Google is expanding its line of Chrome hardware for business users with "Chromebox for meetings," a video conferencing system that costs $999 and up.

While the system is powered by the free Google Hangouts, $999 isn't expensive when it comes to enterprise-class video conferencing hardware. Google's offering includes a Chromebox, an HD camera, a microphone and speaker, and a remote control. A display is not included.

"Chromebox for meetings brings together Google+ Hangouts and Google Apps in an easy-to-manage Chromebox, making it simpler for any company to have high-definition video meetings," Google said in an announcement. "Up to 15 participants can join the video meeting from other conference rooms, their laptops, tablets, or smartphones."

People without Chrome hardware can join meetings from other locations as long as they have a Gmail account. "You can also connect to rooms that have traditional video conferencing systems using a new tool from Vidyo, and participants who prefer phones can join your meeting with a conference call number from UberConference," Google said.

Google will charge a $250-per-device annual fee for management and support, with the first year included in the $999 price.

The Chromebox in the bundle has HDMI and DisplayPort++, 4 USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, and dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. Google said it's powered by a "fourth generation Intel Core i7 processor." That's the Haswell architecture.

The HD camera supports resolutions up to 1920x1080, automatic switching of resolution based on bandwidth, a Carl Zeiss lens with autofocus, and automatic low-light correction. The microphone/speaker includes mute, end call, and volume buttons.

While the first bundle uses an Asus Chromebox (a higher-end version than the $179 model that comes with a less powerful processor), bundles with HP and Dell Chromeboxes will be available in the "coming months," Google said.

After Google's announcement, HP unveiled its new Chromebox device that will be available in the spring.

Ease of setup is one of Google's main selling points, and it should be particularly easy for companies already using Google Apps for mail and calendaring. Google said the system eliminates "complex dial-in codes, passcodes, or leader PINs," with the exception of participants who join using UberConference.

Laptop screens can be shared wirelessly, and "integration with Google Apps makes it easy to invite others and add rooms to video meetings, directly from Google Calendar," the company said. Businesses will be able to set up and manage conference rooms from a Web-based console.