Chrome OS is all the rage in education these days. It's ideal for classroom use, with sandboxed security, low-cost and durable hardware options, and plenty of management tools. Viewsonic is no stranger to the education market, either, with its wireless ViewBoard classroom displays. And now it's pushing out a Chromebox to accompany that display, the new $349 NMP660 which will be available in April. 

The Chromebox is unimaginatively named, and in specifications it mostly matches other recently announced hardware like HP's Chromebox G2. It's also a dead-ringer for the CTL Chromebox, so if the details here appeal to you, what appears to be an identical model can be had for $150 less.

SPECS

CPU

 Intel Kaby Lake 3865U

RAM

4GB DDR4

Storage

32GB SSD

Connectivity

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Gigabit Ethernet

Ports

HDMI, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, 3x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Type C, microSD

Dimensions

 5.8" (148mm) x 1.7" (41.1mm) x 6.0" (148.5mm), 1.4 lbs (0.7 kg)

Like most recent Chrome OS-powered devices, it supports Android apps, easily installable via the Play Store. Based on specs and marketing materials, the NMP660 will probably end up being your average 2018 Chromebox, but Viewsonic is marketing this model specifically for education and corporate use.

Still, this would be one of the first Chromeboxes to support Android apps, which makes it unique. You'll have to wait a bit longer before you consider grabbing one for work or play, though. Although Viewsonic has revealed it, availability is set for April.

UPDATE: 2018/03/15 5:41pm PDT BY

Based on specifications and appearance, this Chromebox might just be a rebadged CTL model. The article has been updated to introduce that comparison.

Thanks: Lon Grove

PRESS RELEASE