LG announces Chromebase, a Chrome OS all-in-one computer

[techbeck]

 

Google's Chrome OS is typically found in inexpensive Chromebook laptops, and occasionally a Chromebox desktop as well. At next month's Consumer Electronics Show, however, LG will put it into a desktop computer monitor. The company has just announced the Chromebase, a 21.5-inch all-in-one computer that runs the minimal OS, with an unnamed Intel Celeron processor, 2GB of memory, and 16GB of solid state storage housed underneath the monitor's 1080p IPS display.

 

While the computer comes with its own keyboard, mouse, speakers, webcam, USB ports and networking, it sounds like it can also still act as a monitor for another PC, thanks to an HDMI input around back. Theoretically, you could use Chrome OS as a quick-booting operating system for simple tasks when you don't want to fire up the full setup. It's an idea we've seen a number of times before, including with Android-based smart monitors at CES last year.

 

It's worth noting that individual users aren't LG's primary target with the Chromebase, though. In a press release accompanying the announcement, LG writes that it expects the Chromebase to be espeically well received in schools, hotels, and call centers, among other businesses. One of the main selling points of Chrome OS is that you can log into any Chrome OS computer and have your content waiting for you, because it's all stored in the cloud. That could come in handy for students and hotel guests, because those terminals could be totally interchangable.

 

LG doesn't say when we can expect the Chromebase to arrive or how much it will cost, but we'll be sure to check it out next month.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/17/5221906/lg-announces-chromebase-a-chrome-os-all-in-one-computer

[Max Norris]

Hrmmm wonder what the price tag is going to be on this.. got a few RDP terminals I wouldn't mind replacing with something a bit shinier, there's a few Chrome addons that supposedly handle it.

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

i can see how this could be well used as a kiosk system for applications and things.

[SlimShady]

I really don't trust Google. It would be great if we could use an alternative Linux distro, and still benefit from the shinyness.

[Growled Member]

Wow, they are really going all out on Chrome OS. Never would have figured on that.

[techbeck]

Didnt even know LG was looking in to this.  That makes it 5 OEMs for Chrome OS devices and another 2 rumored for next year.

 

Wow, they are really going all out on Chrome OS. Never would have figured on that.

[Growled Member]

^ At this rate it's going to be the next big thing.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

I really don't trust Google. It would be great if we could use an alternative Linux distro, and still benefit from the shinyness.

 

In a lot of case you can. I know that some Chromebooks have been reformatted to run other distros. In fact there's a topic in the Linux subforum showing you how to do install Debian on one :)

[techbeck]

^ At this rate it's going to be the next big thing.

 

Seems like a lot of OEMs are seeing the need/value in CBs.  Having a total of 7 OEMs making Chrome OS devices shows this.  And with Google adding more and more features to CBs, who knows...these could really explode in to the market.

[Growled Member]

^ I love my Chromebook. It's great at what it does.