The Acer Chromebase DC221HQ bwmicz ($329.99 as tested) provides a large display and speedy hardware for Google's Webcentric operating system. This Chrome-OS-based all-in-one desktop, one of only two we've seen so far (the other is the LG Chromebase), is easy to use and packs a 1080p touch screen and quick performance at a low price. Our Editors' Choice for entry-level, all-in-one desktop PCs remains the Lenovo C260 Touch, which offers a quad-core Intel CPU, a 500GB hard drive, and full Windows support, but Acer's Chromebase is a capable and affordable alternative for $150 less.

Design and Features
The Chromebase DC221HQ is a sleek, white all-in-one with a speaker grille stretched along the bottom of the frame. The articulating stand lets you tilt the display until it's almost horizontal, allowing you to interact with the touch screen easily. If you pull the screen back toward you, the spring-loaded stand will prop itself back into an upright position.

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The 21.5-inch, LED-backlit touch screen has a 1,920-by-1,080 resolution. A sharper In-Plane Switching (IPS) display without touch capability, as seen on the LG Chromebase, may have been a more appealing tradeoff. Touch support is useful for some applications, but it's not a must-have for the Chrome OS.

The display is fairly reflective, but image quality is good. You can actually use the Chromebase as a standalone monitor once the system outlives its usefulness, thanks to the HDMI port on the back. There are also two USB 2.0 ports and an Ethernet port. A rear panel pops off to reveal a USB 3.0 port, as well as an SD card slot, and the audio jack, which is somewhat inconveniently placed for headphone use.

Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless are integrated, and the system comes with a white wired mouse and keyboard. Wireless peripherals would have been a better fit, as the keyboard and mouse will take up two of the three USB ports on the system.

While using Chrome OS means you lose out on traditional Windows programs, it's not without its advantages. You use your Google account to log in to the system, and doing so will sync and apply your global preferences to the Chromebase DC221HQ. This means your Google Docs, Drive, and email will be instantly accessible, and that's hard to beat in terms of ease of use. As long as you have an Internet connection, that is, of course. Acer offers a one-year limited warranty on the system.

Performance
The Chromebase DC221HQ has a 2.1GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 quad-core processor and 4GB of memory. There's only 16GB of on-board storage, but Acer bundles in 100GB of space on Google Drive for two years, after which it will cost you $1.99 per month.

Given that the system can't run Windows programs such as Microsoft Word, you'll need to use Google Docs and Sheets, but everything is quick and simple as long as you're connected to a network. Load times are short, thanks to the speedy Tegra CPU, with slight slowdowns only when streaming high-quality video while simultaneously running multiple tabs.

For everyday use and the simple browsing that the system is built for, the Chromebase DC221HQ is snappy. If you have a slow network or any connectivity problems, the experience may be a little slower, but a broadband connection should serve you well. The hardware is superior to both the LG Chromebase and the Asus Chromebox M004U, but it still isn't powerful enough to perform any tasks beyond video streaming and basic Chrome app gaming. Fortunately, those are the most straining tasks possible on Chrome OS. Our Editors' Choice, the Lenovo C260 Touch is a more robust system, with full Windows, a quad-core Intel Pentium processor, and a 500GB hard drive, but the Chromebase DC221HQ is efficient with what it can do.

Conclusion
The Acer Chromebase DC221HQ bwmicz is an affordable, Web-enabled all-in-one desktop that doesn't stand out in any one particular area. It's a good option if you spend most of your time working in the cloud and have constant access to a network. The touch screen isn't necessarily any easier for browsing than a mouse, though there may be plenty of home and commercial setups that can utilize the system as a quick-stop terminal than full PC replacement. The Chromebase DC221HQ does offer better hardware than LG's first stab at a Chrome OS all-in-one, at a slightly lower price. The Asus M400u desktop is even less expensive, though it's not as powerful, and it lacks the Acer model's built-in display or peripherals. Although it's a $150 pricier than the Acer Chromebase, the Lenovo C260 Touch remains our Editors' Choice entry-level all-in-one desktop due to its full Windows compatibility, strong performance, and spacious storage. Additionally, if you're looking for an affordable mobile Chrome OS option, the Asus Chromebook Flip (C100PA-DB02)is our top Chromebook pick.