HP Chromebase All-in-One 22
MSRP $840.00
“The HP Chromebase 22 All-In-One makes a surprisingly strong case for a ChromeOS desktop.”
Pros
- Unique, sleek design
- Great-sounding speakers
- Highlights versatility of ChromeOS
- High-resolution webcam with privacy slider
- Solid performance
Cons
- The screen doesn’t feel sharp
- Ports are inconvenient
- The included keyboard, mouse are cheap-feeling
Once you hear ChromeOS, an all-in-one PC might be not what you think that of.
This kind of desktop form factor is normally reserved for iMacs and Windows systems, but HP’s recent Chromebase All-in-One-22 desires to make a case for something different.
Sporting a singular stand with loads of flexibility and an $840 price tag, the HP Chromebase All-in-One is definitely a singular proposition — even when it’s not for everybody.
Design
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In organising the HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 for the primary time, I used to be immediately impressed with the design. It is certainly one of the crucial unique all-in-ones in the marketplace, though it takes small inspiration from a few of HP’s other products.
The most important thing in regards to the Chromebase’s design that you just’re going to note is the cylindrical shape of the bottom and the best way the screen floats out from it. Cool because it is just to have a look at, there’s a practical purpose to the design too.
That base houses a speaker system, in addition to ports on the back. Your entire casing of this base can also be enclosed in acoustic fabric. It’s just like the material speakers on the HP Envy 32 — but in a lighter color.
Aside from that, the hinge mechanism that helps you to turn this Chromebase between the vertical and horizontal position also stands out. It’s tucked behind the back of the screen and rotates the display with a subtle soft roll when pushed together with your finger or hand. I did notice that the screen is made from plastic, nonetheless, so there was a bit of little bit of flex when holding it all the way down to turn things around.
Still, the movement is smooth as butter, and I never thought I’d break this computer. That’s quite essential, as HP envisions this as a family computer, to be used by multiple people. I do wish that it wasn’t white, though, because it could easily get dirty.
I also was quite surprised with how quickly ChromeOS adapted to the change in screen orientation. It’s fast, almost like turning an iPad around. There’s no lag by any means, and ChromeOS knows exactly when this computer is being flipped.
Ports
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The HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 comes with a pleasant set of ports, but they’re positioned within the improper place.
The combination features a headphone and microphone combo, two SuperSpeed USB-C ports, and two SuperSpeed USB Type-A ports. In 2022, Type A is appreciated for things like flash drives or hard drives, as even the brand new iMacs have ditched this for Thunderbolt 4.
Anyway, there are not any physical ports on the monitor portion of the all-in-one. Plugging in a Logitech Bolt dongle for my keyboard and mouse was a little bit of a hassle. I needed to stretch my hands to the back of the device and even turn it around to see where the ports are.
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Windows all-in-ones are significantly better with this. The HP Envy 32 AIO is an example because the ports are behind the monitor, right where your fingers can reach. The iMacs are like this, too, with the Thunderbolt 4 ports being tucked right near the facility button. One other Windows all-in-one just like the Dell Inspiron 27 7790 outmatches this Chromebase, too, because it has a wider range of ports, including an Ethernet jack.
Oh, and there’s no output option and no way so that you can use the HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 as a monitor. With ChromeOS being versatile across various device types, it could have been cool to see the choice to plug in a tablet or laptop into the back. Again, you’ll be able to do that with the HP Envy 32 AIO.
Performance
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I’m reviewing a high-end model of the HP Chromebase All-in-One 22. It comes configured with a Tenth-generation Intel Core i3-10110U CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That is as powerful as ChromeOS devices get.
A low-end model with an Intel Pentium 6405U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage can also be available for $630 because the starting configuration. All models support touch.
You actually won’t need a variety of power in ChromeOS, which runs on the Chromebase. The operating system is more optimized for web browsing and Android apps, which all performed well in my use.
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Our testing suite of software for ChromeOS devices is more limited than with Windows or Mac PCs. We do, nonetheless, use the Android version of Geekbench and the Speedometer 2.0 test. I also tested several Android games for reference, and it was actually quite pleasing to see ChromeOS perform well on the massive screen.
Taking a look at the outcomes, Google and HP may need just successfully ported over ChromeOS to the massive screen with this all-in-one. In Geekbench, the Chromebase scored a 768 Single-Core rating, and a 2081 Multi-Core rating. Then, in Speedometer 2.0, which looks on the performance of a system for web browsing, the Chromebase netted 107 out of a possible high of 140. That rating is around what we’ve seen with most Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
These Geekbench scores are also consistent with other Intel-based Chromebooks, even when the Tenth-generation CPU contained in the Chromebase is kind of old. For instance, the HP Chromebook x360 14c netted 898 within the single-core test and a couple of,866 within the multi-core test. It’s still well off the M1 iMac, nonetheless, which hits 1,745 in single-core and seven,700 in multi-core.
As for Windows systems, it may’t come near the HP Envy 32 all-in-one, which has RTX graphics and destroys rivals with a single-core rating of 5,808, and a multi-core rating of 29,124.
Don’t let those scores idiot you though. For my each day workflow and web browsing, the Chromebase tackled 10-plus tabs in Google Chrome without issue. The identical applies to Android games like Asphalt 9 and Subway Surfers, which ran pleasantly with none freezing or stuttering.
This can be a system that may chug along nicely, not less than with the high-end model. You won’t be editing videos or playing AAA titles as you may on a Windows all-in-one, but that’s never been what ChromeOS devices have been for. You’ll give you the chance to enjoy ChromeOS on the massive screen and speed through your web-based or Android app-based workflows. That is the advantage of the all-in-one form factor, with no worrying about cables, as you’ll if you have to connect your Chromebook to a monitor.
Display
My colorimeter software doesn’t work on ChromeOS, so testing the display is a subjective task. The FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution panel looks great for multimedia content and Teams or Zoom calls, but struggled a bit beyond that.
Once I watched a sample video showcasing vibrant forests and natural environments, the colours popped right out of this display, with a lizard within the foreground looking very vivid and vibrant. The contrast also appeared to be decent, with the white background letters of closed captions protruding against their black background, without appearing gray.
Even brightness seemed decent enough so the films I used to be watching didn’t seem too dull when sitting and watching the display from afar in my front room. Only the glossy screen held things back when it comes to impressiveness, as I could see my reflection when taking a look at the display from certain angles.
Web browsing, though, isn’t the most effective, because the text on the screen doesn’t appear as sharp if you take a look at it up close. That’s not too surprising given the 1080p resolution on a display this size. I held up my Surface Pro 8 and an Asus Vivobook right next to the display for comparison, and I immediately noticed how much duller the Chromebase’s panel is with certain forms of text.
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But all just isn’t lost, as the power to spin the display around adds to the best way you need to use the Chromebase. I used it within the vertical position loads for scrolling through social media and even playing games like Subway Surfers. ChromeOS is pretty good at adapting to the change, too, with web sites just like the Latest York Times mechanically switching to vertical mode, and full-screen Android apps just like the Google Play Store also recognizing the change in orientation.
That is something you’ll be able to’t do on a Windows all-in-one without tweaking many alternative settings.
Speakers and webcam
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At the highest of the HP Chromebase is a nifty 5-megapixel webcam. Per my image test, it is available in on the resolution of 2560 x 1994, which is kind of detailed. Even in comparison to the 720p webcams you’ll see on most Chromebooks and Windows laptops, the standard is great.
The webcam can also be wide-angle, so it captures more of the room behind you. I called my friend on Teams using the webcam, and she or he said I looked clear, even mentioning some scratches she noticed on my hand.
I switched the display around to vertical mode to raised give attention to my body, and she or he then said my skin color looked natural, and the room was evenly lit behind me. That is great, as HP envisions this device getting used by families for calling, where the most effective quality and backbone are essential.
Note that the webcam has a cool privacy shutter, too. In case you slide it once, you get to show off your video but keep the microphone on. Slide it again, and then you definitely mute the microphone and have the webcam off. It’s very paying homage to what Lenovo did on the 840ThinkPad with the ThinkShutter. Since this is perhaps used as a family computer, I really like seeing HP put privacy first.
As for the 5-watt stereo speakers, they really can placed on a show, as they’re tuned by B&O. I watched episodes of The Simpsons on the HP Chromebase, and with the amount just at around 40%, the audio was super loud and clear, almost higher than my dedicated speakers.
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There’s still no dedicated woofer, so you’ll be able to’t expect much within the bass department. But my favorite songs, like Alicia Key’s Empire State of Mind, still rocked out within the instrumental parts. The audio setup jogs my memory a variety of the HP Envy 32 All-in-One, which has an enormous speaker bar up front.
Included accessories
HP includes an identical Bluetooth keyboard and mouse within the box with the Chromebase. Each aren’t exactly the most effective quality. While it’s great to have them at no extra cost, typing on the keyboard is terrible. Manufactured from plastic, there’s way an excessive amount of bouncing and bending as I made my way between keystrokes.
The mouse, meanwhile, is uncomfortable and is tough to click and scroll. I very much preferred using my very own accessories with this all-in-one.
Our take
The HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 is an ideal device. It ports ChromeOS over to a bigger screen in your desktop and offers you a fun solution to play Android games, scroll through social media, or enjoy your video calls and music.
Are there any alternatives?
Within the ChromeOS space, there aren’t currently any all-in-one alternatives for this sub $900 price.
You may pick up the Dell Inspiron 27 7790 for around the identical price, or something cheaper like an HP 22 All-in-one PC. Even the M1 iMac only costs a number of hundred dollars more.
While the HP Chromebase definitely has some unique features, the M1 iMac will likely provide a more well-rounded experience for the common person.
How long will it last?
ChromeOS is usually designed to outlast the life span of a tool and the HP Chromebase is built strong, so it should transcend three years.
Do you have to buy it?
Yes, though the quantity of people that would consider buying something just like the HP Chromebase is admittedly low. A Chromebook connected to a monitor you have already got is a less expensive and more versatile PC, as is an iMac.
But as a family computer that can have relatively few problems you’ll be able to’t troubleshoot, the straightforward approach of the HP Chromebase 22 is surprisingly thoughtful.
Editors’ Recommendations
