Chromebooks come in all shapes and sizes, but some of them aren’t laptops at all. There are a few desktop computers with Google ChromeOS, and Lenovo just introduced a new super-compact option: the Lenovo Chromebox Micro.
Lenovo just revealed the Chromebox Micro, which measures just 163 x 79 x 19.7 mm (6.4 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches), which is only slightly larger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max and other large smartphones. Lenovo describes it as, “an ultra-thin and affordable media player offering high performance, proven data security, and easier remote control and device management with ChromeOS.”
The main purpose for this computer is powering digital signage, admire billboards, menu screens in restaurants, and other similar devices. It has no fans, so it’s much harder for dust to get inside the computer—an important consideration for companies setting up the Chromebox Micro in critical functions. The processor is an Intel N4500, which is the same low-power CPU used in some budget Chromebooks. It’s enough to handle basic productivity tasks and web browsing, but not much beyond that.
The rest of the hardware includes two USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A connectors, one HDMI port, Ethernet, an audio jack, and a Kensington lock. That’s a lot of connectivity for such a small package. There’s also 8 GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC internal storage.
Lenovo said in its press release, “The first micro form factor Chromebox by Lenovo, the device is built for 24/7 digital display deployments in the challenging conditions of high-traffic facilities. The fanless, ventless, dust-proof ChromeOS compute solution supports dual displays at 4K resolutions. And it is built compact enough to fit into tight environments, in fact it is smaller than most smart phones.”
Lenovo is also partnering with Instorescreen to sell 15.6 and 21.5-inch displays that can fit the Chromebox Micro behind the main panel. Those probably will only be available to businsess, though. If you really need an all-in-one desktop that runs ChromeOS, the HP Chromebase is an option.
The Lenovo Chromebox Micro will be “available in select markets worldwide from the first quarter of 2024.” The pricing will start at $219, but it’s not clear if the computer will be available to regular buyers—the announcement was focused almost exclusively on businesses for use in digital signage. If it remains exclusive to businesses, there’s always the ASUS Chromebox 5 or one of CTL’s Chromeboxes.
Source: Lenovo via Liliputing
