10 Chromebooks, Chromeboxes Adding to Rising Chrome OS Device Sales

By Don Reisinger

The Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the more eye-catching new Chromebooks on the market. The Flip is a convertible device that can switch between a tablet and a laptop, depending on desired use. The Chromebook Flip has a 10.1-inch HD display, weighs less than 2 pounds, and comes with 100GB of Google Drive online storage for free for two years. It also has 10 hours of battery life, which is nice. It costs $249.

The big draw for the $249 Chromebook 15 is its screen size. The device has a 15.6-inch HD display, making it one of the larger Chromebooks on the market. The device, which comes with a full-size keyboard, has up to nine hours of battery life and according to Acer, can boot “in seconds.” One other note: the standard Chromebook 15 screen is 720p HD. The device can be customized for a full-HD model.

Google’s Chromebook Pixel is the most advanced computer in this roundup, featuring an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and a 13-inch high-res display. Like Apple’s recently announced MacBook, the computer comes with USB Type-C ports to handle charging, data and displays all in one. It also has a full-metal enclosure. The Chromebook Pixel is designed for Chromebook heavyweights, so it starts at a costly $999.

Samsung has its own version, called the Chromebook 2. The computer has a somewhat older-looking design with a big bezel around the screen. However, at $250, it’s nicely affordable. The Chromebook 2 has an 11.6-inch HD display, weighs 2.6 pounds and comes with up to nine hours of battery life.

Dell’s Chromebook 11 is one of the more popular Chromebooks in this roundup, due in large part to its appeal to both the education and enterprise markets. The Chromebook 11 comes with a rugged design that allows it to be dropped or hit and keep on running. That extra durability pushes the price to $279 to start, but customers will still find the 11.6-inch HD display and 10 hours of battery life appealing.

The HP Chromebook 14 G3 is all about color and size. As the name might suggest, the computer comes with a 14-inch HD display and is available in a wide variety of colors. The Chromebook 14 G3 is also one of the thinnest computers in this roundup, coming in at just 0.7 inches thick. The device has up to eight hours of battery life and goes for $300 to start.

Looking for something besides a notebook? Check out the Dell Chromebox. Similar to Apple’s Mac Mini, the Chromebox requires customers to have their own keyboard, monitor and mouse in order to get the full computing experience. Because of that, there’s no want for ports in the device. The Chromebox has a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and DisplayPort for video, four USB 3.0 ports, and both Ethernet connectivity and built-in WiFi. That’s an awful lot for a device that costs just $179.

The Acer Chromebox CXI is another desktop that requires owners to bring along a keyboard, mouse and monitor. Like the Dell version, the device comes with an HDMI and DisplayPort for displays, and includes four USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet and WiFi. Acer’s Chromebox, however, comes with a different design that sits up on desks like a wireless router, rather than a boxy design like the Dell option. It’s an interesting device that goes for $180.

The Chrome market has an all-in-one option for those seeking such a thing. The LG Chromebase has a 21.5-inch full HD display and comes with a keyboard and mouse. The device’s biggest point of appeal is that it’s a desktop all-in-one, putting it in competition with devices like Apple’s iMac. However, the device comes with a relatively high price for a Chrome OS device, all of $350.

The Asus Chromebit is one of the most interesting devices in this roundup. The product, which will launch this summer for under $100, is essentially a dongle, running Chrome OS, that can be plugged into a monitor or television. Once the Chromebit is plugged into a “dumb” device, like a television, that product becomes smart enough to run Chrome OS.