ASUS Chromebox - Server or HTPC

[wewantutopia]

Just saw this: http://chromespot.com/2014/02/04/asus-chromebox/ (http://chromespot.com/2014/02/04/asus-chromebox/) due out in March.

Pretty nice specs starting at $179. With Ubuntu it could be a pretty sweet HTPC, server, etc. Heck, even a pretty nice desktop!

[lykwydchykyn]

Looks neat, kind of light on storage though.

[wewantutopia]

True. Nothing a portable (usb powered) external hard drive can't fix. It has an SD card slot to. I'm considering one to replace an old laptop I'm using as a home file server.

[atlantis2]

Those boxes look pretty cool, I wonder how well of a server they'd make for colocation?
Is anyone here going to get one and test Ubuntu Server?
If so please share your results.

Edited to say you can change the storage to something better (faster/larger) so no external storage required. Of course that means the price goes up.
I wonder at what point a mac mini would be a better option than this?

[irv]

My wife has used a Chromebook for about 2 years now, and she likes it. This box comes with Chrome OS which is not a good choice for a server. I am not sure you could install another OS on it. This is just my opinion.

[bookrt]

From what I have read, installing Ubuntu on a Chromebook is possible but way more complicated than a Windows PC. Not sure about Chromebox. Either way, make sure you are up to it before you pull the trigger. (Chromebooks are down to $150, by the way, a great deal for their specs).

[irv]

These little boxes are good for a settop box. you could replace your Roku, add a cordless mouse and keyboard and have a big screen PC in the comfort of your livingroom..

[craig14]

I have just received my chromebox and am in the process of downloading ubuntu. Feel free to ask me any questions about it. I will post my experience and may ask some questions along the way.

[irv]

Yes, Keep us posted on on things go. I was just reading on this link: http://lifehacker.com/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook-and-unlock-its-ful-509039343 About chrombooks and Ubuntu.

[craig14]

I have not forgotten about my project. I tried an openelec and ubuntu boot USB and SD card with no luck. I then read http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromiumos-design-docs/disk-format and realized why I could not boot off of them. I am hoping to have some success on the weekend. Once I do I will add to the post.

[anewbie]

I installed one of these with ubuntu 14.04.1 (not dual boot - i completely removed chromeos) and all works fine 'cept wake from suspend. I cannot get it to wake via usb device; I have to hit the power button. The actual process of installing was very smooth using the xmbc scripts.



I have not forgotten about my project. I tried an openelec and ubuntu boot USB and SD card with no luck. I then read http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromiumos-design-docs/disk-format and realized why I could not boot off of them. I am hoping to have some success on the weekend. Once I do I will add to the post.