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HP's latest detachable Chromebook uses the Snapdragon 7c chipset
The company also unveiled a new monitor and a Chrome OS-powered all-in-one.
Acer Chromebase is an all-in-one video conference system
We first met Acer's Chromebase at CES 2016, but that one wasn't loaded with Google's enterprise software like this version is. The company's new Chromebase for meetings is a dedicated video conference system that tracks schedules and supports 25-person Hangouts sessions, even with people with no Google accounts. Unlike Chromebox for meetings, which the big G launched back in 2014, this is an all-in-one device that already comes with a display. Google says getting the computer up and running is as easy as plugging it in and connecting it to a network.
Acer's new Chromebase is bigger and more powerful than ever
The idea of all-in-ones running Google's ChromeOS is now firmly established, and Acer is pushing the concept further with its new Chromebase 24. While previous models from LG and Acer have used cheaper chips like Intel Celerons and Tegra K1s, the Chromebase 24 uses proper Intel Core chips, like the sort you'd find in all-in-ones running Windows or OS X. It's also got a larger display than the last generation of Chromebases -- a 23.8-inch 1080p IPS unit with optional touchscreen support.
Acer's Chrome OS all-in-one is the first with a touchscreen
Intrigued by the idea of an all-in-one Chrome OS computer, but were hoping for something a little more exciting than the likes of LG's Chromebase? You've got it: Acer has just unveiled its own Chromebase. The system has a 21.5-inch 1080p display like its LG rival, but it's the first to include a touchscreen for those times you want to share input (or just can't be bothered to reach for the mouse). It's also running on NVIDIA's Tegra K1 chip rather than the speedier Intel Celeron of its competitor, although that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're looking for a quiet, low-powered PC. Whether or not it has the lower cost to match is up in the air, however. Acer ships its Chromebase to Asia and North America in the second quarter of the year, but it hasn't divulged pricing just yet.
Which all-in-one desktops are worth buying?
As laptops continue to become more powerful, there's still plenty of room for an all-in-one desktop in your life. Their slim profile makes them a bit more desk- or living room-friendly than a typical tower PC, while the large built-in screen is great for getting work done or watching a movie. To help you decide which units are worthy enough to grace your office or den, we've taken a look at reviews from trusted critics to find systems that can handle a variety of tasks, including editing documents, watching movies and even some hardcore gaming. Check out the gallery below to see five of the better all-in-one desktops available now, as well as one we'd rather you didn't buy.
You can get LG's first Chrome all-in-one later this month for $350
Five months is almost enough time for us to question whether a product announced at CES will become vaporware, so any news about the LG Chromebase is welcome. This morning, we learned that LG's first Chrome OS-based all-in-one will be officially available at online retailers on May 26th for $350. The Chromebase comes with a 21.6-inch 1080p IPS LCD, an Intel processor that's based on Haswell and 100GB storage space on Google Drive for two years. This was just one product out of several announced in tandem by Google and Intel today, all of which are reasonably priced and are aimed at competing against the PC industry.
LG Chromebase: Handling Chrome OS on an all-in-one (video)
LG's first foray into Chrome OS is also a first for the Google operating system, debuting in an all-in-one. Not a Chromebox then, nor a Chromebook, but a Chromebase, consisting of a 21.5-inch screen connected to a curved hinge. The 1080p IPS LCD was more than adequate for a session of browsing, typing within Google Docs and, er, taking another look at the new House of Cards trailer on YouTube. The screen is good, but we're keeping our judgment tempered until we hear a specific price. With three USB ports to connect to companion keyboards and mice (and something else), using the Chromebase was like using any typical all-in-one. Interestingly, because both are relegated to peripherals here (like a Chromebox) you'll be able to connect your favorite mechanical keyboard and laser-precision mouse, negating the Chromebook series' occasional trackpad-keyboard woes. That said, LG's 'board and mouse worked fine, with both coated in the same matte finish of the AIO unit. There's also the two color options planned, with a fetching matte black finish launching alongside the white model sometime in this half of 2014. We've got a closer look, on video, right after the break.
LG's 21.5-inch Chromebase all-in-one puts ChromeOS on the desktop
Besides Samsung's Chromebox series ChromeOS has appeared mostly on laptops, but now LG will put its new Chromebase up against Apple's iMac and Windows-based all-in-one desktop PCs. According to the spec sheet, that 21.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD hides an Intel Celeron CPU, 2GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD inside, along with an assortment of ports (including HDMI-in so you can use it as a monitor) in the back and on the sides. It won't compete with high-end PCs on horsepower or internal storage, but it's ready to play a part in Google's vision of network computers that run mostly web-based apps, are hassle free and require no real maintenance. We're not expecting to get Steam loaded on here, but when we're playing IT for relatives over the holiday something like this may seem like a better option. Without a pricetag it's hard to judge properly, so we'll look for that and more information -- including other devices that might use some of the Chrome-related trademarks that leaked in October --next month at CES.
