Samsung on Wednesday took the wraps off of its new Series 3 Chromebox for 2013. The device is a lot like a Mac Mini and is just a small box that you hook up to your own monitor and own peripherals. The 2013 Chromebox features a revised design with a white coating of plastic on it, moving away from the Mac Mini-like black aluminum look. On top is the Samsung logo, as well as the Chrome logo. On the front of the box is the power button, two USB ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The back houses four more USB 2.0 ports, a DVI port, 2 Display Ports, an Ethernet port, and the power plug.
In terms of specifications, they have not changed one bit from the 2012 model introduced at Google I/O. The Chromebox is powered by a 1.9GHz Intel Celeron B840 processor, Intel HD graphics, and 4GB of RAM. Full specs include:
- Processor: Intel Celeron Processor B840
- Operating System: Chrome OS
- CPU: Intel Celeron B840
- LCD: None
- MEMORY: 4GB (DDR3 1333MHz/2G*2)
- Hard Drive: 16GB SSD
- Wired: 1GB LAN
- Wireless: 802.11 abg/n (2—2) + BT 3.0
- Color: White
- Product Dimensions (W x D x H): 7.5″ x 7.5″ x 1.28″
- Product Weight (lb.): 2.64 lbs.
Even though it features the same specs as the 2012 model, don’t expect the 2013 Series 3 Chromebox to be a slouch in the performance department. Chrome O.S. is a very lightweight operating system and doesn’t require top-of-the-line specs to run smoothly.
Samsung focuses on the insanely quick boot up and resume time of the box, claiming it will power up in less than 10 seconds and resume from sleep in 1 second.
The Series 3 Chromebox is available now in the UK, but U.S. availability remains a mystery. If you aren’t that concerned with the new coat of plastic though, you can get the 2012 model for $315 on Amazon. Samsung is expected to show the device off in more detail at CES 2013.