GOOGLE KILLED THESE COMPUTERS. HE TURNS THEM INTO WALL DASHBOARDS FOR FREE
A Chromebase all-in-one that Google stopped updating becomes a full touchscreen Home Assistant panel after one firmware flash.
by Hardware Haven
HomeAutomation
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- an afternoon
- license
- license not specified
- repo
- repo 0 stars
●●●○○ · an afternoon · license not specified · 0 stars · repo
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
If you can find an end-of-support Chromebase for almost nothing, this is a solid weekend project that turns e-waste into a permanent wall-mounted smart home panel. The firmware flash is straightforward if you follow MrChromebox's script, and the physical disassembly is well shown in Hardware Haven's video. The catch: not every Chromebase model is supported by coreboot, so you need to verify compatibility before you buy. If yours is not on the list, the project stops there. The kiosk stand is a clean, simple print that does the job. A commercial wall panel runs 270-360 dollars installed; this costs whatever the thrift store charged you plus filament. The most likely failure point is buying a Chromebase that MrChromebox does not support, or one where the write-protect screw location has changed. Check the compatibility table first.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —CAD: VESA kiosk stand published on Printables under CC-BY.
- —Firmware: coreboot from MrChromebox.tech, open source, well-documented for supported models.
- —No bill of materials — you bring the Chromebase and source your own hardware.
- —No written teardown guide — the 24-minute YouTube video is the documentation.
- —Model compatibility is not guaranteed; check MrChromebox.tech before buying.
- —CC-BY licence allows commercial use of the stand design.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterBluHub reads and burns Blu-ray/DVD/CD, adds USB-C, USB-A, SD/TF and 10 Gbps data — plug and play, grand-piano finish.
Videos
Chromebase to Home Assistant wall panel (Hardware Haven)24:00
24-minute walkthrough covering two different Chromebase models, teardown, firmware flash, and finished kiosk. This is the project documentation.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Check if your Chromebase model is supported (The firmware does not support every model. Verify before you buy.)
- 2.Watch the Hardware Haven teardown video (This is the written guide. Follow it while you work.)
- 3.Download the kiosk stand STL (Choose the VESA pattern that matches your monitor.)
- 4.Flash coreboot firmware (Follow the MrChromebox script after removing the write-protect screw.)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Buying a Chromebase model that MrChromebox does not support — check the compatibility list before you buy, not after.
- The write-protect screw location varies by model; the video shows two different ones, yours may be a third.
- Firmware flashing is straightforward if you follow the script, but interrupting it mid-flash can brick the device.
- Some Chromebases use non-standard VESA patterns; measure before printing the stand.
- The project assumes you already run Home Assistant — setting that up from scratch is a separate weekend.
- Thrift store units may have dead pixels, failing backlights, or other display issues not obvious until you power them on.
Which Chromebase models work?
Check the MrChromebox.tech compatibility list before you buy. The video covers two models, but not all end-of-support Chromebases are supported by coreboot.
Can I run something other than Home Assistant?
Yes. Once coreboot is installed, it is a standard x86 PC. You can run any Linux distribution, Windows, or a dedicated kiosk OS.
What if I brick it during the firmware flash?
Most firmware flash failures on supported models can be recovered with a hardware programmer, but that is advanced work. Follow the MrChromebox instructions exactly and do not interrupt the flash.
Do I need to keep ChromeOS?
No. The coreboot firmware replaces ChromeOS entirely. The machine becomes a standard PC.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
A commercial wall panel runs $270-$360 installed, and this costs whatever the thrift store charged you. What would you mount yours next to?
Hardware Haven
Hardware Haven documents e-waste rescues and hardware hacks on YouTube, focusing on giving obsolete vendor-locked devices a second life. The Chromebase project is part of a broader series on turning end-of-support hardware into useful tools.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM2d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the MrChromebox firmware site is actively maintained and the compatibility list is current as of this write-up, but Chromebase model numbers are inconsistent across regions — verify your exact unit before buying. The video shows two different screw locations for write protection; if yours is a third variant, expect to spend time with the service manual. The kiosk stand is a clean, minimal design that works, but some all-in-ones have non-standard VESA holes — measure first. The single biggest failure point is buying an unsupported model; check the list twice.