Following within the footsteps of the previous Chromebit gadgets, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro was introduced on Monday. The downsized Chromebox Micro is primarily meant for digital signage however it’s a full ChromeOS machine in its personal proper. Lenovo launched the Chromebox Micro on the Digital Signage Expertise (DSE) present in Las Vegas.
Whereas client and enterprise Chromebooks have ranged in efficiency as much as highly effective computer systems, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro is a bit more humble.
Powered by an Intel Celeron N4500, this small laptop is paired with 8 GB of reminiscence and 32 GB of native eMMC storage. Further storage capability is out there by means of a micro SD card slot. The Chromebox Micro additionally features a pair of each USB Kind-C and USB Kind-A ports, full HDMI, Ethernet, and an audio jack. This Chromebox can drive as much as a pair of 4K shows
Okay, that sounds just like the specs for an entry-level Chromebook, proper? And they’re. Bear in mind although that the Lenovo Chromebox Micro is purpose-built for digital signage powered by ChromeOS.
You don’t want tons of processing energy, for instance, to indicate digital shows. And also you don’t must pay that a lot for the capabilities both: Lenovo expects the fanless Chromebox Micro to value $219.
Simply from the information itself, I’m intrigued by the Lenovo Chromebox Micro. Primarily due to the scale, which is 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches (163 x 79 x 19.7 mm). Give it some thought: That’s round half the scale and quantity of a conventional Chromebook.
As a brand new ChromeOS kind issue, I discover it attention-grabbing. Certainly, I’m very into mini PCs myself, having purchased two in 2023.
One is used as a desktop with a 34-inch ultrawide monitor whereas the opposite runs as a networked house server. The optimistic expertise with these confirmed me how good a $299 Chromebox could possibly be with the correct internals.
The Lenovo Chromebox Micro doesn’t have these internals however it does value much less. And to be honest, it’s not meant as a client machine.
That doesn’t make me cease wanting it to be one, significantly if it ever bought a lift within the CPU. I don’t thoughts including my very own keyboard and monitor to a virtually invisible laptop. In my use case, it really is as a result of I’ve the mini PC behind the large monitor. After all, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro may be out of sight as properly by attaching it behind a display with the mounted screw holes.
Lenovo is definitely utilizing that mounting resolution to its benefit with a pair of screens from Instorescreen made particularly to deal with the Chromebox Micro. I believe most of those small Chromeboxes might be hooked up to bigger shows however I just like the intelligent holding space of those screens.
There’s little probability you or I will buy a Lenovo Chromebox Micro, though it could be potential sooner or later. What do you consider this ChromeOS machine and, extra importantly, the shape issue and potential capabilities?
