Asus
Chromebit
It’s a product from Asus priced at US$ 85
offering you a full fledged Operating System running within a Pen drive-sized
package allowing you to convert your normal Monitor into a computer. Dubbed as
the Chromebit that was unveiled in March this year, its on the line up of
Chromecast, Chromebook & Chromebox.
Based on the name, we
can expect this to be the smallest product in the above-mentioned series that’s
a small stick plugged in with the built-in HDMI to your monitor or a TV. Just
needs an additional power plug to power it & a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse
for controlling the same. The dongle is not just limited to the Google Play
Store but would also be available on Newegg, Amazon & Fry’s with the
availability not just limited to the US but also would be available in
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden,
Taiwan and the UK.
This product makes
sense only when you can find spare monitors while travelling or during business
meetings that are hard to find. A better product would be the Surface Dock from
Microsoft that was recently launched with the 950XL & is also bundled with
the retail package for free. This is because at least you can expand the
display of your phone into a larger one with the apps & private information
available to access, unlike the Chromebit that also needs a separate power
supply.
Overall it is a good
product if you wish to have a mini computer in your living room where you could
browse the web easily though that would also need you to spend on the keyboard
and the wireless mouse. That said, at this price point & the limited
features set we think it’s something not everyone can throw their money at,
since the Chromecast is more relevant to your home, while a Chromebook can
fulfil your travel needs but the Chromebit is something that should stay at the
store & the product you should be avoiding.
