Although Google has announced that it's working on various "Chromebox" devices, it hasn't been particularly candid about their specifications, release date or price. If you can't justify waiting indefinitely for a mystery box, then Xi3 Corporation might have precisely what you're looking for. The company has announced what will be the market's first desktop PC running Google's Chrome OS.
Named ChromiumPC, the ultra-compact machine is based on Xi3's customizable Modular Computer and has been in development since 2009 with a release date slated for July 4. The system features an aluminum chassis that measures only 101.6(W) x 92.8(D) x 92.8mm(H) and houses three small interconnected boards: the processor module, primary I/O module, and secondary I/O module.
The processor module contains CPU and RAM, the primary I/O module holds external communication such as eSATA and USB, while the secondary I/O module features Ethernet along with video and power connectors. Xi3 hasn't shared the ChromiumPC's specs yet, but it will be offered with a single or dual-core 64-bit x86 processor. Pricing is also unknown but the Modular Computer goes for $850.
Apparently, it's no coincidence that the device slated for Independence Day in the US. "Since the Xi3 Computer Architecture allows owners of the Xi3 Modular Computer to declare their independence from the built-in obsolescence of other computers, we felt that American Independence Day would be a great day to begin selling the 5 Series model of the Xi3 Modular Computer," the company said today.