Review: Samsung Chromebox
Moan, moan, moan: that’s how I suspected this review would come across as I pondered on my initial impressions of Samsung’s Chromebox – its Mac Mini-styled desktop computer that runs Google’s Chrome OS. You know, the online operating system that turns your computer into paperweight when there’s no internet connection. And then I …
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Re: replace the intel part with AMD ...
The CPU is not the important part in an HTPC. The GPU is where it's at and Intel GPUs are crap.
Re: The GPU is where it's at and Intel GPUs are crap
Yes. Intel GPUs are nasty in comparison with AMD's embedded ATI functionality, but this is only true of 3D accelerated graphics. HTPCs, by definition, are mainly used for audio / video playback applications, and all Intel CPUs (as of HD3000) handle blu-ray and other 1080p content perfectly.
Your argument is therefore nonsensical, as no one uses an HTPC for gaming, unless they are on a massive budget or just very uninformed, and this is the only area where AMD wins.
Re: The GPU is where it's at and Intel GPUs are crap
Duh - massively >low< budget, I meant...
Re: The GPU is where it's at and Intel GPUs are crap
> and all Intel CPUs (as of HD3000) handle blu-ray and other 1080p content perfectly.
I've heard empty promises like that before. It's like the year of Desktop Linux.
So my argument is hardly nonsensical.
Some of us actually use this stuff rather than just talk about it.
More Google innovation
Force users on to Chrome, charge the same as regular machine.
They've started going after Opera users already: http://www.ghacks.net/2012/07/05/google-annoys-opera-users-with-incompatibility-warnings/
Can't have other browsers around, can we.
Where a device like this could come in
Is where ISP's could supply one as part of a package. The ISP doesn't care about how it works off line.
So some punter wants this interwebby thing. ISP can offer the connection and a device to use on connection. Said device will be supported by ISP. Hey it plugs in and works. Can browse the interwebby and can read email. Maybe can tie into the ISP so doesn't work if leave. Not much to go wrong, if it breaks maybe send a remote reset and if still fails swap it out. Not much stored locally so don't need to wipe and customer doesn't loose important pictures and the like.
All this may take some special set up and the price needs to be a lot lower.
Hmmmm
I think there is market space for a device like this - self-contained, application focused. And Linux is perfect for this: you want something easily customized to the application space you want, robust and low-cost. And Linux runs on hardware both great and small. So this looks like it's in the right direction.
But I have a few reservations. It's a wee bit expensive. Okay, the Mac Mini is a couple of hundred more, but it's massively preferable to this if you're the sort of person who has the money available. If you're not the sort of person who has such money, then a mini-PC is a bit of a luxury anyway. You'd be better off just buying a cheap PC in the first place as pretty much everyone is familiar with such an environment.
Also, whilst I'm not really very familiar with Chrome OS, just looking at that Desktop seems weird. If the entire environment is accessed through the browser, then why on Earth make the browser a normal window floating on a Desktop? Why not make it a permanent full-screen affair and have tabs implemented in a way more similar to switching between applications like on Windows, KDE or Gnome? Why even have those icons in the bottom left? Just have a web-interface to the system settings and have a standard means of taking you back to that page when needed. It seems like a lot more thought could go into usability for this.
As regards the review, I'd be interested to know if the reviewer actually ever solved their problems. That helps us know if the situation was just them making a trivial mistake (which we all do, but shouldn't be held against something in a review) or if it is really deep-routed bad design or bugs.
Anyway, I'm sure we'll see better iterations of this, and probably cheaper versions in the future too.
Re: Hmmmm
It was full screen before, but Google changed it in a later version. My guess is they needed to for drag&drop.
Linux may be great for this, but not when exclusively locked to Chrome. That's why Google has Android.
Re: Hmmmm
""It was full screen before, but Google changed it in a later version. My guess is they needed to for drag&drop."
Huh. I never even thought of that. How *do* you drag and drop files in ChromeOS?
"Linux may be great for this, but not when exclusively locked to Chrome. That's why Google has Android."
I'd probably whack KDE on there but I doubt it would be suitable for something like this. Really this is designed to be just a browsing and media device isn't it? That just screams for a cut down, more focused environment. I'm not sure Chrome OS is it from what I've seen, but I don't think full Linux + KDE / Gnome would be either. The original Apple Mac Mini interface (the last time I used one was the first one, so I don't know what it's like now) or the upcoming WindowsRT are probably better suited. But then you're moving up into more expensive set ups anyway. Someone should make a really focused Linux DE - browsing and media and apps only. Hmmm. So why doesn't this run Android again?
Re: Hmmmm
"I'd probably whack KDE on there".
Given that the specs are a little light I would have thought that a lighter desktop would be preferable. Something like XFCE or LXDE should fit.
"Someone should make a really focused Linux DE - browsing and media and apps only"
I don't know of one off the top of my head but I'm pretty sure that a look on Distrowatch.com might point you in the right direction. They list 722 distros of which 320 are considered live so there's a good chance that someone has already done the work on such a kiosk-like distribution.
I already have a virus-free up-to-date OS
[...]and having a virus-free up-to-date OS has its appeal[...]
I have one of these already. I call it "Windows 7." Chrome OS on that box feels like Windows 95, with about the same level of security.
As for no HDMI, there are plenty of DVI to HDMI adapters available. A lack of audio from that adapter would be my biggest gripe.
Re: I already have a virus-free up-to-date OS
Really?
I like Windows 7 as much as the next man but calling it virus free is worse than a Mac fanboi saying his platform is virus free.
Chrome OS has Linux at its core, and I believe the apps run in sandboxed web browser processes. You really shouldn't bother with computers if you think that's the same level of security as Windows 95.
Re: I already have a virus-free up-to-date OS
I had to laugh. What does "Linux at its core" mean in the context of viruses. Are you claiming Linux is virus free? Look at Android, which has Linux at its core. Android not pure Linux enough? Look here instead.
Sandboxing? Haha. If this has WebGL and NaCl we'll see how far that goes. Google already paid $410,000 in Chrome bug bounties, so it's far, far from being bug free.
Well I do have an OS, it is up to date, and it's virus-free.
It just happens to be Windows 7. And I happen to know how to keep viruses off before the fact.
If Android is any indication of Google's security approach (security is all-or-nothing for apps) I'm not holding out any hope for Chrome OS.
Re: I already have a virus-free up-to-date OS
Android has some Trojans. Compared to Windows, that's still pretty virus free.
The key here is always what's your viral infection vector if any? It's not the virus, it's the gaping security hole that it sneaks through.
That's like being 'half pregnant.'
Android has some Trojans. Compared to Windows, that's still pretty virus free.
"some trojans" != "virus free." And Paris, well... I won't say it. Too easy.
Too much!
If it was closer to £100 I'd consider getting one and flicking that switch so I could install Linux instead. As it is, I don't need something costing £280 for that, plenty of cheaper options.
Re: Too much!
Be patient. Before long you will likely be able to buy a pallet-load for that price.
N F W
The day i will be"signing in" to any of the giant data-parasites (i. e. google et. al) to use my computer, will be the day there will be two cold sundays on a week in hell!
Behold!! This is the real Google quality!
This is the real quality of Google programmers ad engineers in broad daylight. Not when they have bought out and stolen an hobbled technology together (Android OS) but when they have to do all the ground work themselves (Chrome OS). Let's just be thankful that as custodians of Android they can get away with hiding their substandard skills from the general public!
Re: Behold!! This is the real Google quality!
What do you mean by "do all the ground work themselves" for Chrome OS? They haven't done much by themselves:
*> Ripped a Debian Linux distro
*> Locked it up so it's entrails didn't pop up very often (but apparently haven't done a great job)
*> Added Chrome, where Chrome is: the V8 engine (using copied Java Hotspot tech they got by nicking Lars Bak), Webkit and some process isolation tech they might also have copied from elsewhere.
Actually V8 is so close to Hotspot you can actually use the Sun Java Hotspot c1visualizer tool to run on traces produced by the V8 engine! How's that for copying...
and bang there's your Chrome OS.
Erm, if I were to buy one of these it would be for use as a web browser when plugged into my telly. How does it perform as a web browser? I have no fucking idea because it isn't mentioned in the review. The most important use for the box and it isn't mentioned. Now that's what I call a major review fail. I don't give a shit if it's hard to print from. Why would I want to? Get a grip.
Dragging to external devices
For what it's worth, I don't really know *what* to expect when it comes to dragging files around. I established in the 90s that Windows had different behaviour depending on the source and destination location, decided that this was one of Microsoft's usability nightmares (I have USB drives that don't behave like removable devices and systems that come up with their drives in a different order; worrying about the default behaviour is the last thing I want), and I've been right-mouse dragging files (and selecting copy or move from the menu) ever since. Oh, and occasionally I use Ctrl-X/Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V. But then I was brought up on Acorn systems, which let you choose whether you wanted a copy or move by which mouse button you were doing it with, so trying to second-guess based on the device type was never a problem.
Not that this makes the Chromebox any more usable from the sounds of it, but "not like Windows" doesn't mean "broken". That statement is really quite often true.
Repeating myself, repeating myself.........
>>For those with a genuine interest in Chrome OS there are two excellent eBooks via Amazon Kindle Store:
- My Google Chromebook by Michael Miller (he has many IT Books)
- The Chrome Book by C.H.Rome (this is really Tony Loton who also has a good book on ePublishing)
Some good stuff in both books.<<
Above posted 29/06/12
These guys have used the earlier Chrome devices & go into considerable detail.
Worth £14.
I'll be getting a Chromebox just for the hell of it.
I see them in use as additional family devices, reception areas, libraries, airports, internet cafes etc.
Definitely concur with Tony Loton's remarks in the opening pages of The Chrome Book.
Sick & tired of fixing other people's PCs.
As expected
Sadly, this is as expected.
Basics such as moving instead of copying are going to ruin the user's experience and show the self centred approach of some people.
Re: As expected
Absolutely. I wonder why Microsoft decided to do it.
And The Target Was?
Lots of interesting comments already made and I agree with the assessments of the review and comments that question the point of this product. Maybe we all got it wrong by considering it to be aimed at consumers? Suppose it was aimed at Apple instead - a device that was intended to try and compete with the latest incarnation of the Mac Mini, but one which was critically compromised by the choice of OS, limited thanks to Samsung's partnership with Googe over Android?
As others have posted, there is no shortage of viable (and much better) alternatives out there.
Quite a few people mention the Acer Revo PC. I had one of these, but just replaced mine with the Shuttle X35. The advantages of the latter are:
Faster Processor
Completely silent fanless design
More powerful on-board graphics extends display capability to 1920x1200 pixels
Add an SSD and you've got a seriously quick, fully featured machine capable of stand-alone operation.
I partnered mine with Ubuntu 12.04 (works fine with Mint, too) and I get accelerated graphics courtesy of an Intel driver, snappy response and ultra-low power consumption.
Yes, I must concede that it costs more than the Samsung - especially if you opt for a decent SSD - but it's so worth it.
This Samsung mess has just got to be prompted by the desire to poke Apple in the eye, as opposed to real consumer demand...
Alternatively...
For fifty quid less than the reviewed Samsung's RRP, you could have one of these little cuties, with a similar footprint, OS-free from Novatech in Portsmouth and put (K)Ubuntu (or Win XP or pretty much whatever you like) on it.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/range/nboxhd.html
Like any super-small PC, there are compromises. But all-in-all it's a pretty useful little box, IMHO. It has 500GB HD, 4GB RAM, dual core AMD processor, HDMI c/w full 1080p video. And you're not condemned to working around a crap, still-born OS that ties you to the internet.
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