Google Asus Chromebit Turns Your TV Into A Real Computer

Google's new computer doesn't look like one. In addition to new Chromebooks, Google on Tuesday unveiled a thumb-sized dongle that can turn a TV or monitor display into a full-fledged computer with Chrome OS.

As small as a streaming stick or USB drive, the Asus Chromebit features a Rockchip RK3288 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a USB port and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It plugs into any monitor that has an HDMI port.

Google (GOOGL) has not announced a definitive price, but the Chromebit will sell for less than $100 when it hits shelves this summer, the company said on its Chrome blog.

While it's making a big splash, the little computer-on-a-stick is not the first on the scene. Intel (INTC) launched the Compute Stick, which runs Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8.1, back in January.

Google shares closed down 1.1% on the stock market today. Intel shares were off 0.6%.

According to IDC data, Google's lightweight computers were the best-selling device in American K-12 education during 2014. With the Chromebit, Google could conceivably capture even more educational market share as it gives older-model computers and displays new purpose.

Google's new Chromebooks include several low-priced models, from the $149 Haier Chromebook 11 and Hisense Chromebook to the $249, less-than-2-pound Asus Chromebook Flip. The Haier is available for pre-order on Amazon (AMZN), while the Hisense is open for pre-orders at Wal-Mart (WMT). The Flip will be available for purchase later this spring.

Microsoft also unveiled a new computing device Tuesday, a $499, 10.8-inch version of its Surface Pro 3 tablet.