HP Chromebox to Have Intel Celeron and Core i7 Options

Earlier this year we reported that Hewlett Packard was working on a Chromebox, a small boxy device that runs on Google's Chrome OS. The company didn't reveal anything specific in terms of hardware save for the processor: an Intel Celeron 2955U or i7-4600U "Haswell" CPU. Now the hardware details have finally emerged.

According to the list (PDF), the device can be configured with 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB of DDR3L memory. The Chromebox will also have 16 GB of internal storage and a 3-in-1 SD card reader for even more storage. On the connectivity front, the device will provide Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0.

As seen in the photo, there will be two USB 3.0 ports along with the power button on the front of the device. On the back, there will be two more USB 3.0 ports, HDMI output, DisplayPort output, the Ethernet port and a combo audio-out jack. The left side will play host to the card reader and a security lock slot.

The specs also show that the Chromebox will have four rubber footpads on the bottom, which cover up four VESA mounting holes (100 mm). The device will measure just 4.96 x 4.88 x 1.53 inches and weigh a mere 1.39 pounds, meaning more desktop space for the user. However, by using the VESA option, users can install it on the back of a monitor, removing it from the user's line of sight.

"It works with standard keyboards, mice and displays, and offers connectivity using HDMI, DisplayPort and Bluetooth, along with four USB 3.0 ports. Like other Chrome devices from HP, the Chromebox offers a fast, easy and safe computing experience for you and your family," said HP's Shelia Watson back in February.

The HP Chromebox is expected to launch in June.

  • mobrocket
    why would you need an I7 for this?
    Reply
  • vmem
    ^ that's my question too... I thought a celeron and an i3 would be appropriate. an i5 at most...

    also, 8GB of memory? a bit excessive too
    Reply
  • derekullo
    why would you need an I7 for this?

    Downloading 20 torrents at the same time takes alot of cpu power.
    Reply
  • Mac266
    Im thinking a Xeon would be better in this.
    Reply
  • Halfey Halphstein
    I use my Chromebook for watching movies too and found that the Haswell Celeron may or may not have enough power to process the fast pacing movements in HD movies. I would welcome an i5 for that. Another thing is 4GB of RAM is barely enough for my browsing habit. I often found many tabs being unloaded (due to insufficient memory) almost as soon after I leave them to visit other tabs, even if only for a while. Having bigger RAM could be helpful here.
    Reply
  • nazgron
    Wow i7 chromebox, Ima just haveta install an external GTX780 to play minecraft now?!
    Reply
  • Lollard101
    The i7-4600u isn't a real i7.. it has two cores and four threads, it's basically an i3. Marketing..
    Reply
  • Hanin33
    i have an "ultrabook" with the i7-4600U and as Lollard101 explained, it's just an i3/i5 with Hyperthreading. The clock speed is very low as well (2.1Ghz). sure, it does turbo clocking, but that only rarely works out like marketing would have you believe.
    Reply