Asus Chromebox 2
US 1+
Pros
- It is lightweight and small in size.
- It is highly portable.
- There are good connectivity features present in it.
- There are enough ports for one’s use.
- Two displays can be used at the same time with it, which is an advantage.
Cons
- The device is not capable of doing most tasks a PC can usually do.
- The performance provided is not satisfactory enough.
- It supports Google Chrome OS which is mainly android based and can be a problem for many buyers.
- It needs to be connected to the internet for one to do any significant work on it.
- There is a need to buy a separate monitor, speaker, etc.
The Asus Chromebox 2 has been created so that one can get a computer available with him wherever he/she goes, provided they get access to a screen and other necessary equipment. Check out Asus Chromebox 2 review and best price.
The Intel Celeron 3215U processor present is only good for the simplest work, and the Chrome OS requires you to be connected to an internet connection to do most of the usual work.
There is 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of SSD storage available that is enough to carry data and allow a faster boot speed, but you cannot use it for storing huge amounts of movies or photos. Check out best desktops according to requirements.
Asus Chromebox 2 & Variants Price
Asus Chromebox 2 Review by Expert
Buy For: The compact size and easy portability.
Beware Of: Its limited performance and inability to do most tasks a full-fledged computer can.
Verdict
The Asus Chromebox 2 is not for all. It specifically targets those users who need to travel with data and a computer that does not take up space as a laptop does. It is not meant for delivering a significant range of performance and misses certain characteristics that provide better convenience, but so far one is concerned with simple computing it is worth buying. It is a small and versatile piece of technology that promises you portability and limited usage without taking a toll on your pocket. The students also can use this device.
Design and Build
As the name suggests, the device is in a square box shape, and all the components are consolidated inside it.
It simply bridges the gap between a laptop and a usual PC. The power button can be seen at the curve at the front.
There are ports on different sides, and so you get easy access. With its VESA mount support, it can be mounted on a wall or a stand as per the user’s convenience.
The build material is usual and the device has a matte finish.
Performance
The variant of the Chromebook 2 being reviewed has an Intel Celeron 3215U processor. It maxes out at 1.7 GHz and there is no boosting available to increase the clock rate.
Now for those who are not very accustomed to it, it is slightly weaker than a base level i3, and so the device will be fine with the basic work, but try anything above that and you will be gifted with a whole bunch of lags.
There is next to none scope of multi-tasking. The integrated Intel Graphics is present to only render the essential and basic graphics.
Storage and RAM
The storage present in the product is 16 GB in the form of a Solid State Drive.
It is not much and thus you will be able to store only the essential files in the space left after storing the system files.
The RAM is of 2 GB with a speed of 1600 MHz which is also little and obviously, there is no dedicated graphics storage.
Ports and Connectivity
The product has 2 USB 3.0 ports at the front and further 2 at the back as well.
There is an HDMI port, a Display out port, a port for connecting the power cable and an Ethernet port.
Other connectivity options include dual-band standard Wifi and Bluetooth that allow connections to the product very handy.
Additional Features
The product comes with a keyboard and a mouse in the packaging.
The buyer also gets a warranty of 1 year on it. Check out Best Desktop Computers for Students.
Specs:
- Brand: Asus
- Storage: 16 GB of SSD
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage Type: M.2
- RAM Type: DDR3
- Processor: Intel Celeron 3215U
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
- Processor Speed: 1.7 GHz
- Processor Brand: Intel
- Product Dimensions: 4.9 * 1.6 * 4.9 inches
- Operating System: Google Chrome OS
What Do Users Think about Asus Chromebox 2?
Many users seem to be satisfied with the product. They are fond of the lightweight design and the product’s small size, along with the noiseless operation.
The majority of the users have not tried heavy tasks on it, and the ones who have tried doing multi-tasking of the base type are disappointed.
It has proved to be useful for those who have to travel, but for those who don’t, it is not that much popular. Check out Asus Chromebox Manual.
A section of the users would have rather bought a low-end PC rather than buying this. Some more storage and better performance were expected.
Other Expert Views
The experts at tom’s Guide have said that the Asus Chromebox 2 would be ideal for those who are interested in surfing the web and using the various apps and extensions. They like the experimental small size but have not liked the fact that it is highly dependent upon an internet connection and the Chrome OS puts an excess of restrictions on a user. They favor the Windows OS more and have suggested the Azulle Access Plus and the Stick PC as better alternatives.
The experts of topnewreview think that the device is good enough to run web-based tools and apps and it offers decent features at a much cheaper price, along with taking up less space than a typical PC. They hold good views about the 4 GB RAM variant but suggest the Acer Chromebox CXI 2 to be considered as another option.
The experts at gadgets.ndtv after reviewing the product have concluded that if one buys the lower variants, then it is a good purchase. But the high-end variants are not worth the money, and it is better to buy a laptop or PC with better features and allows the users to do more work at a lower price.
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