AP Review: Asus Chromebox great as streaming device

New Delhi: Devices that let you watch Netflix and other streaming video services on a big TV screen are popular, but there are limits to what you can watch.Here is a legal way around these restrictions with a new device called the Chromebox.To call the Chromebox a streaming device does it injustice.It's a full-powered desktop computer running Google's Chrome OS system.You can connect the Chromebox to a standard monitor just like any other desktop. Like other newer desktops, the Chromebox also has an HDMI port to connect to high-definition TVs.Chromebox runs Google's Chrome OSChromebox comes with a Google's Chrome Web browser and numerous apps for Google services, including Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube and Hangouts chats.You can get apps for non-Google services, too, but not as many as you'd find for Windows and Mac computers.If you need professional apps such as Adobe's Photoshop or Microsoft's Office, look elsewhere. The tools available with Chrome OS are adequate for basic functions, but they aren't robust.Another shortcoming of Chrome OS is its need for a constant Internet connection.Another complaint is that you'll have to decide whether you want to use the Chromebox as a general-purpose computer or as a streaming device.New featureshromebox also has a new Chrome OS feature that lets you create supervised log-ins for your kids.You can choose to block certain sites or permit surfing of only pre-approved sites.Unlike parental control software from outside parties, Chrome OS doesn't try to impose a default list of approved or banned sites.Chromebox works nicely as a secondary computer that family members share.Besides the dual display ports, Chromebox has four USB 3.0 ports for printers and other peripherals, a slot for camera memory cards and an Ethernet port for wired Internet connections. It also has Wi-Fi, but not the newer, faster type known as 802.11ac.Not suitable for general computingOne can manage to use the Chromebox to watch plenty of free Hulu offerings, replays of Olympics figure skating and some shows from ABC Family, a channel otherwise unavailable on streaming devices.Video is sometimes jerky and the audio sometimes out of sync, but that's something one can get on other devices, too.It is recommended to get the wireless keyboard and mouse for streaming.Otherwise, the keyboard and mouse would be physically attached to the Chromebox, which sits closer to the TV than to you.But that setup doesn't work well for general computing.Chromebox works just like any other computerWith most streaming devices, you need apps for individual services such as Netflix and HBO Go. If there's no app for that service, you can't watch it on the big screen for the most part. That's one of the big shortcomings with Google's Chromecast streaming device. Even though it's just $35, the list of services it supports is paltry.By contrast, Chromebox works just like any other computer.As long as you can watch something in a Web browser, you can watch it on the big screen.You can technically do that with any desktop computer if it has an HDMI port or if you get an adapter. Price in the marketAsusTek Computer Inc. will start selling it March 28 at a starting price of $179.A version with a faster processor and support for ultra-high-definition video, also known as 4K, will be available in April for $369.That model includes a wireless keyboard and mouse; otherwise, the package is sold separately for $50.Of course, the Chromebox is cheap enough that you can buy two.But if you have to choose, consider this: There are plenty of other desktops for general computing, but few affordable enough to use just for streaming.