Acer is expanding its line of Chromebox desktop computers with Google’s Chrome operating system. A few months ago the company started offering models with Intel Celeron processors for $180 and up. Now Acer is launching models with Intel Core i3 Haswell chips for $350 and up.

acer chromebox_01

The new Acer Chromebox CXI-i34KGM features an Intel Core i3-4030U dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage and sells for $350.

There’s also an Acer Chromebox XXI-i38KGM model with 8GB of RAM and a $400 price tag.

Both models feature 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports (including two that can charge a phone or tablet even when the Chromebox is turned off), a microSD card slot, and HDMI output with support for 4K displays.

Like most Chromeboxes, the the Acer CXI is a compact PC with a case that measures just 6.8″ x 5.5″ x 2.3″.

Acer isn’t the only company to offer a Chrome OS desktop with a Core i3 Haswell processor. Dell and Asus also have models with similar chips. But Acer is one of the first companies I’m aware of to offer a model with 8GB of RAM.

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11 replies on “Acer launches a Chromebox with Core i3 Haswell”

  1. Used to be great. But now that the HP Stream mini is out there and its upgradeable …. not so impressive.

    1. But never forget you have these chromebooks/chromeboxes to thank for all the cheaper windows machines.

      1. What cheaper windows machines? Tablets? I see a few DIY barebones units sans OS but not complete windows machines.

        1. Young CRV mentioned HP Stream Mini? And it’s also upgradeable.

          1. So far it’s 2 products from 1 company, I can thank Chromebook/box for windows 8.1 w/bing, 🙂 but cheap PCs have been around for a long time, especially in the form of DIY barebones like this one:

            https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173102

            Also I don’t quite understand why you guys consider the HP Stream Mini “upgradeable” but imply the Acer CXI is not? You can add/replace memory and storage on both of them. Since neither of them use a socketed CPU, upgrading that isn’t possible.

          2. Because the HP Mini Stream comes with Windows, you can’t buy a chromebox and get Windows 8.1 with Bing for free. You can buy a HP Mini Stream and install chromium OS. Also, HP Mini Stream has slot room and enough space for a 2.5 in HD even though you’d have to get a ZIF connector yourself, but at least doable.

          3. I understand the whole “Chromebook/box is not a PC” argument and agree with you. I just took exception to your comment of “you have these chromebooks/box to thank for all the cheaper windows machines” Just letting you know, cheaper windows machines have been around for a while before Chromebook/box They were called netbooks/box.

          4. Netbooks were not at all cheap…. They were well in the range of $300 ~ $500. Nor were the net-tops, and their performances were absolutely horrible.

            Sure they were (cheaper windows machines) cheaper than the mid-entry windows machines back in the days they were available, but they’re still pricey compared to chromebooks/chromeboxes.

            I understand there were barebones and boxes that you could more or less build to do the same but it wasn’t easy for the folks that just wants to buy a computer to use. Many less tech savvy users cannot buy parts and put them together for a machine especially for the price of $149 ~ $179. Sure you had the net-tops but if they were worth the money, they wouldn’t have died off. I remember being interested with the Acer Aspire Revo when it was announced but the lack of wifi and performance was a huge turn off, probably also why it never took off. I’m just saying, it’s not really until Chromebooks/chromeboxes that you’re getting all these sub $200 laptops/pc’s that people were willing to buy and look forward to the next iteration/model.

          5. Maybe we’re remembering things differently, but I remember netbooks in the $200-$300 range, with some outliers going all the way to $500. As for them being craptastic, yes, I agree with you, but I wouldn’t thank chromebooks/boxes for making the recent generations of cheaper windows machines better. I’d thank Intel/AMD for making better processors and the introduction and development of cheap SSDs. Actually, without the better processors and cheap SSDs, Chromebooks/boxes would just another footnote in computing history.

            I have a 2012 Acer Veriton (sister to the Revo line) and I love it. BTW, the Revo line still exists and they have gotten a lot better with big core celerons and core i3s, with msata and sata slots. And yes, they have wifi now. 🙂

          6. Well yeah of course I’d thank Intel/AMD for the new processors. But just because they made better cheaper processors doesn’t mean Windows machines would be cheaper. One of the reason why Windows licensing is so cheap now is because of Microsoft feeling the pressure from Chromebooks/Chromeboxes. And hence the birth of Windows 8.1 with Bing.

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