Asus Chromebit

A cheap and easy way of turning an old monitor into an all-in-one PC, the Asus Chromebit makes up for a somewhat limited desktop experience with great performance and ease of use.

Portable form factor ; Easy setup ; Upcycle existing displays

Single USB port ; Can't run desktop apps ; Limited storage

The Chromebit is a compact, versatile HDMI dongle that transforms your existing display or TV into a Chrome OS-powered all-in-one. Chrome OS's lighter footprint makes better use of the limited hardware resources on the Chromebit, making it a better...

On the face of it, the Asus Chromebit is a good-value device. £80 for a relatively capable PC is a bargain however you look at it, although it's not as cheap as I would have expected for such a low-powered device that isn't lumbered with an expensive...

The Asus Chromebit is a small micro-desktop that brings cloud-based tools and services to any display at a very low price.

It's limited to the same online tools as other Chrome OS devices. Minimal onboard storage. A single USB port makes expansion difficult.

It won't run Photoshop or play games, but add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the Asus Chromebit turns any HDMI-compatible display or television into a Web-surfing station.

It's only $85 ; Mostly stableperformance ; Easy extensibility via USB ; Chrome OS has matured over the years

Finicky setup process ; Weak at multitasking ; Relatively short power cable

ASUS' new Chromebit strives to squeeze the power of the internet into a single, relatively cheap HDMI dongle. Basic tasks like email, web browsing and word processing is a cinch, and the Chromebit is pretty good at handle 1080p video streams too....

Pocket-sized design ; Good connectivity ; Quick performance ; Streams 1080p video smoothly

Runs hot

At the end of the day, there are two important factors that set the Asus Chromebit apart from other competing mini computers. The first is the Mali GPU, which helps pick up the slack in video playback, light gaming, and quick tab switches — an area...

Costs less than $90. Simple to set up and use. Same size as a large USB stick. Plugs directly into an HDMI port in a monitor or HDTV. Operates quietly.

Only 16GB of local storage and 2GB of RAM. Requires bundled HDMI extension cable in tight quarters. Lacks SD slot. Keyboard and mouse not included.

Conclusion The Asus can be a versatile and convenient media-streaming device if you consume your music and video content from within a browser. And unlike other media streaming devices, the also works as a PC, allowing you to access your files on...

The Asus Chromebit will be available in this summer and should sell for under $100. UK and Australian prices have yet to be announced, but $100 converts to around £70 or AU$130.