes do that too.

"Google+ Hangouts. You can also integrate multiple chat accounts with apps like imo or eBuddy. "

Not a selling point for me (what is a Hangout?)

Edit: I tried explaining myself. Why the downvote instead of a rebuttal? (I can accept those)

Re: Chromebox

#154

Post by MatthewPhillips »

mtgx wrote: post #87
georgemcbay wrote: post #17

For $199 I'd consider it. For $329, no way.

I think $150-$200 would've been the sweet spot for a ChromeBox, and $200-$300 the sweetspot for a Chromebook, depending on the configuration, quality of materials, etc. Also, I see no reason why these shouldn't be running ARM chips. All you're using is the web, so it's not tied down to the x86 architecture like Windows is.

Desktop Chrome is definitely tied to x86.

Re: Chromebox

#155

Post by metatronscube »

sherwin wrote: post #56

I used a Chromebook (Samsung Series 5) for an entire academic year as a student. The biggest benefits were having everything synced in the cloud (so you're not too attached to it), extreme portability (super thin and super light, instant on is fantastic) and ~10 hours of battery life. I charged the thing about once a week! However, I question who would get a Chromebox though, because the portability + battery life +…

Yeah I used my Acer AC700 Chromebook for the same sort of things (research and keeping in touch) and I found it ground to a halt when I had more than 10 tabs open. The most recent UI update has rendered the thing useless for more than a few active tabs so im beginning to question what these are really for.

I honestly don't think these will get any market penetration they are just too under powered, sluggish and expensive. They are definitely no use as a primary machine but even as a secondary machine its basically useless (I mean you are paying 300 quid to open 10 tabs and nothing else!!!) Im reaching to my ipad for a second device.

Re: Chromebox

#157

Post by jurre »

smellypantsman wrote: post #131

This is absolutely perfect for my business' use case: 4 customer support advisers who currently use Win7 with just browsers open to our custom built web app. This will be so much cheaper and less maintenance. Only downside is that while it supports 2 screens currently (I'm hoping an update fixes this real soon) it can ridiculously only show the same thing on both screens! No extended desktop. I was first to buy one a…

May I ask why you would run win7 on those machines and not a free linux distro?

Re: Chromebox

#158

Post by jellicle »

jasomill wrote: post #105

Given the 16GB SSD, clearly Google assumes users will be storing most everything online. First question I'd have as a consumer, then, is, does it include some "cloud" equivalent of a Mac mini's Time Machine? Specifically, if my Google account is hacked and the attacker deletes all my music, photos, documents, email, etc., can I recover them? If not, saving a couple hundred bucks plus the cost of a USB backup drive se…

Or if the attacker is Google just locking you out of your account one day?

Re: Chromebox

#159

Post by hollerith »

Juha wrote: post #132

There is a second version (XE300M22-A02US) with Core i5 processor and 499$ pricetag: http://www.chromestory.com/2012/05/two-chromeboxes-second-49...

Advantages this version of the Chromebox has over the base-model Mac mini: slightly faster Core i5; more USB ports (6 versus 4); more DisplayPorts (2 versus 1); comes with more RAM (4 gigs versus 2 gigs); $69 cheaper (using the Chromebox's list price versus Amazon's current price for the Mac mini).

Advantages the mini has over the Chromebox: memory upgradable to 16 gigs (Apple says 8 gigs, but others report that 16 gigs works) whereas the Chromebox's memory does not seem upgradable at all; Firewire and Thunderbolt ports whereas to attach an external drive to the Chromebox your only choice seems to be slow USB 2; storage upgradeable (specifically, you can add an SDD or a second hard drive to the mini).

How repairable and upgradable the Chromebox is I do not know -- googling for "chromebox teardown" finds nothing interesting. iFixit gives the mini a relatively-high repairability rating of 8.5 (but adding a second drive to the mini requires an expensive custom cable).

Size and weight are very close. Both have the power supply inside the device.

Re: Chromebox

#160

Post by suboptical »

krzyk wrote: post #77
taligent wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't possibly be serious. There's a tiny little thing called the operating system which makes significantly more of a difference to the overall experience, performance and value of a computer than a few GHz.

For me first thing to do when I would receive either Chromebox or Mac Mini, I would format the disk and install my Linux distribution of choice. So, also from my point of view the OS provided in the beginning is not interesting.

1. The Chromebox has 16gb of internal storage. I'm fairly certain it's using the same SSD model the Cr-48s and other Chromebooks used, which is not easily replaceable (difficult to find a fitting card)

2. Chrome laptops and (now) desktops use verified boot, you won't be able to install your own OS unless you literally crack open the case (there are physical implements to prevent firmware flashing) and flash your own BIOS.

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