The Lenovo Chromebox Micro is a significant evolution for the Chromebox platform. Whereas designed as an enterprise answer for digital signage and kiosks, it has us excited to see different small kind issue Chrome OS units prefer it sooner or later. Even now, tinkerers, DIYers, and even on a regular basis customers can benefit from the light-weight design and plug in and go attraction, however ensure your supposed use instances are appropriate with a weaker SoC and some different minor points like restricted cupboard space.
The Chromebox has by no means been a very common department of the Chromebook household, however that doesn’t imply it isn’t worthy of consideration. Chrome OS is ideal for individuals who are searching for a web-first expertise. It’s additionally an inexpensive solution to change an growing older desktop PC. Whereas most Chromebox units have an identical footprint, the Lenovo Chromebook Micro takes a a lot completely different method. The tip result’s the best Chromebox I’ve had the pleasure of utilizing, although it completely isn’t supposed to be purchased by somebody like me. Let me clarify!
What’s the Lenovo Chromebox Micro?
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The Lenovo Chromebox Micro isn’t only a typical Chromebox; it’s marketed particularly on the signage business. Due to its fanless design, it’s ultra-quiet, has an precise ethernet port for extra steady connections, two USB A ports, two USB C ports (one for energy), and a headphone jack, and even helps three 4K screens. Nonetheless, you’ll want to make use of the USB-C ports, as there’s only one HDMI port.
The Chromebox Micro is completely suited to kiosks and digital shows, however that doesn’t imply it’s solely out there for enterprise buyers. Anybody can choose up a Chromebox Micro, however whereas you will need to notice there are some limitations holding it again from really shining for on a regular basis customers, I really imagine that the Micro is an enormous step ahead for the Chromebox class and may very well be an ideal low cost improve for these with growing older desktops who’re simply searching for a machine able to offering a very good internet expertise.
There are numerous distinctive options right here that assist it stand out from older stick PCs. The one catch is that Lenovo doesn’t appear curious about going after this section, at the least not in a significant manner and so this primary outing isn’t with out its flaws.
Lenovo Chromebox {hardware} and efficiency
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The Lenovo Chromebox Micro is the smallest Chromebox thus far, although technically, the briefly-lived Chromebit was even smaller when it arrived again in 2015. The brand new Chromebox Micro takes every thing nice a couple of typical Chromebox and shrinks it right into a package deal that’s concerning the dimension of a median smartphone and as thick as a typical battery financial institution. Talking of battery banks, you’ll be able to optionally run this factor off an influence financial institution! This makes the Chromebox Micro a tool you’ll be able to throw in a bag and take nearly anyplace you’ll encounter a show, together with areas like resort rooms. At $250, it’s additionally cheaper than most different Chromeboxes, which generally begin across the $400 mark and go up from there.
I’ve been utilizing the Chromebox Micro as my fundamental machine for work and basic use for almost two weeks now, solely choosing my extra highly effective laptop computer for gaming periods. Throughout that point I had a principally respectable expertise utilizing this as an on a regular basis computing system, so long as I saved my expectations in examine.
Beginning with the optimistic, it helps my 32-inch 2K Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor completely. I watched a number of streaming reveals and some on-line movies and it rendered them in 2K with none notable hiccups. As a media viewing system, the Chromebox Micro is greater than up for the job. Good luck storing a lot regionally, although. Whereas cupboard space isn’t as essential for Chrome OS, 32GB of EMC reminiscence is somewhat on the sunshine facet when a lot of right this moment’s Chromebooks embrace at the least 128GB of flash storage.
The Chromebox Micro is held again by its lower than spectacular Intel Celeron N4500 SoC, although it is greater than succesful for sure use instances.
I can stay with the storage limitations, however the true draw back is the Intel Celeron N4500 processor inside. The Chromebox Micro opts for a weaker, older chip, probably as a cost-saving measure. It’s additionally inside a fanless case, which limits the chip’s potential resulting from warmth dissipation issues. Contemplating the Micro’s purpose is to offer a machine that’s nice for dealing with digital signage, this is smart, however it does restrict the shape issue ought to Lenovo or one other model need to attempt to market a Chromebox of this dimension to a wider viewers.
As I discovered in my very own use, the Celeron N4500 is greater than able to powering up the media that will be required for the digital indicators it has been designed for, however it could actually additionally handle basic audio and video. Nonetheless, it’s clearly a machine meant for single-purpose duties, because it struggles a bit with basic efficiency.
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority
The Chrome OS UI may very well be a bit sluggish now and again, even when not below a heavy load. For instance, the opening animation could be noticeably sluggish when clicking on the app drawer and apps like Google Play would take a couple of seconds to load. The expertise positively felt extra like an ultra-budget Chromebook from a couple of years in the past than the extra flawless performers Chromebooks have advanced into lately.
The excellent news is as soon as every thing loaded there have been a couple of points. Chrome ran fantastic, although it struggled with dealing with greater than a handful or two value of tabs. I used to be in a position to carry out all my common work duties with no main points, together with gentle picture enhancing utilizing Adobe Specific.
My Google Play expertise was pretty combined. Video games like Name of Responsibility flat-out refused to load, although Minecraft and Solo Leveling: Come up ran principally fantastic, with only a few main body drops right here and there. The extra informal the sport, the extra probably it was to play good, because the GPU onboard isn’t precisely a excessive performer both. I also needs to notice that I did fiddle with Xbox Sport Move and located that this expertise additionally labored completely on the Micro, making it a pleasant little recreation streaming field. I’m certain it might deal with a number of the much less demanding emulators, too.
So, who’s the Chromebox Micro for?
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority
Do I like to recommend shopping for the Lenovo Chromebox Micro? It is dependent upon what you’re searching for. In its supposed use as a media participant for digital shows and kiosks, the Chromebox Micro is an inexpensive and versatile answer that’s simple to suggest. For on a regular basis customers, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro is a tougher promote.
Whereas it’s greater than able to being a desktop alternative for comparatively informal customers, there are higher choices amongst units focused to a extra basic purchaser. Most Chromebox and Chromebook rivals will sometimes price extra, however not essentially by a large margin. For instance, the ASUS Chromebox 5 ($294 at Amazon) retails for round $300 however could be discovered on sale usually for a bit much less. This machine has a barely higher processor than the Micro, although it has solely 4GB of RAM as a substitute of 8GB. An alternate for these wanting extra energy could be the HP Chromebox G3 ($548.98 at Amazon), which has 8GB of RAM identical to the Micro, and but it additionally has a a lot better Intel i5 chipset. Nonetheless, it’s additionally a couple of hundred {dollars} greater than the Chromebook Micro.
The Chromebox Micro has so much to supply hobbyists and DIYers, even when it was meant for the enterprise market.
Even when your finances is extraordinarily tight, you’ll discover a couple of different picks. I searched on Amazon and Walmart and located various older Chromebooks throughout the similar worth vary, and with the very same chip as well. To not point out you’ll get a display, keyboard, and trackpad as properly.
Now, that’s to not say there isn’t an viewers exterior of the signage marketplace for the Micro. The Lenovo Chromebook Micro has so much to supply hobbyists and DIYers. It’s comparatively inexpensive, has loads of ports, and nice show assist, and as I discussed earlier than you’ll be able to energy it utilizing a third-party energy financial institution. I powered it up in my van and used it with our leisure participant and a 50,000mAh battery for somewhat over two hours simply to check it out, and I had no issues in any respect.
Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority
The underside line is that the Chromebox Micro is finest for inventive makes use of like in-car use, making a digital good calendar or show, or as a devoted media participant for a front room or bed room. It positively wasn’t made for me, however regardless, I loved my time with the Lenovo Chromebox Micro, and I’m hoping this isn’t the final we see of it.
Would you wish to see extra Chromebook Micro fashions, other than Lenovo’s first try?
2 votes
Sooner or later, I’d wish to see extra highly effective variants that also retain an identical dimension and design, simply with a bit extra oomph. These fashions wouldn’t solely be higher suited to extra superior inventive initiatives, however they might make for a a lot better desktop alternative system. In fact, this is able to additionally require a fan, which could restrict simply how small the system may very well be. Maybe an ARM-based Chromebox Micro could be a greater match for that motive.