Review: Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox 10H3 Packs Big Power for Small Business

For small and medium-sized businesses, computers provide the vital tools necessary to get the job done. But most SMBs aren’t in the business of keeping those computers running. Among other concerns, onsite or contracted IT support services are expensive. Luckily, the simplicity and security of Lenovo’s ThinkCentre Chromebox 10H3 offers the answer to providing big computing power without the headaches.

The ThinkCentre Chromebox runs most applications fast, and its Chrome OS keeps programs and the operating system up to date automatically. Administrators or authorized users can also lock down the Chromebox so others can’t — accidentally or on purpose — install malicious or un-authorized software.

Power-Packed Tiny Desktop

Lenovo’s tiny, 2 pound unit runs on a speedy 2 gigahertz Intel Celeron processor, one of the most powerful available in a Chrome-based system. Given that the OS doesn’t tax the processor very much at all, there is plenty of power to drive tools and programs that businesses need, such as email and web browsing. For example, the 10H3 makes quick work of Google Docs, making it a perfect platform for collaboration within a company or with customers.

The ThinkCentre Chromebox also works flawlessly with Microsoft Office Online and Gmail. Even with Gmail set to run in the background while performing other work, the Chromebox never hiccupped.

Also, while streaming HD video to the unit, the Gigabit Ethernet combined with 4 gigabytes of SDRAM works just fine with the integrated Intel HD Graphics. The ThinkCentre has similar streaming results using the wireless 802.11ac interface. And the fact that the 10H3 has integrated HD audio doesn’t hurt presentations either.

Adaptable Advantage for Small Business

The Lenovo ThinkCentre Chromebox 10H3 proves surprisingly flexible, providing four USB 3.0 ports for peripherals, which is double what most Chromebooks offer. With one port likely taken up by the included keyboard, that still leaves three free for integration into almost any business setup. One of the USB ports has dedicated power, which would enable charging of other devices as needed, even if the 10H3 itself is off or in sleep mode.

The price for the 10H3 is good for a Chrome-based unit with a 2GHz processor. The package doesn’t include a monitor for that price, but the 10H3 has both a DisplayPort and an HDMI port, so it can connect to just about any modern display.

With a sufficient amount of power and adaptability, Lenovo’s ThinkCentre Chromebox should fit well into almost any SMB environment.