The Asus Chromebox is a small desktop computer that runs Google’s Chrome OS software. Asus launched the first model in 2014 and eventually expanded the lineup to include versions with Celeron, Core i3, and Core i7 processors based on Intel’s 4th-gen Core “Haswell” architecture.

Now there’s a new model with a 5th-gen “Broadwell” chip with improved graphics performance. The new model also supports faster WiFi networks.

You can pick up the new Asus Chromebox from Amazon for $199.

asus cn62

The new Asus Chromebox is the same size and shape as the original, measuring 4.9″ x 4.9″ x 1.7″. Like the older models, it has four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio jacks.

But the new model has a Celeron 3205U processor with Intel HD 5500 graphics and support for 802.11ac WiFi.

The first Broadwell-based model to launch has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It’s not clear at this point whether Asus has plans to offer additional models with more memory or storage or higher-performance Broadwell chips.

It’s a little odd to see a Broadwell-based computer launch in late 2015, now that 6th-gen Intel Core “Skylake” chips are available. While Skylake architecture doesn’t offer a significant CPU performance boost over Broadwell, it does offer improved graphics and reduced power consumption. Still, if you’re in the market for an entry-level Chromebox, the new model is a bit of a step up from last year’s version.

via +Brent Sullivan

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5 replies on “Asus Chromebox with Broadwell CPU now available for $199”

  1. Can *someone* explain to me what a celeron is please?!?! I’m pretty sure every other time I check they swap between being Atoms with a higher TDP, or a stripped-bare i3… Same question for pentiums. *confused*

    1. The “Core” series of cpus (i.e. i3, i5, i7) will have a celeron version. This chip will be identical in architecture to the higher-end cpus, but will be limited in clock speed and GPU. These perform very well, but consume more power. There is also the “Atom” series of cpus, and they will have a celeron version too. It is identical in architecture to the other entry-level cpus. It has almost nothing in common with the “Core” celeron version. They are usually 50% smaller in die area and much cheaper for Intel to manufacture. Avoid them like the plague.

      1. The Core celerons will have 1/3 less cache and hyperthreading disabled. For web browsing (lots of tabs) I don’t think anyone could see a difference between celeron and i3. I don’t. That makes them a good value for a Chromeos device.

    2. Put simply, Celerons and Pentiums are Intel’s budget/value range… They either offer a Core based product that’s lower clocked, lower GPU, and with some features disabled to justify a lower price range… or a ATOM…

      While the ATOM based Celeron/Pentiums are already cheap but higher TDP than the mobile version that gives them a tiny bit more oomph but still cheap and ideal for the product range.

      Pentiums are just usually a bit higher in the performance/quality range meant more for business class devices but otherwise remain in the budget/value category…

      There’s about a 50% CPU performance efficiency difference between a Core based and ATOM based Celeron… So between a dual core Core based Celeron and dual Core ATOM based Celeron then the Celeron will pull ahead even with a lower clock than the ATOM… However, if it’s between a quad core ATOM and a dual core Core based Celeron then the quad core can pull ahead, at least with tasks that benefit from multi-core processing… and thanks to the slight crippling that not having Hyper Threading enabled for the dual core but the present ATOMs don’t support that either, it’s just you usually won’t find a Core based Celeron that’s more than dual core…

      ATOM based Celerons are also less likely to have features disabled, like they were the first to offer Quick Sync in the Celeron Range, though now you can find some Core based Celerons with that enabled too now.

      Alternative is the Core M series that tries to balance low TDP with a Core based product but it still costs more than the ATOM solutions and still uses more power and generates more heat… So you’re not going to see a 8″ Core M tablet but just about anything larger is a viable alternative if you want something that can still provide good battery life and better than ATOM performance but don’t need Core series level performance…

      Mind, there is the caveat that presently the ATOMs are evolving at a faster rate… Each update is improving performance more than we’re seeing from the Core series. So in another generation or two the ATOM may be good enough to eliminate the need for a Core M solution but the Core series should remain the high performance choice for many years to come…

  2. Skylake Celeron’s won’t be out until Q1 2016 so probably GA around March. The broadwell celeron is the latest greatest celeron anyone can get and is a great price/performance chip for certain situations and so it makes for a great option.

    I for one am happy to see yet another Broadwell celeron option from which to choose.

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