Acer Chromebox

Updated on January 11, 2026

This product has been discontinued. The Acer Chromebox CXI reached its Chrome OS Auto Update Expiration in September 2019 and no longer receives security updates. This page is maintained for historical reference. Consider newer Chromebox options on the comparison chart for current purchases.

The Acer Chromebox CXI represented one of the earliest and most affordable entries into the Chrome OS desktop market when it launched in 2014. Powered by an Intel Celeron 2957U processor and starting at just $179, this compact desktop turned any monitor or HDTV into a capable cloud-based computer. With its complete package including keyboard, mouse, and VESA mounting bracket, the Chromebox CXI earned praise from reviewers for its excellent value proposition and surprisingly capable performance for basic computing tasks. TechRadar awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “a wonderfully affordable way of turning any monitor or HDTV into a capable computer.”

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Acer Chromebox Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebox	Acer Chromebox	Acer Chromebox	Acer Chromebox
Price	List Price: $349.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $179.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $219.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $399.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	CXI-i34GKM / DT.Z07AA.001	CXI2-2GKM / DT.Z09AA.003	CXI2-4GKM / DT.Z09AA.003	CXI2-I38GKM / DT.Z0AAA.003
Perfomance Rating	2.7	2.2	2.7	4.0
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.50 Ghz Intel Celeron 3205U	Dual-core 1.50 Ghz Intel Celeron 3205U	Dual-core 1.50 Ghz Intel Celeron 3205U	Dual-core 1.50 Ghz Intel Celeron 3205U
RAM	4 GB	2 GB	4 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB SSD (upgradable)	16 GB SSD (upgradable)	16 GB SSD (upgradable)	16 GB SSD (upgradable)
Screen Size	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen
Screen Resolution	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen
Screen Type	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen	No Screen
Touch Screen	No	No	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	5.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches (129.54 x 165.1 x 33.02 mm)	5.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches (129.54 x 165.1 x 33.02 mm)	5.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches (129.54 x 165.1 x 33.02 mm)	5.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches (129.54 x 165.1 x 33.02 mm)
Weight	1.2 lbs (0.55 kg)	1.2 lbs (0.55 kg)	1.2 lbs (0.55 kg)	1.2 lbs (0.55 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No	No
Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam	No Webcam
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n/ac	802.11 b/g/n/ac	802.11 b/g/n/ac	802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 4.0
Ethernet	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cellular Modem	No	No	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	4 USB 3	4 USB 3	4 USB 3	4 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD	SD
Battery	No Battery	No Battery	No Battery	No Battery
Battery Life	0.0 hours	0.0 hours	0.0 hours	0.0 hours
Fanless	No	No	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	September, 2019	September, 2019	September, 2019	September, 2019

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebox CXI

The Acer Chromebox CXI’s design emphasized compactness and versatility above all else. Measuring just 5.1 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches and weighing only 1.2 pounds, the diamond-textured plastic enclosure could sit on a desk, attach to the back of a monitor using the included VESA mount, or stand vertically with the bundled stand. Acer included a TPM 1.2 security chip for enterprise and education deployments, along with verified boot and separate storage partitions that made it an attractive option for government agencies and schools requiring secure, low-maintenance workstations. The build quality impressed reviewers who expected less from such an affordable device.

Connectivity options were generous for a device in this price range. Four USB 3.0 ports provided ample expansion, split between two on the front and two on the rear. Video output came through both HDMI and DisplayPort, enabling dual-monitor setups that reviewers confirmed worked reliably at 1920x1200 resolution. Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a full-size SD card reader rounded out the port selection. The main criticism was the rear placement of the headphone jack, which proved inconvenient for desktop use.

Performance surprised reviewers given the modest specifications. The Intel Celeron 2957U processor, part of Intel’s Haswell generation running at 1.4GHz, delivered benchmark scores around 11,987 on Octane 2.0 according to Lon.TV’s testing. TechRadar’s testing found the 4GB RAM model could handle 30 Chrome tabs across three browser windows while simultaneously streaming Google Play Music and editing images without slowdowns. However, the device struggled with 4K video playback, which was an emerging use case at the time and clearly beyond the Celeron’s capabilities.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebox CXI

Lon Seidman’s Perspective

Lon Seidman from Lon.TV provided one of the most detailed technical reviews of the Acer Chromebox CXI, comparing it directly against competing models from HP and ASUS. He found the Haswell-based Celeron processor “actually pretty powerful” for Chrome OS tasks, noting fast boot times and responsive web browsing. His Octane benchmark testing yielded a score of 11,987, which he considered strong for the price point. However, Lon issued a significant warning about serviceability: “It was really hard to get the case off of it.” Unlike the HP and ASUS competitors which allowed easy access to RAM and storage, the Acer required removing the motherboard to reach the memory slots, and the write-protect screw was buried under the heatsink. For users simply wanting a capable Chrome OS desktop without modification, Lon concluded it represented “a good value Chromebox.”

Mike Elgan’s Perspective

Mike Elgan on TWiT’s Hands-On Tech evaluated the Chromebox CXI from a value and use-case perspective. He praised the build quality as “not flimsy” and appreciated the generous port selection, declaring “This is a good product right here. It has tons of ports.” However, Elgan was notably critical of the bundled peripherals: “This is a really horrible keyboard. This is a terrible, terrible keyboard.” Despite this flaw, he recommended the Chromebox as an ideal solution for less tech-savvy relatives or as a secondary computer, noting that the easy Powerwash factory reset made it simple to recover from any problems. His conclusion: “Give Chromebox a chance.”

TechRadar’s Review

TechRadar’s Kevin Lee awarded the Chromebox CXI 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its “extremely petite design” and “surprisingly great performance.” His testing pushed the device harder than most reviewers, running 30 tabs, streaming music, and editing images simultaneously without issues. He particularly appreciated the diamond-textured exterior as a refreshing departure from typical plain plastic enclosures. The main criticisms were the loud fan in quiet environments and the inconvenient rear placement of the power connector and headphone jack. For $219, he called it “a major bargain compared to building your own mini computer.”

FedTech Magazine’s Government Perspective

Dr. Jeffrey Sheen writing for FedTech Magazine evaluated the Chromebox CXI specifically for government agency deployment. He highlighted the remarkable deployment speed: “Users can be on Google docs five minutes after opening the box, including time needed to connect cables and find the office’s Wi-Fi password.” The security features including TPM 1.2, verified boot, and Kensington lock support made it attractive for federal environments. The only limitation he noted was the lack of VGA output for legacy monitors, with connectivity limited to HDMI and DisplayPort.

Historical Customer Reception

When it was actively sold, the Acer Chromebox CXI earned generally positive customer feedback on Amazon and other retailers. Customers consistently praised the complete package value, receiving not just the Chromebox but also a keyboard, mouse, VESA mount, and vertical stand for under $220 in most configurations. The quick setup time and automatic Chrome OS updates earned appreciation from users seeking low-maintenance computing. The most common complaints echoed reviewer concerns: the poor quality bundled keyboard led many buyers to immediately replace it, and the 16GB internal storage required reliance on cloud storage and SD cards for users with larger file needs. The 2GB RAM base model drew criticism for occasional slowdowns, with most customers recommending the 4GB version for smoother operation.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebox CXI served its purpose admirably as an affordable entry point into Chrome OS desktop computing. For users in 2014-2015 who needed a simple, secure, and maintenance-free computer for web browsing, email, and cloud-based productivity, it delivered excellent value at a price point that undercut traditional Windows desktops significantly. The included accessories, strong port selection, and VESA mounting flexibility made it particularly attractive for office deployments, digital signage, or as a dedicated living room PC. While the difficult upgradability, poor bundled keyboard, and eventual 4K limitations constrained its appeal for power users and tinkerers, the Chromebox CXI earned its positive reviews by focusing on what most users actually needed from a Chrome OS desktop. It paved the way for successive generations of Acer Chromeboxes that continue to offer the same value-focused approach with modern specifications.