Acer Chromebox CXI3

Updated on January 11, 2026

Note: The Acer Chromebox CXI3 has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase new. This page remains as a reference for existing owners and those considering used units. Chrome OS updates will continue until June 2028.

The Acer Chromebox CXI3 brought desktop Chrome OS to users who wanted a compact, affordable alternative to traditional Windows PCs. Launched in 2018, this Chromebox offered a range of configurations from budget Celeron models to more capable Core i5 and i7 variants, all packed into a surprisingly small 5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6-inch chassis. While the CXI3 is no longer manufactured, it remains a solid option on the used market for basic computing, home server projects, or digital signage applications.

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Acer Chromebox CXI3 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebox CXI3	Acer Chromebox CXI3	Acer Chromebox CXI3	Acer Chromebox CXI3
Price	List Price: $249.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $569.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $749.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $439.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	CXI3-4GKM / DT.Z0NAA.001	CXI3-I58GKM / DT.Z0SAA.001	CXI3-I716GKM / DT.Z0TAA.001	CXI3-I38GKM2 / DT.Z0UAA.001
Perfomance Rating	2.6	4.0	4.9	4.0
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.80 Ghz Intel Celeron 3865U	Dual-core 1.80 Ghz Intel Celeron 3865U	Dual-core 1.80 Ghz Intel Celeron 3865U	Dual-core 1.80 Ghz Intel Celeron 3865U
RAM	4 GB	8 GB	16 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB SSD	64 GB SSD	64 GB SSD	64 GB SSD
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	5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches (147.32 x 149.86 x 40.64 mm)	5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches (147.32 x 149.86 x 40.64 mm)	5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches (147.32 x 149.86 x 40.64 mm)	5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches (147.32 x 149.86 x 40.64 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	4.2 + LE	4.2 + LE	4.2 + LE	4.2 + LE
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	2 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C	2 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C	2 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C	2 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
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	June, 2028	June, 2028	June, 2028	June, 2028

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebox CXI3

The Chromebox CXI3’s design prioritizes flexibility over flashiness. The compact plastic enclosure can sit on a desk, mount behind a monitor using the included VESA bracket, or be tucked away in a corner. At just 1.2 pounds, it’s light enough to attach to most displays without stress. The build quality is functional rather than premium—Acer clearly optimized for cost and utility. The unit runs cool and quiet, with reviewers at Android Authority noting the near-silent operation during typical use.

Connectivity is a strong suit for a device of this size. The CXI3 provides five USB 3.0 ports (two on the front, three on the rear), one USB-C port, full-size HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and a microSD card slot. This port selection covers most desktop use cases without requiring adapters. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 handle wireless duties adequately, though the lack of Wi-Fi 6 shows the device’s age. The HDMI 1.4b port limits 4K output to 30Hz, which is fine for productivity but less ideal for media consumption.

Performance varies significantly by configuration. The base model with Intel Celeron 3865U and 4GB RAM handles web browsing, Google Workspace applications, and Android apps from the Play Store without drama. Corbin Davenport at Android Police tested the Core i5-8250U model with 20+ Chrome tabs and multiple web apps running simultaneously without noticing any slowdowns. Android Authority’s benchmarks showed the Core i5 variant scoring 4,393 on Geekbench single-core and 11,155 on multi-core—competitive numbers for Chrome OS workloads at the time. The ample port selection and processing power also made higher-spec models suitable for music production on Chrome OS using web-based DAWs. The dual RAM slots and M.2 storage slot allow for upgrades, which has made the CXI3 popular with hobbyists who repurpose them as Linux servers or home automation hubs.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebox CXI3

Hardware Haven’s Perspective

Hardware Haven explored the CXI3’s potential beyond Chrome OS, flashing custom UEFI firmware to run Linux and Windows. Their testing revealed remarkable power efficiency, with the unit idling at just 1.5 watts—“getting into sub-Raspberry Pi territory,” as they put it. They successfully deployed the Chromebox as a Proxmox virtualization server, Jellyfin media server, and even a Minecraft game server after installing Linux. “This little mini PC really surprised me, especially because it’s not really a normal mini PC, it’s actually a Chromebox,” they noted, ultimately concluding that for less than $40 on the used market, it’s absolutely worth considering for server projects.

The Breakdown With Luke’s Perspective

The Breakdown With Luke approached the CXI3 from a typical consumer perspective, highlighting its appeal for seniors, students, and anyone seeking a low-maintenance desktop. “It’s a plastic, basic, cheap computer, which is perfect,” he explained, emphasizing Chrome OS’s simplicity and security benefits. He praised the included accessories—keyboard, mouse, VESA mount, and vertical stand—as adding genuine value to the package. His recommendation was straightforward: “Two huge thumbs up, really do like it.”

Tom’s Guide Review

Tom’s Guide awarded the CXI3 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “the best Chrome desktop yet.” They highlighted the compact design that can be mounted or stashed out of sight, the generous port selection, and excellent performance relative to Chrome OS expectations. Their main criticisms centered on the inherent limitations of Chrome OS as a platform and the relatively high original price point, particularly for the Core i5 and i7 configurations.

Android Police Review

Android Police described the CXI3 as “probably the best Chrome OS desktop you can buy—even if it’s a little pricey.” Corbin Davenport noted that the Core i5 model “handles all of that just fine—I never noticed a slowdown” when pushing it with heavy multitasking. The comprehensive connectivity and VESA mounting option impressed him, though the $520 MSRP for the Core i5 variant felt expensive for a Chrome OS device at the time.

Android Authority Review

Android Authority recommended the CXI3 as a Windows replacement, noting it was “zippy and highly responsive” with “plenty of power under its hood.” They praised the silent operation, extensive connectivity options, fast SSD storage, and absence of bloatware. However, they cautioned that Android app compatibility remained inconsistent on Chrome OS, and gaming support varied significantly by title.

The consensus across reviews paints the CXI3 as a capable, versatile Chromebox that delivered good value for users who understood Chrome OS’s strengths and limitations. Reviewers consistently praised the performance, port selection, and compact form factor while noting that the higher-spec models pushed into price territory where platform limitations became more significant drawbacks.

Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebox CXI3

Amazon customer feedback for the CXI3 generally reflected the professional review consensus. Users praised the quiet operation, fast boot times, and reliable Chrome OS experience for everyday tasks. The included peripherals received mixed reactions—functional but not exceptional quality. Many customers appreciated the VESA mounting kit for creating clean, monitor-mounted setups.

Common complaints centered on expectations rather than hardware defects. Some buyers expecting a full Windows replacement were disappointed by Chrome OS limitations, particularly around professional software and offline functionality. Others noted that the base Celeron model with 4GB RAM showed strain with heavy multitasking—a fair criticism given Chrome’s memory appetite. The lack of a webcam and microphone meant video conferencing required external accessories.

A recurring theme in customer reviews was the CXI3’s value on the secondary market. Users who purchased refurbished or used units consistently reported excellent experiences, with many repurposing them for digital signage, kiosk applications, or as low-power home servers. The hardware’s upgradeability—particularly the dual RAM slots and M.2 storage—made it attractive for buyers willing to add their own memory and storage upgrades.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebox CXI3 represented Chrome OS desktop computing at its most practical. While no longer in production, it remains relevant for users seeking affordable, compact computing for web-centric workflows. The base Celeron model suits light use cases like web browsing, streaming, and basic productivity, while the Core i5 and i7 variants handled more demanding multitasking scenarios. With Chrome OS updates continuing until June 2028, existing units still have functional life ahead of them.

For those considering a used CXI3, the value proposition is compelling. The Hardware Haven team demonstrated that these units can be purchased for under $40 and repurposed as remarkably efficient home servers drawing just 1.5 watts at idle. Even running stock Chrome OS, the CXI3 delivers a capable, maintenance-free computing experience for users whose needs align with what the platform offers. The port selection, upgradeability, and compact form factor make it a versatile choice for secondary computers, media players, or dedicated-purpose applications.