Asus Chromebox-M004U Desktop Review

The Asus Chromebox is another mini computer that has caught our eye. With over 1000 reviews on Amazon, an impressive 4.5 average rating and a number one best seller status, ours aren’t the only eyes Asus is catching. So much of what users want in a mini computer is different than what a full PC user would need a few years ago. Full-time processing power is not as relevant as daily function is. We are not at all suggesting that if a user needs processing power that the Chromebox is your answer. What we are saying is that most of what we do is light-weight surfing or utilizing cloud-based apps like Google Docs. The M004U will handle that with ease and is priced right at around $150.

Asus Chromebox-M004U Specs

The processor on the M004U is small, just a 1.4 GHz Celeron. Other models are available, but for considerably more money making it difficult for us to even compare them. So, for now, we will stick with the low-end, cost-efficient model that is more comparable to other mini computers and home theater models we have reviewed. I was surprised when a co-worker of mine told me that her 10 year old daughter had to get a Chromebook to use in school as all their assignments were in Google Docs. The more I thought about it, the smarter that idea sounded. More efficient for the school and I assume all that data is able to be viewed by parents too. Really good idea. Users who review their experiences say the 1.4 GHz Celeron processor has more than enough power to handle Google Apps. One advantage the Asus M004U comes with 2 slots for RAM, so upgrading will be easier as you won’t have to toss the standard memory that comes with your box to increase your speed, just add another stick.

Web surfing and home theater streaming are the other parts of the equation when it comes to mini computers. Positive reviewers are impressed with the ease of use and functionality of the Chrome OS and most users feel the small Celeron processor handles Netflix and other video streaming very well.

Users are able to get logged in right away and start playing, the Chromebox boots up fast. Power consumption is super low. I leave my mini computer on all the time due to low power consumption. I don’t want to wait 3 to 5 minutes to start watching something like I would have to with a larger PC.

However, there are some complaints. Whenever you have a thousand reviews on anything, you will get the normal hardware or software issues facing a computer product. Not EVERYONE loves the Chrome OS. That stands to reason. Not everyone loves anything.  However, if you are used to specific programs or Android apps, you won’t be able to use them or choose another browser other than Chrome. The Chrome OS is basically only for use with the Web and with no Android apps available you will be limited to Chrome extensions and other Web-based apps. Also, a decent number of unhappy users report a lack of printing capability and WiFi issues. While worth noting, these issues aren’t wide spread.

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Conclusion The Asus M004U desktop won’t be the choice for everyone mini computer value shopper, but it is near the top of the list. Quick start-up times and the ability to handle Google Docs and streaming video make it a nice choice for users that wouldn’t necessarily need Android apps.