While most people associate ChromeOS with Chromebooks, this operating system isn’t exclusively for mobile use. Both Chromeboxes and ChromeOS desktops are available and provide an ideal means to use the features and advantages of the Chromebook environment while utilizing proper keyboards and larger displays.
Whereas the best Chromebooks are quite plentiful and varied, Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops aren’t as prolific, with most brands only offering a limited selection. While there are fewer models to choose from compared to laptops, options are provided for the processing platform. Most ranges start with Celeron and Pentium-powered machines that are highly affordable, with Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 available for those who want extra power. A few brands also offer AMD Ryzen processor designs. Here are some of the best Chomeboxes and Chrome desktops to look out for.
Top Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops
HP Chromebase 21.5
Everything you need in one package
Looking to get an all-in-one powered by ChromeOS? HP’s Chromebase brings everything you need, including a 21.5-inch FHD touch display, speakers, and up to an Intel Core i3 processor. More commonly, you’ll find a model with a Pentium Gold 6405U CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.
- Up to a Core i3-10110U CPU
- Rotating 21.5-inch FHD touch display
- Beautiful design, decent port selection
- Models with Pentium CPU and 4GB RAM are underpowered
- No front ports for easier access
Thanks to its all-in-one design, HP’s Chromebase 21.5 sets itself apart from the other options in this list. Instead of just a small box with performance hardware inside, the Chromebase has a full setup with a display, speakers, camera, and more. It’s essentially the best of two ChromeOS worlds. You get a large screen that can rotate, excellent speakers, and even a wireless keyboard and mouse thrown in for good measure. Plus, there’s the touch interaction and sleek ChromeOS interface that you can get from a Chromebook.
The 21.5-inch display has a 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution and can rotate around for vertical or horizontal orientations. You can even attach other displays to the Chromebase if you need a larger setup. The display sits on a sturdy conical stand that houses the device’s performance hardware as well as some 5W stereo speakers. It’s all wrapped in a fabric that allows sound through while giving the Chromebase a bit of personality. A row of ports along the back of the stand includes two USB-A, two USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You can always add one of the best Chromebook docks if you need more ports. There’s also a power cord that slips into a channel under the bottom of the base for a cleaner look.
Inside, the Chromebase 21.5 is available with up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10110U processor (CPU), up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and up to a 256GB M.2 PCIe solid-state drive (SSD). We tested a model with this configuration in our HP Chromebase 21.5 review and came away with a smooth Chrome OS experience that could handle light gaming, productivity work, streaming, and more.
HP Chromebase 21.5 review: More of this, please
How did it take this long for us to get touchscreen Chrome OS desktops?
HP does offer lesser configs with a Pentium CPU and as low as 4GB of RAM. This setup seems to be much more common than the Intel Core CPU with 8GB of RAM these days, but you can still find the more powerful hardware at some retailers. Stick with the Intel Core chip to keep from experiencing issues with multitasking.
Asus Chromebox 5
Starting at a reasonable price
The Asus Chromebox 5, released 2023, is a massive upgrade with built-in Qi wireless charging, refreshed port selection and layout, tons of performance (including 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs and M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD), and Wi-Fi 6E. Celeron models are very affordable, with Core models climbing in price rather quickly.
- Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU
- Up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Lots of modern ports, including Thunderbolt 4
- Prices climb quickly
The Asus Chromebox 5 offers a wide range of performance hardware and plenty of ports in a sleek case. You can configure it with up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, though there are also 12th Gen Intel Core i5, Core i3, and Celeron 7305 options if you want to pay less and don’t need as much speed.
We still recommend using a Core CPU and at least 8GB of RAM for a better experience, especially if you plan on multitasking or gaming with your Chromebox. Asus offers up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and up to a 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD, now upgraded to PCIe 4.0 for improved speeds. Like its predecessor, the Asus Chromebox 4 which we reviewed favorably, the Chromebox 5 can either be placed on a desk or mounted with an optional VESA kit.
The front of the Chromebox includes two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The back of the box has another two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), Thunderbolt 4, two HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, and DisplayPort 1.4. The side of the box includes a Kensington lock slot. The Asus Chromebox 5 starts at less than $300 for the Pentium models, and even the more powerful models with a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of M.2 storage sit at around $650.
Acer Chromebox CXI5
Fast, hardworking design with many ports
The refreshed Acer Chromebox CXI5 brings updated 12th Gen Intel Core chips (up to a Core i7-1270P) as well as up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB SSD. Its new design is more modern and professional, with mounting and stand options if you’d like to keep the box off of your desk.
- Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1270P CPU with 16GB of RAM
- Can be VESA mounted or stood vertically
- Lots of ports and Wi-Fi 6E
- No Thunderbolt
- Pricier than some other options
The Chromebox CXI5 from Acer was refreshed for 2023, coming at you with a new, more professional design that can still sit horizontally, stand vertically with the included stand, or be mounted with VESA hardware. The CXI5 has a silver-gray finish with air vents on the front and sides; no more plastic caps on the ends like the CXI4.
Acer made sure to include lots of ports, with dual HDMI 2.1, four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports, two USB4 Type-C ports (though no full Thunderbolt), RJ45 Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. You can even find some models with an extra HDMI or DisplayPort connection if required. And those comfortable getting inside the Chromebox will find two M.2 slots — one for an SSD and one for a WLAN card — for upgrades.
Base models with an Intel Celeron 7305 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage currently start at about $385. This model will likely struggle to keep up with heavy multitasking or even light gaming, but Acer has you covered. There are also models with 12th Gen Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 P-series chips with way more power, and they can be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. These high-end models hit $900 rather quickly.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M60q Chromebox
Lenovo’s Chromebox for Enterprise
Lenovo’s fresh ThinkCentre M60q Chromebox was designed for enterprise use, but can function as a ChromeOS base for just about anyone. It’s available with many different configuration options, including Intel 12th Gen Core CPUs and up to a 256GB SSD.
- Secure and durable
- Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU
- Lots of ports and two M.2 slots
- Comes with keyboard and mouse
- No Core i7 option
- Prices climb quickly
Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M60q Chromebox is designed for enterprise use, but it should suit just about anyone. It’s secure, it’s durable, and it’s versatile, with stand and mounting options should you want to get it out of the way. It even comes with a keyboard and mouse to help you get off to a quick start. The front of the Chromebox offers dual USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), 3.5mm audio, and USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) ports, while the back has another eight ports. These include RJ45 Ethernet, four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1), HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4. A Kensington lock slot is available for office use.
The most affordable models come with an Intel Celeron 7305 CPU with five cores, but you can also upgrade to a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 U-series chip with much more power. The CPUs are joined by up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and up to a 256GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Inside, you’ll find two M.2 slots that can be used to upgrade the SSD or Wi-Fi card.
Prices climb quickly, and you likely won’t want to pay for the extra Enterprise-level security and durability if you’re looking for a Chromebox to use at home. Nevertheless, as prices come down and Lenovo starts offering big discounts, this can absolutely work as a Chromebox for just about anyone.
HP Chromebox G4
The latest from HP
HP’s refreshed Chromebox G4 is now available with 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs for excellent performance. The rounded-edge design stayed the same, and you still get a solid selection of ports. Try to get it on sale or wait for more configs to hit the market to get the perfect device.
- Strong 13th Gen Intel Core CPU performance
- 8GB of dual-channel RAM
- Decent selection of ports
- Stock is limited
- Starts at a high price due to config limitations
- Uses eMMC storage
The refreshed HP Chromebox G4 has the same satisfying rounded-edge design and compact case that won’t take up much room on your desk. The front of the Chromebox G4 has two USB-A 3.0 ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The back includes USB-C, two HDMI 2.0, two more USB-A 3.0, and RJ45 Ethernet. It’s a fairly straightforward setup that should offer you the right connectivity to attach all accessories and displays.
Despite the G4 model’s recent launch, stock availability seems to be an issue. HP’s official site only has one pre-configured model for sale, and major third-party retailers seem to have ignored it. The model available at HP has a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1345U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. Considering HP is asking $639 for this model, we suggest waiting for a sale or for more config options to arrive.
Asus Fanless Chromebox
Run your storefront or kiosk
Looking for a Chromebox that can run your storefront or kiosk? The Asus Fanless option has the right serial ports and doesn’t need any airflow, allowing you to tuck it away under a counter.
- Can be VESA mounted, includes lock slot
- Extra ports for enterprise use
- Strong Intel Core performance
- Intel Core models are harder to find
- Not ideal for casual users
The Asus Fanless Chromebox is best used for commercial or enterprise uses, for which you need a reliable computer to run a setup. Asus lists applications like retail POS and digital signage in stores or kiosks, and this hardware even has the Legacy RS-232 (RJ50) serial port required for some barcode scanners and printers. What advantages are there to being fanless? Without the need for constant airflow, you can tuck it away in a cabinet or under a display case to keep it out of sight. It even comes with a VESA mount to really get it out of the way, and a lock slot keeps it in place.
The Fanless Chromebox also has two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front. The back has three more USB-A 3.2 ports, two HDMI 2.0, USB-C 3.2 (Gen 1), RJ45 Ethernet, and an extended power switch for operating other connected devices. A model with an Intel Celeron 5205U CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage starts at about $338.
CTL Chromebox CBx3
Refreshed for 2023
CTL’s new Chromebox CBx3 and CBx3-7 offer a wide range of performance hardware, with up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD. It has lots of ports in a compact and durable design.
- Up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U CPU
- 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD
- Compact design
- Fairly expensive
CTL has released its new Chromebox CBx3 with an Intel Celeron 7305 CPU and CBx3-7 with an Intel Core i7 CPU. Focusing on the latter option, it comes with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1335U CPU with 10 cores and super performance, matched up with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage. Prices start at about $800 for the CBx3-7, but it should offer enough power and features to justify the price.
The design hasn’t significantly changed for this new generation, and you’re still getting a bead-blasted matte finish for the plastic body. A lock slot on the side adds some extra peace of mind if you’re working in a busy office. The front of the CBx3 offers two USB-A 3.2 ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. These are joined by USB-C, two HDMI, two USB-A 3.2, and an RJ45 Ethernet port on the back.
This new CBx3-7 model remains a great choice if you’re looking for a Chromebox that can really perform. If you want to spend less, check out the CBx3 with Intel Celeron 7305 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD for about $338.
Tips while shopping for your next Chromebox
The Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops included above represent the best you can buy today. However, Many of them can be customized with different processing hardware, memory and storage levels. Tempting customers into over- or under-buying for their needs. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind when choosing your Chromebox or Chrome desktop:
- Intel’s Core processors will deliver the best performance, and you can generally choose between Core i3, i5, and i7 (with ascending performance levels). Intel Celeron and Pentium processors are also common here, but they’re best reserved for light use and focused tasks.
- 4GB of RAM is less than ideal performance-wise, and you could end up with a device that can’t keep up with your workflow. Stick with 4GB only if you’re using it lightly or find a mega deal. Systems with 8GB of RAM will perform much better, and those with 16GB or 32GB even better. More RAM will also keep you going long into the future.
- Chromeboxes and desktops have Auto Expiration Updates (AUE) just like their Chromebook counterparts. Upon hitting this date, Google no longer guarantees updates.
- Your user experience might hinge heavily on what accessories come bundled. Some Chromeboxes and Chrome desktops come with a keyboard and mouse, but we still recommend checking out the best keyboards for Chromebooks and the best mice for Chromebooks. You’ll be much happier with accessories that are perfectly suited to your preferences.
Google recently announced an increase in ChromeOS hardware support, with Chromebooks and Chromeboxes released after 2019 now receiving a full 10 years of support. That means that the irregular release cycle of Chromeboxes and ChromeOS all-in-ones no longer has such a big impact on your purchase. You can buy even one of the older options in this list and still expect years of updates.
Getting the best Chromebox or Chrome desktop for you
Many of the best Chromebox designs share similar compact form factors and performance levels. Then, you also have Chrome desktops and all-in-ones like the HP Chromebase, which can take on the role of the family computer thanks to its built-in 21.5-inch FHD touch display, zippy performance, 5W stereo speakers, and competitive price.
In our HP Chromebase 21.5 review, it’s noted that it “lets you have the best of both Chrome OS worlds: the much larger screen and beefier speakers of a desktop with the touch interaction and easy-to-use interface of a Chromebook.” It’s good enough to earn our Editor’s Choice badge and should be a perfect pick if you’d like to buy all you need in one go. HP even tosses in a pretty solid wireless keyboard and mouse to get you going.
If you’re looking for a more traditional Chromebox and don’t want to overspend, the Asus Chromebox 5 is a solid choice, with prices starting at about $300 for an Intel Pentium model. Also, be sure to look at the best accessories for Chromebooks, which translate well to Chromeboxes and will help you get off to a good start with your new computer.
HP Chromebase 21.5
Everything you need
The HP Chromebase 21.5 is our top pick, thanks to its exceptionally reasonable price. You get a full computer here with built-in FHD display, speakers, along with a keyboard and mouse.
