The Samsung Chromebox line of mini-desktop computers feature Intel processors, small but speedy solid state disks, and Google’s Chrome operating system. Last year Samsung started selling a model with an Intel Celeron B840 processor, but now there’s a new kid on the block, and it features a faster Core i5 chip.
The new Samsung Chromebook XE300M22-A01US isn’t exactly a speed demon. It has a Core i5-2450M processor, which is a second-generation Intel Core CPU with HD Graphics 3000. In other word’s, it’s at least a generation behind Intel’s latest chips.
But it also happens to be the same chip used in the demo Chromebox units Google gave to developers at last year’s Google I/O conference.
The processor should be zippy enough to handle most basic computing tasks, including HD video playback. And that’s all you really need on a computer that’s designed to run web apps in a web browser rather than local, resource-intensive apps such as Office, Photoshop, or iTunes.
Like earlier Chromebox models, the new version features 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 6 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet. There’s no VGA port, but there are DisplayPort and DVI jacks.
The best price I’ve found for the new model so far is at CompSource, which is charging $397. Amazon appears to be selling the same Chromebox for $423.
Samsung also recently started showing off a new Chromebox case design, while the Samsung Chromebox with a Celeron processor and a more business-like black and gray case seems to be out of stock at most stores.
That suggests the company could position the model with the shiny white case as an entry-level system with a Celeron processor while selling the more business-like black and gray model with a faster Core i5 chip for a higher price.
thanks Roger H!
Are these actually available anywhere with the i5? Both Google and Samsung show the new, white case, and list the old Celeron processor. It sure doesn’t seem like it was officially spec bumped, if the new white model is back to Celeron… Could the i5 just be unofficial dev hardware rather than an actual SKU?
Come on Samsung, give us a Chromebox with a Quad Core ARM Cortex A15
Make it a 3rd Gen with the HD4000 GPU and USB3, and I’d be dual booting ChromeOS and Kubuntu on it in an evening. Bring it on, I double dare you!
I thought I remembered these, so I did a Google search, and I can find articles about these going back to August. Why is this coming up again now? Does anyone know?
It’s an upgrade… did you not read the article…
Can it run Ubuntu!? I really need small Ubuntu box for my living room to watch HD movies and browse the web (and some other minor PC tasks) (no fan)
Probably, most Chrome devices have developers mode that allows running another OS and there’s nothing in the hardware spec that Ubuntu wouldn’t support…
Personally, I would like to know if they can accept more RAM.
Why doesn’t Samsung release a version with Windows 8? Someone pointed out yesterday that buying All-in-One PCs is a waste because the screen outlives the usefulness of the guts. That being the case, we should be moving to small and cheap boxes connected to touchscreen monitors. Someone is missing an opportunity here.
We would love to buy this chromebox if it support the Windows 8 and also support the Linux OS. People would love to buy this more if it support the Windows OS but than they need to change the product as it’s only created for Chrome OS.
A Core i5 for Google Docs and a browser, seems overkill.
If Google Docs and basic browsing was all anyone did with a Chrome OS devices then that may seem so but Chrome OS is used for more and that’s why it doesn’t always perform well with limited hardware.
After all, only so much can be offset to the cloud and that makes native performance still important even for Chrome OS. While features like hardware acceleration isn’t always taken advantage of and that leaves the bulk of performance requirements to fall on the CPU.
Especially, as Google pushes for more desktop features, more use of higher performance native apps, and usages like gaming.
Besides, so long as the developers mode is allowed anyone can just run any OS they wish and can appeal to those who don’t want to pay for a OS with every system they purchase…
These have been floating around the online auctions for a while. Had they upgraded the motherboard to USB3 I might have been interested.