Acer brings Chromeboxes back to life with two new models at IFA 2025

Thought Chromeboxes were a dying breed? You could be easily forgiven if so, with Google listing a grand total of eight on the international version of its Chrome OS website – and the most recent dates back to 2023. But here at IFA 2025, which describes itself as the world’s biggest tech event, Acer announced two new models.

“The demand is picking up on Chromeboxes,” Emmanuel Fromont, Acer’s EMEA President, told me in an exclusive interview. But that demand stems from commercial users rather than consumers.

From the education sector, I asked? “Yes, but also small SMB business. [The] small form factor starts to resonate even in retail, because for ten years people believe a desktop [must be] a powerful machine. It needs to be a big machine. If you tell people, even in this one little box, you have the same power, they can’t believe it can be true.”

The opportunities also tend to come from what Fromont describes as “green field” companies that don’t rely on legacy Windows computers. “You know, if you have a lot of legacies, you are a little bit careful of moving from one OS to the other.”

He added that AI is giving fresh impetus to Chrome OS sales, too, with Acer also announcing its first Chromebook packing a 50 TOPS NPU at IFA. Namely the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, which will feature in our upcoming article about the best business products at IFA 2025.

Here, let’s focus on the two new Chromeboxes.

Acer Chromebox Enterprise CXI6

First up is the Acer Chromebox CXI6. It’s both tiny and incredibly fast, based on Intel’s Core 100U series of processors, up to an Intel Core 7 150U. Acer also crams in the ports, with five USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB 3.2 Type-C, a DisplayPort and two HDMI ports. So it can run four independent monitors.

Connectivity comes via Wi-Fi 6E and a 2.5GbE LAN port. As with all Acer’s new Chromebook Plus and Chromebox models, SMBs can choose a version with the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade. This unlocks business-friendly capabilities such as remote management, enhanced security and enhanced support.

The CXI6 goes on sale in North America in December with a starting price of $520. In EMEA we need only wait until September, with prices starting at €299. Want Enterprise features? The Acer Chromebox Enterprise CXI6 starts at $750 in North America and €399 in EMEA.

You can find full specifications at the foot of this article. Meanwhile, here’s a selection of photos I took from the show floor:

Acer Chromebox Mini Enterprise CXM2

Acer reckons that customers looking for another compact desktop solution for a space-constrained environment should consider the Acer Chromebox Mini CXM2.

A fanless design means it runs almost silently, albeit with less power on tap than its sibling. Here, Intel’s undemanding Core 3 processor N350 provides what Acer describes as “solid responsiveness and multitasking for everyday performance”.

There’s no shortage of ports, once more (see full specs below). You get five USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Type-C and dual HDMI ports. That means support for up to three monitors.

North Americans must wait until Q1 of 2026, with prices starting at $360. Christmas comes early for customers based in EMEA, as the CXM2 goes on sale from September with prices from €299. If you want Chrome Enterprise support, you’ll pay from $750/€399.

Specifications of new Acer Chromebox Plus models

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