What is a Chromebase?

You may have heard of Chromebook and chrome browser, but what can maybe throw you off the edge is a chromebase. All these terms sound so confusing, yet the only thing you could probably garner from this is that it has something to do with Google since it involves the word ‘chrome.’

You would be familiar with how Chrome is among the top browser extensions people opt for because of its speed and optimization. Google has many electronic and web-based products, yet it has come out with another electronic product known as a Chromebase.

Now, you may be wondering what a Chromebase is.

Google’s Chromebase

Well, a Chromebase is designed exclusively to make the experience of having meetings more accessible through an all-in-one touchscreen video conferencing device. The Chromebase is tailor-made for custom or very small workspaces with only have up to 2 people. So usually, according to Google’s notice, it is a 24-inch screen-size screen monitor (which does come with a keyboard and a mouse, but that is optional). The screen monitor will have a built-in adjustable video camera for video conferencing, two speakers for sound clarity, and four microphones.

How to Set Up Google Chromebase?

So, this section is for those who are wondering how Google’s Chromebase is set up. You simply have to plug in your Chromebase device so that you can enrol Chromebase for meetings through the onscreen wizard.

Step 1: Turn On and Enroll Your Chromebase Device

First, turn on your Chromebase and make sure that you check for language, time zone, network, and keyboard layout. Then you can click on ‘Continue’ and accept the Terms and Conditions. If you have a Google Workspace email address, now is the time to use it to sign in. After which, the enrollment process will begin.

Now, you may be wondering what enrollment is in this case. Enrollment here refers to adding the electronic device to your organization’s domain name. This step enables you to schedule video meetings between different devices while adding additional people to the meeting. The enrollment process will become easy if you are using a USB keyboard to quickly enter information regarding enrollment.

Step 2: Verify with Google Admin Console or Google Workspace

You don’t have to worry about the calendar’s integration or how the device will be managed because that all occurs from the Google Admin Console. The Google Admin Console is the one that provides the administrators with one point of control. But if this isn’t present, you can assign a calendar or room yourself to multiple devices.

For organizations that do not use Google Workspace, you as an individual can complete the instructions that would be given to you in a ‘Welcome Email’ to verify the organization’s name. You can expect to receive the hardware before the ‘Welcome Email’ arrives at you. However, do not enroll the Chromebase device until and unless you have carried out all the steps in the Welcome Email.

Step 3: Start Scheduling and Joining Meetings

After the set-up is complete and you have enrolled the Google Chromebase device, the people in your organization or workspace can quickly join or create meetings using Google Calendar. This streamlines the process because reminders from Google Calendar will be available on your phone for Android users and even on your Gmail address.

But before you even allow others to join or create meetings, make sure that the organization for whom this entire set-up is being performed has a verified Google Admin account and that your domain is verified.

Now that we are all caught up on how this device can be set up, let’s look at some of its features.

Features of Google’s Chromebase

Here are the features for Google Chromebase that is designed for meetings and video conferences:

• A ChromeOS
• An Intel Processor
• 4GB Ram
• 1 Megapixel of HD Video Camera
• 4 Microphones for an optimal sound processing
• It comes with an SD Card reader
• 5mm audio jack for earphones or handsfree
• Headset/speaker jack
• HDMI-out port
• LAN port
• 1 USB 2.0 port
• 3 USB 3.0 ports
• Wireless WLAN
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE connection
• 24-inch backlit LED touchscreen
• 1920×1080 HD screen resolution
• 2 built-in stereo speakers
• Re-set button
• Kensington lock
• Vesa mounting interface
• Adjustable camera

The device has features that will enable you to have a smooth audio and video meeting experience, which is much needed during Covid-19 when everything has become virtual-based, and employees are working from home.

Why Should You Get a Chromebase?

When you hear the term ‘Chromebase,’ you may think of a Chrome operating system. Like the Chromebook, the Chromebase is also a type of computer, except here everything is integrated. So integration here means that the computer and the display are coming as one single device. This is one of the understated items, and you may not have heard of it when looking into Chrome OS.

The Chromebase, like a Chromebook, is versatile, and it can easily be connected with your Gmail, Google Workspace Email, Google Notes, and your Google Calendar syncing everything together. The great thing about a Chromebase by Lenovo (Amazon ASIN #B089N4K38B) is that it takes up very little space on the desktop computer. This is an excellent option for those whole love a minimalist aesthetic for their desktops.

So, for those who want a desktop computer but are not looking into getting their own external display, then a Chromebase is a perfect option for them to try.

Our Final Thoughts

Initially, Chromebase used to look pretty tacky and was not a popular option to buy because if its computer or display had issues, the entire device would not work. But, the recent launches of Chromebase devices by tech brands like Google, Acer, and Lenovo have given a completely new look to the 24-inch screen monitor making it a favorite among the minimalists.