Acer ChromeBox CXI3 Review: OS Ultimate Chrome desktop

Chrome OS has always been designed with low -power laptops. There have been a few desktop machines over the years, such as ASUS Chromebit and LG Chromebase, but they are largely more than they are by Chromebooks. Apparently, many companies have announced the new OS Chrome desktop in CES earlier this year – all able to run Android applications.

Acer’s new desktop is “ChromeBox Cxi3”, which was sold again in April. Multiple configurations are available, from Intel Celeron version with 4 GB RAM to the primary i7 with 16 GB RAM. Interestingly, Acer does not market CXi3 for consumers – it is designed for use in schools, where Chrome OS is very popular. The desktop is only available for purchase through some retailers such as Newegg and TigerDirect.

We sent the Acer I5 Core (CXI3-I58GKM), which has 8 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. After using it for a few weeks, I can safely say that it may be the best chromium desktop that you can buy – even if it is a little price.

Specifications

Goodness

Not very good

Design and accessories

Like almost all ChromeBox, CXI3 is a very small device. It is 5.9 x 5.8 inches (15 x 14.7 cm), with a thickness of only 1.6 inches (4 cm). The cover is made of difficult -colored plastic – nothing amazing. One sides have Acer and Chrome logos, and the other has some devices stickers.

Air ventilation holes are located on the round sides and back. Since CXI3 uses the U-Series Intel (designed for laptops), is usually very calm. The only time I heard that fans became the highest sound while playing the criteria for this review.

The power button is in the foreground, along with the MicroSD card, two USB 3.0 port, and the headphone compatriot/microphone. On his back there is a HDMI conductor, a USB 3.0 Type-C port, Kingston lock, three USB 3.0 ports, and Ethernet RJ-45 port.

The Type-C connect supports the width, so you can use two screens once (when combined with the HDMI port). It cannot be used as an energy entry, but it can charge your other Type-C devices, as long as it uses USB power delivery.

CXI3 comes with the ChicKlet keyboard, which contains standard OS Chrome layout – there are no function keys, search button instead of CAPS lock, etc. If you use a regular keyboard, OS Chrome appears to know Windows keyboard shortcuts. For example, I can lock ChromeBox by clicking on Win + L.

As for the guaranteed mouse, it is incredibly cheap and you must definitely use something else. Any USB mouse or a regular Bluetooth mouse will work well on OS Chrome. Finally, the Acer includes the Vesa rising set in the box, so that you can install CXI3 to the back of most of the screens.

programming

As the name suggests, the Acer ChromeBox CXI3 operates OS Chrome OS. This means that you are getting a Chrome browser, whatever Android applications that you can download from the Play Store, not much. All the usual features of the Chrome operating system apply here – there are no viruses/harmful programs, great performance, background updates, and fast starting time.

As I explained in my review ASUS C302, I really like OS Chrome. It is definitely limited, but most of my work can be done through the browser – with the exception of the transverse Photoshop modifications. Chrome OS is still not for everyone, but this does not mean that it is “not a real system”, as I saw many people call it.

Some OS Chrome will be able to operate Linux applications, but it is not clear whether Acer ChromeBox CXI3 will be among them. If Linux’s support is a top priority for you, I recommend waiting for the feature to be actually presented to CX13 before purchasing one (update: Chrome Unboxed says that Linux’s support is now available on CXI3 in DeV channel).

performance

The vast majority of Chromebooks books contain specifications below the jacket-usually the Intel Celeron or Pentium processor associated with a random access memory 2 or 4 GB. Even in these machines, Chrome OS works well. When you give the Chrome OS Core i5 processor and 8 GB RAM, it can be completely Flies.

The regular workflow includes a few web applications (Slack, Discord, Spotify, Twitter Lite, etc.), one or two Android applications (usually Lightroom and Gmail), and about 20 Chrome tabs. CXi3 treats all of this well – I never noticed slowdown.

If you are interested in standards, CXI3 records 187.6 in the speed meter test. This is almost Four times What you got asus chromebook c302. On Geekbench 4, the result is 4,357 for mono -core performance and 8,976 for the nucleus (full results). Simply, this thing is fast.

conclusion

Acer ChromeBox Cxi3 is an excellent machine. It is always compressed, fast and calm. However, the price may be given to some potential buyers – the Core i5 model as it has been reviewed here contains MSRP at a value of $ 519.99. This is almost the same price as a medium -range computer, or a laptop for half Windows, or Samsung Chromebook Plus V2.

However, I don’t think the price is very heavy. This contains the same central processing unit that has many new brands of dual -random access memory (2 x 4 GB) DDR4 and 64 GB SSD. The processor costs about 7 alone, and the memory is likely to be about $ 100.

The i3 has $ 469.99 on an INTEL 7 older processor, but it should be fast. We haven’t reviewed any OS Chrome devices with the Celeron 3865u processor, so I can’t say with certainty whether Celeron CXI3 is well performed, but it is likely to be good for multi -light tasks. For the Core i7 model, I can’t see a reason to buy it, given how quickly the Core i5 release is already.

If you like OS Chrome and want to try desktop without compiles, I5 Acer ChromeBox Cx13 fits the bill. Chromeboxes is also great for family members who only need an e -mail/messages/social networks, but the i5 is likely to be exaggerated – I recommend Celeron or i3 versions instead.

He buys: Tigerdirect, Newegg, NextwareHouse (Celeon, i3, i5, i7)