The first ChromeOS PC – the Samsung Chromebox – has inadvertently gone on sale.
Plucky perusers of electronics retailer TigerDirect were able to order the $329 device ahead of its official release.
Better yet, one buyer who had his ordered fulfilled has posted up a 9 minute ‘unboxing’ video of the dual-core 1.9Ghz Intel Celeron-powered PC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3DkI83YHGg
Two distinct versions of the Chromebox will be available, including one that ships with a wireless keyboard, mouse and beefed up Intel i5 processor (see video callout below) but, so far at least, only the peripheral-less Intel Celeron version has ‘leaked’ into the wild.
Specs
Peripherals and processor models aside the insides of the Chromebox are largely the same for both of the rumoured models: –
- 4GB DDR3 RAM
- 16GB SSD
- Intel HD Graphics 3000
- 6 USB Ports
- Headphone/Mic Jack
- DVI/Display Ports
- Ethernet/Bluetooth/WiFi/Optional 3G
Size wise the little box measures 1.3″ tall, and 7.6″ on each of its four sides.
‘Tough Sell’
Given Google, Samsung and Acer have had a tough time trying to shift both the concept of ChromeOS and portable devices running it, the success of ChromeOS on a traditional PC looks far from certain.
And if the steep pricing by TigerDirect holds true then Samsung may find themselves with an uphill struggle on their hands in gaining the device traction with consumers.
Are you tempted?