Google has already suggested that Samsung would launch a low power desktop PC running Chrome OS in the not-too-distant future. But a company called Xi3 is going to try to beat Samsung to the punch with a low power desktop computer running the open source version of Chrome OS. The Xi3 ChromiumPC is due out on July 4th.
The ChromiumPC is a small form factor computer measuring about 3″ x 3.7″ x 3.7″. The system is modular, with three components:
- Processor Module with CPU and RAM
- Primary I/O module with communication ports
- Secondary I/O module with Ethernet, video, and power connections
The modular nature of the ChromiumPC should make it easy to upgrade the computer just by removing a side panel, sliding out an old module and sliding in a new one. This makes upgrading the processor or other components much simpler than on existing desktop computers — assuming Xi3 offers regular upgrades. There’s no guarantee that will happen.
The company also doesn’t make it clear exactly what components will ship with the ChromiumPC this summer. Xi3 says the computer will use less than 20W of power, but the closest the company gives to a description of the processor is that it will be a dual or single-core 64-bit x86 processor.
There’s also no word on the price yet.
They seem to already offer an x86 DIY kit with your choice of a 22W Atom (I’m guessing a D510) or a Athlon 3400E with 2GB of RAM and a 8GB SSD for around $850, but the chief draw seems to be to use it as a dumb terminal with the use of expander modules. If they can half that price and double the storage, it wouldn’t be a bad machine – 3″x3″x3.7″ is pretty tiny!