HP’s Chromebase 22-aa0012 is a novel type issue with a spinning 21.5-inch show, hanging efficiency, and clear aesthetics that make it a game-changing different for desktop computer systems.
Launched in July, the HP Chromebase all-in-one desktop is the primary and solely Chrome OS-powered desktop to function a completely rotating show. It might additionally function a TV, a sensible speaker, and an enormous stationary show for viewing pictures. It’s a nice desktop pc to deal with most private and enterprise computing duties.
The Chromebase type issue first surfaced a decade in the past however went nowhere. Solely Acer and HP presently have Chromebase releases available on the market.
It runs Android apps downloaded instantly from the Google Play retailer. It additionally runs Linux OS functions that load with an icon click on, similar to launching Android apps.
HP’s entry into the Chromebase market is considerably of a shock. The Chromebase idea — to not be confused with Chromebooks or Chromeboxes — has not seen a lot curiosity till now.
HP’s Chromebase 22-aa0012 is altering that notion.
One thing Outdated, New Once more
One of many earliest information of a Chromebase pc — working the identical Google Chrome OS working system because the extra broadly promoting Chromebook laptops — was initially unveiled on the Shopper Electronics Present (CES) in 2014.
LG launched the LG Chromebase with a 21.5-inch display that very same 12 months. They didn’t promote nicely, prompting LG to vacate the Chrome OS market.
Google launched the Chrome Working System (Chrome OS) in 2011 with the launch of the Chromebook laptop computer. Chromebooks are a light-weight different to different working programs. They run on the internet browser-based Chrome OS, which relies on the Google Chrome browser with some added functionalities.
Chrome OS is constructed on a Gentoo Linux-based working system. However Chrome OS customers don’t want any data of Linux. The Chrome OS interface is acquainted to anybody who has used the Chrome net browser.
What’s the Distinction?
The Chromebase is an all-in-one desktop machine. Chromebase computer systems include keyboard, mouse, and connected monitor. The conical-shaped base incorporates all the pc elements.
A Chromebox, alternatively, is a compact sq. field that incorporates a CPU and an SSD storage element like a Chromebook; however ships with no show display, keyboard, or mouse. Customers present these on their very own.
Chromebooks, particularly because the pandemic, have had giant gross sales spikes for residence, college, and enterprise use. Chromeboxes are much less common however provide a cost-effective strategy to changing an growing older PC. Chromeboxes are additionally a useful method so as to add a second pc to a small enterprise or residence workplace.
Most pc makers up to now haven’t proven curiosity within the Chromebase type issue. Acer in 2020 launched an Intel tenth Gen-powered Chromebase with a 23.8″ fixed-position display.
HP Chromebase Fundamentals
The HP Chromebase comes with a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo. The tapered five-inch mouse is obvious wanting with no particular options. However it’s snug to understand and works very nicely.
The 4-1/2″ x 11″ keyboard has a fantastic finger really feel and is much superior to any keyboard on any of my Chromebooks. The small keyboard’s compact design doesn’t inhibit its efficiency. Its journey and the compact design work nicely collectively.
The HP Chromebase measures 19.98 x 6.87 x 17.89 inches (W x D x H) and weighs 15.37 lbs. The shape issue resembles an iMac with the software program of a Chromebook. Pricing begins at $599.99.
The bottom holds the ability button on the again aspect and quantity rocker positioned on the proper aspect.
The all-in-one design contains all of the ports in a slim line up the again of the cone-shaped base: two USB Kind-C, two USB Kind-A, and the headphone/microphone combo.
Efficiency Choices
The processor selections are both a tenth Gen Intel Pentium Gold or Core i3 processor. The i3 selection is smart to be used instances involving duties like drafting paperwork, spreadsheets, Zoom connections, and different video software program.
Each choices are Comet Lake-U and are 15W processors. Nonetheless, the Core i3-10110U carried out as much as 60 p.c higher than the Pentium Gold 6405U, based on unbiased tech checks.
Storage choices are 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD or 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD. With no slot for an SD card to increase storage capability, the bigger SSD drive is a better option.
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RAM provide is available in three selections — 4, 8, or 16 GB, with further choices of chip kind and one or two chip sockets for 8 GB and 16 GB mixtures. Investing within the higher-end processor and the utmost 16 GB of RAM is unquestionably definitely worth the comparatively small value enhance.
I’ve used earlier Chromebooks with 4 GB RAM and fewer succesful processors. Their efficiency typically slowed down.
My a lot newer 8 GB Chromebook has not had these points, even with heavy use of Linux and Android apps. After two weeks of shifting my complete day by day workload to the 16 GB RAM Chromebase, I didn’t encounter a single occasion of getting to shift the computing job to a different pc.
Display Turf Glows
The HP Chromebase’s 21.5-inch touchscreen is the important thing consider optimizing the desktop Chrome OS expertise. The highest of the display holds a slider change to bodily cowl the 5-megapixel front-facing webcam lens and muzzle the speaker. With the dual-array digital microphone, Google Assistant is a voice command away.
The 16:9 ratio display show sports activities a 178-degree wide-viewing angle and a three-sided micro-edge bezel. The anti-glare panel supplies much less glare even in direct daylight from my workplace window and vibrant ceiling mild.
Studying net content material on this vertical (portrait) format is an superior expertise. I can see extra content material with a lot much less scrolling.
The swivel mechanism takes just one fingertip to rotate between panorama and portraits views. This feature is useful after I run Android apps that solely assist portrait orientation and for e-reading and content material creation jobs.
The show rotates 90-degrees and tilts again as much as 20 levels. Though the stand just isn’t vertically adjustable, it does sit at eye stage. The rotating display supplies full excessive definition (1920 x 1080), in-plane switching, and 250 nit brightness.
The 14-inch-tall base is wrapped in grey material. This conical base is 5 inches throughout on the backside and sits on a half-inch wider connected rim that forestalls it from tipping over. The underside of the bottom, the monitor trimmings, and HP 910 keyboard/mouse duo have a snowflake white end.
Closing Ideas
One of many extra satisfying points is the Bang & Olufsen-tuned audio system housed within the cone-shaped base. Its total LOUD and deep sounding audio is the very best I’ve ever heard from my assortment of six Chromebook laptops and tablets over time.
The HP Chromebase 22-aa0012 when within the vertical display or portrait place, not like convertible Chromebook computer systems, lacks pill mode performance. This machine doesn’t have gesture options which might be obtainable for navigation in pill gadgets.
Nonetheless, commonplace Chrome OS keyboard shortcuts work. Each the keyboard and mouse entry all the usual digital desk performance now commonplace in Chrome OS gadgets.
General, the HP Chromebase 22-aa0012 deserves critical consideration instead desktop pc. The performance of the Chrome OS has grown impressively.
The mixture of working app-like progressive net apps (PWA) and Android apps, plus choices to incorporate Linux functions and Microsoft Home windows (for these with enterprise plans) make the Chromebase a versatile and highly effective pc.
I bought the HP Chromebase to check out as a alternative for an growing older desktop workhorse. The 30-day return coverage was my security web. HP’s Chromebase now has a everlasting residence on my desk.