Acer Chromebox CXI3

Updated on June 4, 2026

Note on availability: The Acer Chromebox CXI3 is still a supported ChromeOS device through its Auto Update Expiration date of June 2028 per Google’s official AUE schedule. New-stock retail availability has tapered: as of mid-2026 the only Amazon US listing for the CXI3 is a Renewed (refurbished) unit, so most readers picking one up today will be buying secondhand or fleet-pull stock rather than a fresh-from-the-box retail purchase.

The Acer Chromebox CXI3 brought desktop ChromeOS to users who wanted a compact, affordable alternative to traditional Windows PCs. Launched in 2018, this Chromebox shipped in a range of configurations from a budget Celeron model to more capable Core i3, i5, and i7 variants, all packed into a 5.8 x 5.9 x 1.6-inch chassis. Google’s AUE schedule still lists the CXI3 (and its enterprise twin) as receiving ChromeOS updates through June 2028, which keeps the device in scope for fleet refurbishers, digital-signage deployments, and owners running it as a daily-driver desktop or as a low-power home server.

Pros and Cons of the Acer Chromebox CXI3

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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
Performance Rating	2.6	6.0	6.9	4.9
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.80 Ghz Intel Celeron 3865U	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i5-8250U	Quad-core 1.80 Ghz (max 4.00 Ghz) Intel Core i7-8550U	Dual-core 2.20 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i3-8130U
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 around 20 Chrome tabs and multiple web apps running simultaneously, and his review reports that “the CXI3 handles all of that just fine, I never noticed a slowdown.” Android Authority’s benchmarks of the same Core i5 variant scored 4,393 on Geekbench single-core and 11,155 on multi-core, competitive numbers for ChromeOS workloads. 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 household perspective: a parent setting up a basic ChromeOS desktop for someone else in the family. His unit shipped with a keyboard, a mouse, the VESA bracket, and a vertical stand. On the chassis itself he frames it bluntly: “is it a high-end apple computer no it’s a plastic basic cheap computer which is perfect.” His sign-off is direct: “two huge thumbs up really do like it for the prices is excellent.”

Tom’s Guide Review

Tom’s Guide gave the CXI3 their Editor’s Choice award and headlined the review “The best Chrome desktop yet.” The Pros list in that review reads “Compact design can be mounted or stashed out of sight,” “Includes plenty of ports,” “Has excellent performance,” and “Runs cool”; the Cons list is “Limitations of Chrome OS” and “High price.” Their main criticisms centered on the inherent limitations of ChromeOS 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, with no noticeable slowdown” when pushing it with heavy multitasking. The comprehensive connectivity and VESA mounting option impressed him, though the $519 MSRP for the Core i5 variant felt expensive for a ChromeOS 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.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebox CXI3 represents ChromeOS desktop computing at its most practical. The base Celeron model suits light use cases like web browsing, streaming, and basic productivity, while the Core i5 and i7 variants handle more demanding multitasking scenarios. With ChromeOS updates continuing until June 2028, the CXI3 still has two more years of supported life ahead, which is more than enough runway for a school IT department running it as a kiosk endpoint, a digital-signage deployment, or a household replacement for a creaking older Windows desktop.

For those buying a used CXI3 in 2026, the value proposition is compelling on the second-hand market. The Hardware Haven team demonstrated that fleet-pull units can be picked up for around the price of a new mid-range single-board computer and repurposed as remarkably efficient home servers drawing just 1.5 watts at idle once Proxmox or another mainline Linux distribution is flashed onto the device. Even running stock ChromeOS, the CXI3 delivers a capable, maintenance-free computing experience for users whose needs align with what the platform offers. The port selection, upgradeability through the dual RAM slots and M.2 storage, and compact form factor make it a versatile choice for secondary computers, media players, or dedicated-purpose applications.

For those weighing other ChromeOS options alongside it, the Chromebook Comparison Chart lets you filter and sort the full catalog by specs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Acer Chromebox CXI3 still supported by Google?

Yes. The CXI3 (and its enterprise-branded twin) is on Google’s official Auto Update Expiration schedule with an AUE date of June 2028, so it continues to receive ChromeOS feature updates and security patches through that date.

Can I still buy the Acer Chromebox CXI3 new?

New retail stock is hard to find. As of mid-2026, the only Amazon US listing for the CXI3 is a Renewed (refurbished) unit. Most buyers picking one up today will be getting fleet-pull, refurbished, or used inventory rather than a new-in-box retail purchase. If you want a brand-new ChromeOS desktop, look at Acer’s newer CXI4 successor or comparable current Chromeboxes.

Can I upgrade the RAM and storage on the CXI3?

Yes. The CXI3 has two SO-DIMM RAM slots and an M.2 storage slot, both user-accessible after removing the bottom panel. Upgrading RAM and swapping in a larger NVMe SSD is one of the reasons hobbyists buy these units cheaply on the second-hand market.

Does the Acer Chromebox CXI3 include a keyboard and mouse?

Yes. The Breakdown With Luke’s review unit and Tom’s Guide’s review confirm the CXI3 ships with a keyboard, a mouse, a vertical-orientation stand, and a VESA mount for attaching it to the back of a monitor.

Can the Acer Chromebox CXI3 run Linux or Windows?

The CXI3 ships running ChromeOS and supports the built-in Linux (Crostini) container for running standard Linux applications. For full Linux distributions like Proxmox or for Windows, the device’s firmware can be replaced via the Mr Chromebox script, as the Hardware Haven video on this page demonstrates with a Proxmox install. Doing so voids the warranty and is hobbyist territory rather than a supported path.