ASUS Chromebox 3-N017U

This is the first Chrome Device (Chromebook or Chromebox) that I've had, and it has been great for everyday chores. When it arrived, I plugged in the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, turned on the monitor first so the computer could "see" the monitor as it booted up, and then started the computer. Everything connected within a few seconds, and I was on the internet in just over 30 seconds. This Chromebox has 4G of RAM and 32G of solid state storage. 4G of RAM allows good work processing and spreadsheets with LibreOffice (Linux), and allows seamless play with Angry Birds. I'm not a gamer, so I can't comment directly on high level games - from what I've read, you would want a faster processor, a lot more RAM, and a lot more SSD storage if gaming is your thing. After installing several Android and Linux apps, I had 14G of free memory, so I would strongly recommend 32G of built in storage as a minimum. There is an SD card slot and a total of 6 USB ports ( 2 are USB 3.1) that could be used for additional storage for music, photos, videos, etc. This Device has access to BOTH the Google Play Store as well as a virtual Linux operating system with access to many Linux apps, however a potential buyer needs to be aware that there are some limitations/compromises with both at the current time (I hope they will get better in the future). Some Android apps don't work, some work poorly because they were designed for phones that use tilting as an input, some are designed for portrait mode so they look odd on a landscape screen, and some work normally. It's the same with Linux: some Linux apps are not readily available or don't work (like Veracrypt), some need a little tweaking (lots of articles on-line), and some work great (like LibreOffice for free, off-line word processing, spreadsheets, etc) . Even with the limitations, you still have a lot more capability than you had with a Chrome Device 1-2 yrs ago. Now I mostly run my Windows machine when I need to use iTunes to sync music to my iPod, run HRBlock for taxes, and do medium complex video editing. If you are thinking about a Chrome Device and want Linux, you need to check the specifications for that machine - I believe all new Chrome Devices will run Android, but some still don't run Linux - Asus Chromebox 3 does. As usual Chromebox is sandboxed and locked down tight to avoid malware on all 3 sectors (Chrome/Android/Linux), and takes care of itself by doing updates in the background. Google Play Store will send you a notification when it has updates to do - just click "install updates". Linux needs an occasional manual updating by double clicking on the Linux Terminal, then typing in sudo apt-get update and then pressing ENTER key - easy as pie. Conclusion: Asus Chromebox 3 is a major improvement over the typical Chrome Device of only 1-2 yrs ago, and can take care of my needs about 97% of the time. It's easily twice as fast to get to the internet as a Windows machine costing twice as much, and takes half as much time to do updates.

I was hunting far and wide for an easy-to-use computer for my octogenarian father-in-law who LOVES his email and internet. Windows Operating System (OS) is getting so complicated that it frustrates him more than it should and Mac's proprietary shenanigans are frustrating and not as simple as they used to be. We've tried them both and neither was interesting. My daughter had a Chromebook for school and the OS seemed about his speed, so when his Windows computer died an untimely death, I convinced him to give this one a try. Put one in the WIN column. In addition to this system providing all the functionality he needs (plus quite a bit), it's easy to use. If you've not used the Chrome OS, it's like a stripped down version of Windows. (I'd encourage you to look it up if you haven't. It's pretty slick.) The thing that knocked my socks off is the blazing speed at which this little dynamo goes through its paces. I'm not kidding when I say that its start-up sequence is 20 seconds, meaning from the time you hit the power button, you'll be able to start surfing the web that quickly. WOW! My iMac (at 4x the cost) takes 4 times as long! I bought the least-expensive version of this Chromebox and it's lightning fast. Windows open and close fast. Web surfing is fast. Video streaming is smooth. The whole OS is responsive and agile. I'm so impressed, I want one for myself. Even after buying all the extras (monitor, speakers, webcam, keyboard, mouse), it's still a remarkable value. If you're looking for a great value that (so far) seems like a worry-free OS, this might just surpass your needs.

Build quality is solid. It even includes a brackets making any monitor an AIO. Chrome OS is mindlessly simple and very fast... better than Windows if you only do light office work and home entertaining. Despite the goodies, I returned it because: (1) the USB-C did not work with my lenovo USB-C QHD monitor (it should but didn't); (2) Chrome OS currently does not support MS OneNote which I rely on everyday. Will definitely try the next version of the Chromebox hopefully all these issues have been addressed that time.

Had a 5 year old all in one Chromebase, reach the end of its automatic update life, and started to get glitchy. Knew it was time to replace it, but I really loved that computer. One of the best working computers I ever had, never any problems until the end. But did some research and the Chromeboxes looked intriguing. I bought this device, along with a new Asus monitor. So far, it works great. Fast boot up time. The device has more ports on then any computer Ive ever had. I like the mounting Vesa plate, that lets you attached to the back of monitor to save space. All the normal Chrome OS features with new updates. So far, dont miss my old Chromebase so much.

I ordered this chrome box in July. I use it mainly for google drive and google photos. I loved the quickness and reliability of the computer...until 10 months later when I was in the middle of a google document and it completely died. Luckily it is still under warranty and I am hoping I perhaps just got a dud. Hopefully I will get a replacement soon, and can write a much better review.

This is a perfect device for someone who wants/needs a minimalist desktop. It boots within seconds like any other Chrome device, but if you're not familiar with anything other than a Windows machine, this is a welcome change. No need for anti-virus, etc. It's not limiting in the least, though someone moving to a Chrome device for the first time may need to make a few adjustments to how they work. However, in this day and age, when are you ever not connected to the internet? Unless you need a boatload of storage for your music library or something like that, or perhaps you need some intensive programs installed (image editing maybe?), then there really isn't a need for a full-blown desktop. Cloud apps have come a long way and even something like Only Office is a free and fantastic replacement for Microsoft Office. I really only need to print, scan, browse the net, and do word processing with a desktop, all of which can be handled via this Chromebox: printing via HP's Print for Chrome browser extension, scanning via the printer's web interface, and word processing via one of the free cloud-based office suites. It's plenty fast for what I need it for, and it not only supports Android apps but also has support for Linux apps (in the dev channel, I think). Fast, secure, small footprint on the desk, etc. I've been a Chromebook user for 4-5 years now, and now that I've got the Chromebox, my house is more or less full Chrome. No regrets so far.

I finally got totally fed up with pc's...I've had quite a few and after a while they run slow, get bugs, are too expensive to fix, get bugs, run slow --- you get the idea. Thought I'd try out this chromebox. What a difference. Comes on almost immediately, no hassles, no bugs. I should say I only use it for email and surfing the web. I occasionally use a spreadsheet and word processor, which I do on google. Not as good as Word or Excel, but certainly usable. And, it's so small it fits anywhere on my desk. One problem: about once every ten times I start it I have to unplug and replug the keyboard. I can live with that. For the price I think it's a great deal.

We have never used a Chromebox before. We have Google products and we were used to the Google os environment. Integrated well with our setup. Easy to setup. There a few caveats to the Chromebox. It functions more like a phone or tablet rather than a computer. Programs are apps installed via play store for example, which is fine for our use. Only thing that we have not been able to figure out using a headset. No audio jack and our wireless headsets have not worked. Otherwise, it is affordable and meets/exceeds our needs.