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Taiwanese PC maker Acer is, for the first time, bringing Google’s Chrome operating system to the desktop with a new device aimed at budget-conscious users and organizations.
Unveiled Thursday, Acer’s new Chromebox CXI houses the Chrome OS in a tidy, 0.6-liter frame that can stand upright on its own or hang on the back of your monitor. It’s powered by an Intel Celeron 2957U dual-core 1.4GHz processor, features a 16GB solid state drive, and promises to boot up in just 8 seconds.
“The Acer Chromebox CXI is an excellent fit for schools or businesses where conserving costs and space are high priorities,” Simon Hwang, president of Acer’s stationary computing and display business group, said in a statement(Opens in a new window). “Due to the ease of management, the Chromebox can significantly reduce the technical support and consequently lower the total cost of ownership.”
The Chromebox CXI offers wireless connectivity via 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and Gigabit Ethernet. It comes with up to 4GB of RAM and has four USB 3.0 ports, including two with power-off charging for smartphones and tablets. Other features include an SD card reader that supports up to 32GB cards, an HDMI port for connecting external displays, a combo audio jack for microphones and headsets, and LAN port for wired network connections.
The Chromebox CXI starts at just $179.99 for 2GB memory and $219.99 for 4GB memory, and will be available in the U.S. next month. The price also includes a keyboard, mouse, and mounting kit.
Asus also offers the Chromebox M004U; check out PCMag’s review.
Meanwhile, Acer also on Thursday introduced its new Chromebook 11, which has an 11.6-inch display, with a 1,366-by-768-pixel resolution and runs an Intel Celeron N2830 dual-core 2.16 GHz processor. Offering up to 8.5 hours of battery life, the new Chromebook 11 comes with either 16GB or 32GB SSD memory and will begin shipping later this quarter.
There’s two versions to choose from — a white model for consumers, which is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor at just 2.43 pounds or a gray version aimed businesses and schools that features a spill-proof keyboard for added durability. Acer did not reveal pricing for the new notebook.
For more, check out PCMag’s reviews of the HP Chromebook 11, as well as our roundup of The Best Chromebooks.
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