HP's updated Chromebook adds optional 3G, and not much else
The "new" Chromebook is available in two new colors, and offers optional 3G connectivity. And there's a new Chromebox desktop, too.
HP has updated its Chromebook PC, offering two new colors to choose. But it's otherwise largely identical to the model it replaces.
Barring the colors, of course. The current Chromebook 11 is available in black, or white with your choice of one of four accents. This updated model is available in Snow White or Ocean Turquoise. Its 11.6-inch display is powered by the same Samsung Exynos 5250 processor, and it has the same middle-of-the-road 2GB and 16GB of storage space -- you're expected to rely on Google Drive and the cloud for your storage needs.
Curiously, the Chromebook has actually put on a little weight: 2.69 pounds and 20.5mm thick, versus its predecessor's 2.3 pounds and 17.6mm. The answer is presumably in its newfound support for 3G, an optional extra -- there was an LTE variant of the previous Chromebook 11, but there's no mention of that option yet. The estimated battery life for active use remains at up to 6 hours, and you can still charge the device by way of a simple Micro-USB cable.
All this can be yours, starting at a mere $249. Even with that low price tag it's not a very compelling package, especially given our relatively tepid reception of the last attempt . But if you're thoroughly enmeshed in Google's ecosystem and want to get a keyboard-equipped machine without spending very much, this option remains open. A better option would be the Acer Chromebook C720P, which offers twice as much storage, USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, and a touchscreen all for $299.
HP is also releasing it's own take on the Chromebox -- not to be confused with the Samsung Chromebox or the Asus Chromebox . These diminutive desktops run ChromeOS and generally don't pack much in the way of amenities -- the HP Chromebox offers DisplayPort and HDMI jacks, as well as Bluetooth, and four USB 3.0 ports -- all powered by Intel Haswell CPUs.