Google Unveils Chromebit, A Full Computer That You Can Plug Into Any Display for Under $100

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Posted March 31, 2015 at 6:03pm by Shalom Levytam

Google today unveiled Chromebit, a full computer that you can plug into any display for under $100.

This summer, ASUS will launch a new type of Chrome device: the Chromebit. Smaller than a candy bar, the Chromebit is a full computer that will be available for less than $100. By simply plugging this device into any display, you can turn it into a computer. It’s the perfect upgrade for an existing desktop and will be really useful for schools and businesses.

The Chromebit has 2GB of RAM, Rockchip's 3288 processor and 16GB of storage. There are two ports: one HDMI and one USB. You connect the Chromebit to the display via HDMI and power the device via the USB 2.0 port. Connecting a keyboard and mouse can be done via Bluetooth or the USB port.

"Asus actually really pulled off a marvel of engineering here, squeezing everything into this size," said Caesar Sengupta, VP of product management at Google, during a press event.

Google Unveils Chromebit, A Full Computer That You Can Plug Into Any Display for Under $100

The company also announced new Chromebooks.

The Haier Chromebook 11 (available at Amazon) and the Hisense Chromebook (available at Walmart) are lightweight, have all-day battery life and are available for pre-order today for $149.

The ASUS Chromebook Flip is a premium, all-metal convertible that is 15mm thin and weighs less than two pounds. It features a touch screen and will be available later this spring for $249.

We'll have more details on the Chromebit as they become available. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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Noman - April 1, 2015 at 8:26am

So who does first the cPhone? So simple is stupid that no-one has done it - Computer Phone. Yes, just enable dual boot, 16g ram and maybe another for OSn + storage and we all have computers in our pockets! Just plug it to your monitor/dock and you got desktop with all the peripherals , un-plug and the phone is back in your pocket. Simple. #hintforappleasnextinnovation

Story - April 2, 2015 at 3:08pm

Ubuntu might be working on this.

Mr.G - April 1, 2015 at 8:13am

seems to be 'HDMI stick' equivalent to the Raspberry Pi 2

martynmorris - April 1, 2015 at 12:19pm

Raspberry pi 2 has 1gb of ram.

AppleMan12 - April 2, 2015 at 8:42am

I was thinking the exact same thing,this is very competitive to the Raspberry, i would actually prefer this one

MUKAI - April 1, 2015 at 7:16am

I would get it so I can install XBMC KODI

Gee Deezy - March 31, 2015 at 9:42pm

I'm still not convinced I would put ChromeOS machines into the "full computer" category, but it looks like a neat product.

iPhone 6 Plus is my boy - March 31, 2015 at 7:51pm

Wow thumb drive sized computer with 2GB RAM and 16GB flash? Now im staring at my Apple TV3 that has 1/4 of RAM and no storage nor any computing other than stream videos or Airplay.. And they both cost the same....

gamerscul9870 - March 31, 2015 at 8:43pm

It has been years since the last update, but who uses that amount of RAM? Plus what are you even trying to compare here?

iPhone 6 Plus is my boy - March 31, 2015 at 8:59pm

Yup. Its been years since last update on Apple TV. Yet they were selling it for $100 until recent discount. And that piece of RAM has 2 times RAM than your iPhone 6 and 4 times in similar-priced Apple TV 3. Thats what im comparing

gamerscul9870 - March 31, 2015 at 9:01pm

Until the next iphone to get the boost iPad Air got.

iPhone 6 Plus is my boy - March 31, 2015 at 9:13pm

And that boost should have been done last year. In the past 2 years, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the only smartphones within the price range of $600 that have 1GB RAM. A lot of people made complaints but some were backing Apple with 'we don't need more than 1GB'. And a few weeks later, iPad Air 2 comes out with 2GB RAM and everyone changed their minds, wanting Apple to bring 2GB to the next iPhone. See the irony?

Spawn - March 31, 2015 at 7:50pm

Interesting the CPU rocket chip 3288 delivers GPU of 4Kx2K resolution with HDMI 2.0, this should be enough to deliver 60Hz in 4K. I may replace my Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV to stream all my movies and watch 4K content on my 4K TV!

What142 - March 31, 2015 at 7:25pm

Where are you on this one apple??

gamerscul9870 - March 31, 2015 at 8:27pm

Where is the information on how it works?