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This just popped up. This would be a great alternative to a NUC, to play 1080p etc.
Asus Chromebox $249 + Delivery @ Kogan
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Thanks. ANd it answered my question as using one of these for a mythtv frontend.
Cheers
only problem with that one from HP is the memory is soldered onboard and not upgradeable. The asus one is upgradeable with 2x SO-DIMM slots.
HP memory is not soldered. HP simply has a single SODIMM slot.
It's the celeron version but still a good price.
Looks identical to the much-cheaper US model previously listed here. Amazon ships to AU.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/asus-chromebox-m004u
LoungeLizard, see comments on those for the minor differences between ASUS and HP models.
It would be a cold day in hell before I bought from Kogan instead of Amazon.I dont see how this is any better, or cheaper, than purchasing an NUC celeron? For that price the NUC would have a much bigger hdd and your choice of OS
NUC celeron has that terrible N2820 processor with design faults, the 2955u has 50% higher benchmarks :)
Also you can put your choice of OS flavors on there, links below:
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2014/04/24/intel-n2820…
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/132300-unleash-your-chr…
It's better because you don't need to buy RAM/HDD etc it's good to go, could even install Linux on a usb key etc.
Also you can put your choice of OS flavors on there
Well yes, as long as your choice of OS is "not Windows".
Bought one a few mths ago, not quite sure what to do with it as I was hoping to stream video from a NAS. Google wants you to stream from g-drive or play from the limited SSD.
put a linux disto on there :)
If all you want to do is stream media from your NAS, OpenELEC runs perfectly on it. Recommended.
Strangely Kogan includes these:
What's in the box:
ASUS Chromebox (M039U)
Wireless Keyboard + Mouse
AC Adapter
Warranty Card
User Manual
VESA Mount Kit
Quick Start GuideA Wireless Keyboard + Mouse??? Better than the one I got from Amazon. Also different processor.
No, local model is same Celeron 2955u cpu. Should be great for web or htpc.
As manic has mentioned, it's the same processor. Not sure what Keyboard and Mouse are included, but if it's the same combo as in the US i3 model, it's not worth it IMO.
Probably a good time to mention media format support on ChromeOS. It plays a lot of formats - but a big killer is that there is no AC3 audio support due to licensing on the codec. For a list of supported USB devices as well as the supported media formats head to the Google Support page: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183093?hl=en .
Now, that said, I've had a great deal of success with media by installing Crouton (Think Ubuntu for ChromeOS) on my Chromebox/Chromebook which allows you to install a Linux version of VLC Media player.
I love my Chromebox (I went for the i3 version which has more RAM and ability to output 4K content), just want people to be aware of what it can do.