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Here we get our first look at the Chromebox 2 itself. It is a discrete, dark grey colour – it will certainly not clash with your setup, or cause unwanted distractions. Though it is made from plastic, it feels sturdy and durable – definitely not cheap or flimsy.
On the top, there is a small Chrome logo in the top-left corner, while an ASUS logo is emblazoned in the centre of the top panel.
Taking a tour around the Chromebox, the front I/O features just 2x USB 3.0 ports.
Just next to those USB ports, the power button is fitted neatly into a corner of the Chromebox.
On the adjacent side, we can also find 1x SD card reader, as well as a Kensington lock.
At the back, there is a bit more going on. The power-in connector is accompanied by 1x Ethernet port, 2x USB 3.0 ports, as well as both HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs. This is particularly good to see, as budget mini-PCs typically only have one video connection available. This lets you use a dual-screen setup should you wish.
Lastly, there is a single headset jack to complete the array of connectivity ports.
Finally, we see see the underside panel of the Chromebox 2. There is ventilation to allow air in and out, which is important as the Chromebox 2 is passively cooled. There are also four rubber feet in each corner to raise the Chromebox off the ground a little.
Under those rubber feet (which are glued down), we find the four screws which hold the underside panel in place. You can remove these to get access to the mainboard and other components – but ASUS say that doing so will void your warranty. That being said, I can't think of a good reason why anyone would want to access to the components inside anyway – both RAM slots are taken, and I would have no faith in an SSD upgrade being recognised.
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