ASUS Chromebit CS10 - your entry to computing in the Cloud
What is it?
The ASUS Chromebit CS10 is a candy-bar-sized Chrome OS device that turns any HDMI monitor or TV into a computer - in simple terms it is a "PC on a stick". Inside you will find a Rockchip Quad-Core RK3288C Processor, ARM® Mali™-T764 GPU, 2 GB RAM, 16GB eMMC memory for storage, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi adapter, Bluetooth V4.0, 1 x HDMI Out for connection to a display and 1 x USB 2.0 for connecting a transceiver for a mouse and keyboard. A 18 W Power adapter supplies the power. It is available from local retailers at a RRP of R1999
Ease of use
Two HDMI cable options are provided. Once your Chromebit is connected to your TV/Monitor, insert the USB transceiver for your keyboard and mouse (not supplied) and connect the adapter to a power outlet. Your PC will be ready in about 10 seconds, inviting you to browse as a Guest or to register as a new user with your Google ID. The latter will open a Chrome browser with your last used tabs and connect to a Wi-Fi SSID once you have supplied the password for it. The usual array of Google apps are available and 100GB of Google Cloud storage is provided for user data. Simplicity is the name of the game - there is a "Power Off" in Chrome OS but no On/Off switch on the device - just touch the mouse or keyboard and it continues where you last left off
The Good
It is an affordable and easy to use basic form of computing that does not require licensing or complicated setups. Since the device itself has limited storage, you are unlikely to find yourself losing valuable personal data if the device is damaged, lost or stolen
The Bad
The number of ports are limited. Once the single USB port is used for a keyboard and mouse and unless you deploy a USB hub, you will have to rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for all other devices such as speakers (when not using a TV), cameras and external storage. Having said that, once I did connect a USB hub, I could access files on my USB drives, upload pictures from my digital camera, read (Micro)SD cards and mount large capacity external drives. Using Bluetooth for the keyboard and mouse and having the USB port spare is a cleaner but more expensive option
My biggest concern using the Chromebit is Chrome OS - the device suffers from inherent restrictions imposed by the Chrome platform, for example
• Printing from Chrome OS is a complicated affair - it is done through the Google Cloud Print service. If your printer is Cloud Print ready, you are in luck, if not, you will have to use another PC or MAC to connect it to before you can print from Chrome OS
• There is limited off-line processing - you can browse local storage, but unless you're prepared to download special off-line apps and tinker with settings, an internet connection is essential for you to start writing a mail or check your diary, meaning you must rely on public Wi-Fi hot spots or provide your own through some other device, probably a mobile phone. The South African reality of expensive mobile data can be a limiting factor in its usage
• Limited file compatibility - please check at https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183093?hl=en&source=genius-rts Commonly used picture and audio formats are fine, including camera raw files. Video files from YouTube, as well as those recorded by digital cameras and mobile phones, played without issue. Some video formats require the installation of VLC media player from the Chrome Web Store, but not all codecs and file formats are supported
Performance
Fast booting from cold (10 sec) and quickly resuming from a suspended state (3 sec) are the most appealing features of the Chromebit. In back to back comparisons with a high spec Android tablet and a modern desktop, also using Chrome as a browser and connected to the same 802.11ac access point, the Chromebit managed to be slightly faster than the Tablet, but slower than the desktop, in loading and browsing through web pages with hundreds of image files (4 sec for Chromebit, 3 sec for desktop). Transition between images in the user's Photo Library on Google was virtually instantaneous, and slightly quicker on the Chromebit in fully resolving the pixels, than on the Tablet. If email, web browsing and displaying .jpg images is what you are after, then all the Chromebit needs is a good internet connection. A quick check using a 802.11n access point did not appear to slow things down as the Wi-Fi link speed is still miles higher than the actual ADSL connection
Wi-Fi Performance
The built-in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac adapter struggles to do its job when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Access to an 802.11ac SSID in the same room was at a link speed of 867 Mbps, but for the 802.11n SSID it was only at 144 Mbps, whilst a mobile phone connected at 867 Mbps and 192Mbps on the same SSID's. Access to SSID's in the next room is possible as long as the signal strength is "Strong" or better. Access to SSID's much further away either failed to connect with an "Out of range" error message, or did not see the SSID at all. Other devices still managed to connect to the same SSID's, albeit at a low link speed
Software
Chrome OS and its associated applications are free to use. Whilst it is possible to open and edit MS Office files, not all formulas in Excel files are recognised, meaning the results are not updated when you edit the relevant cells. If you do need something beyond the standard set of Chrome OS applications, please familiarise yourself with the Chrome Web Store. One glaring omission in standard Chrome OS is the ability to connect to Samba shares on your local network. An extension is available in the Web Store but it is complicated and clunky to operate, compared to how easy it is to do the same in Android, iOS or Windows. My conclusion is you will be fine if you stick to the basics, but going above and beyond will require patience and expertise
Ratings
Overall 7.5/10
Ease of Use 8.0/10
Performance 7.0/10*
Support 6.5/10
Value for Money 8.5/10
*(Performance of the Chromebit is great as long as you keep it simple, otherwise you become the victim of your own optimism)
In Summary
Thin client computing has been around for many years in many different guises. The architecture has inherent advantages and limitations but can be the best solution for some usage situations - information kiosks, computers for public use and in school libraries, are obvious examples. It will, however, require a mind shift and a reliable internet connection for Chrome OS to perform the more complex tasks normally undertaken on PC's, Laptops, Smart Phones or Tablets. I am not suggesting the Chromebit should be seen as a straight PC replacement, but please do regard it as a very viable alternative for performing basic tasks normally undertaken on a PC, such as web browsing, email, checking social media and consuming digital content.
The Chromebit is an excellent example of how easy and uncomplicated computing can be with Chrome OS. If you have the usage pattern and supporting environment that this device excels in, then it is a neat and affordable solution that will reward you with its ease of use, but you will not do yourself any favours by trying to force it into situations it was not designed for
What is it?
The ASUS Chromebit CS10 is a candy-bar-sized Chrome OS device that turns any HDMI monitor or TV into a computer - in simple terms it is a "PC on a stick". Inside you will find a Rockchip Quad-Core RK3288C Processor, ARM® Mali™-T764 GPU, 2 GB RAM, 16GB eMMC memory for storage, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi adapter, Bluetooth V4.0, 1 x HDMI Out for connection to a display and 1 x USB 2.0 for connecting a transceiver for a mouse and keyboard. A 18 W Power adapter supplies the power. It is available from local retailers at a RRP of R1999
Ease of use
Two HDMI cable options are provided. Once your Chromebit is connected to your TV/Monitor, insert the USB transceiver for your keyboard and mouse (not supplied) and connect the adapter to a power outlet. Your PC will be ready in about 10 seconds, inviting you to browse as a Guest or to register as a new user with your Google ID. The latter will open a Chrome browser with your last used tabs and connect to a Wi-Fi SSID once you have supplied the password for it. The usual array of Google apps are available and 100GB of Google Cloud storage is provided for user data. Simplicity is the name of the game - there is a "Power Off" in Chrome OS but no On/Off switch on the device - just touch the mouse or keyboard and it continues where you last left off
The Good
It is an affordable and easy to use basic form of computing that does not require licensing or complicated setups. Since the device itself has limited storage, you are unlikely to find yourself losing valuable personal data if the device is damaged, lost or stolen
The Bad
The number of ports are limited. Once the single USB port is used for a keyboard and mouse and unless you deploy a USB hub, you will have to rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for all other devices such as speakers (when not using a TV), cameras and external storage. Having said that, once I did connect a USB hub, I could access files on my USB drives, upload pictures from my digital camera, read (Micro)SD cards and mount large capacity external drives. Using Bluetooth for the keyboard and mouse and having the USB port spare is a cleaner but more expensive option
My biggest concern using the Chromebit is Chrome OS - the device suffers from inherent restrictions imposed by the Chrome platform, for example
• Printing from Chrome OS is a complicated affair - it is done through the Google Cloud Print service. If your printer is Cloud Print ready, you are in luck, if not, you will have to use another PC or MAC to connect it to before you can print from Chrome OS
• There is limited off-line processing - you can browse local storage, but unless you're prepared to download special off-line apps and tinker with settings, an internet connection is essential for you to start writing a mail or check your diary, meaning you must rely on public Wi-Fi hot spots or provide your own through some other device, probably a mobile phone. The South African reality of expensive mobile data can be a limiting factor in its usage
• Limited file compatibility - please check at https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183093?hl=en&source=genius-rts Commonly used picture and audio formats are fine, including camera raw files. Video files from YouTube, as well as those recorded by digital cameras and mobile phones, played without issue. Some video formats require the installation of VLC media player from the Chrome Web Store, but not all codecs and file formats are supported
Performance
Fast booting from cold (10 sec) and quickly resuming from a suspended state (3 sec) are the most appealing features of the Chromebit. In back to back comparisons with a high spec Android tablet and a modern desktop, also using Chrome as a browser and connected to the same 802.11ac access point, the Chromebit managed to be slightly faster than the Tablet, but slower than the desktop, in loading and browsing through web pages with hundreds of image files (4 sec for Chromebit, 3 sec for desktop). Transition between images in the user's Photo Library on Google was virtually instantaneous, and slightly quicker on the Chromebit in fully resolving the pixels, than on the Tablet. If email, web browsing and displaying .jpg images is what you are after, then all the Chromebit needs is a good internet connection. A quick check using a 802.11n access point did not appear to slow things down as the Wi-Fi link speed is still miles higher than the actual ADSL connection
Wi-Fi Performance
The built-in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac adapter struggles to do its job when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Access to an 802.11ac SSID in the same room was at a link speed of 867 Mbps, but for the 802.11n SSID it was only at 144 Mbps, whilst a mobile phone connected at 867 Mbps and 192Mbps on the same SSID's. Access to SSID's in the next room is possible as long as the signal strength is "Strong" or better. Access to SSID's much further away either failed to connect with an "Out of range" error message, or did not see the SSID at all. Other devices still managed to connect to the same SSID's, albeit at a low link speed
Software
Chrome OS and its associated applications are free to use. Whilst it is possible to open and edit MS Office files, not all formulas in Excel files are recognised, meaning the results are not updated when you edit the relevant cells. If you do need something beyond the standard set of Chrome OS applications, please familiarise yourself with the Chrome Web Store. One glaring omission in standard Chrome OS is the ability to connect to Samba shares on your local network. An extension is available in the Web Store but it is complicated and clunky to operate, compared to how easy it is to do the same in Android, iOS or Windows. My conclusion is you will be fine if you stick to the basics, but going above and beyond will require patience and expertise
Ratings
Overall 7.5/10
Ease of Use 8.0/10
Performance 7.0/10*
Support 6.5/10
Value for Money 8.5/10
*(Performance of the Chromebit is great as long as you keep it simple, otherwise you become the victim of your own optimism)
In Summary
Thin client computing has been around for many years in many different guises. The architecture has inherent advantages and limitations but can be the best solution for some usage situations - information kiosks, computers for public use and in school libraries, are obvious examples. It will, however, require a mind shift and a reliable internet connection for Chrome OS to perform the more complex tasks normally undertaken on PC's, Laptops, Smart Phones or Tablets. I am not suggesting the Chromebit should be seen as a straight PC replacement, but please do regard it as a very viable alternative for performing basic tasks normally undertaken on a PC, such as web browsing, email, checking social media and consuming digital content.
The Chromebit is an excellent example of how easy and uncomplicated computing can be with Chrome OS. If you have the usage pattern and supporting environment that this device excels in, then it is a neat and affordable solution that will reward you with its ease of use, but you will not do yourself any favours by trying to force it into situations it was not designed for