The Intel Compute Stick - A New Mini-Computing Paradigm, Available Now

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The Intel® Compute Stick, a new pocket-sized computer based on a quad-core Intel® Atom™ processor running Windows* 8.1 with Bing, is available now through Intel Authorized Dealers for much of the world. The Intel Compute Stick can transform any HDMI display into an entry computer capable of working with productivity apps, playing local or streamed content, driving basic digital signage or enabling thin clients. It will support Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, a microSD card for expandable memory, MicroUSB power supply and Bluetooth* 4.0 for keyboard and mouse. The Windows version, available now, is expected to retail starting at $149. A Linux version with Ubuntu*, available this summer, is expected to retail for $110. Online etailers such as Amazon*, Newegg*, BestBuy.com*and others are expected to carry the product.
 
Didn't we just do this same article 12 hours ago? [H] is getting as bad as slashdot...
 
This is actually pretty cool for a small portable computer or media setup for a car. Too bad Linux version only features 1GB RAM whereas Windows version has 2GB. Seeing that you can get a tablet for $150 with same specs (even less for no-brand ones), I think Intel could have done a little better on the price.
 
Bigdady92 said:
Didn't we just do this same article 12 hours ago? [H] is getting as bad as slashdot...
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No actually, the other was a review from PCPerspective, this one is from LegitReviews.

God forbid we have multiple reviews to read.
 
Bone_Enterprise said:
No actually, the other was a review from PCPerspective, this one is from LegitReviews.

God forbid we have multiple reviews to read.
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No, if you look again and actually click the links and go to the article, it's the same review. :rolleyes:

I still would go for the HP stream mini or Quantum Byte Mini Desktop PC. A little more cost, but wired net connection. The HP comes with a wireless KB/M to boot.
 
I don't see anything revolutionary about this. Don't get me wrong, it's kinda cool to see a desktop PC crammed into that small of a space and still be sorta usable for everyday computing chores, but there's really nothing as amazing or revolutionary as the hype from Intel about a smaller form factor.
 
hardcase said:
Why this instead of a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian?
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RP2 doesn't run Windows. This does.

No actually, the other was a review from PCPerspective, this one is from LegitReviews.

God forbid we have multiple reviews to read.
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The other review comments had links to a dozen other reviews as well.


I still would go for the HP stream mini or Quantum Byte Mini Desktop PC. A little more cost, but wired net connection. The HP comes with a wireless KB/M to boot.
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I'm going with the HP stream mini. $30 more and I get a machine with 3-4x the horse power and fully upgradeable, so what if it looks like a tupperware container.
 
CreepyUncleGoogle said:
I don't see anything revolutionary about this. Don't get me wrong, it's kinda cool to see a desktop PC crammed into that small of a space and still be sorta usable for everyday computing chores, but there's really nothing as amazing or revolutionary as the hype from Intel about a smaller form factor.
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Its not just smaller, its USB powered. That's the key, as not having to run a power cord from a wall socket to it massively increases the useful applications for it.
zkostik said:
This is actually pretty cool for a small portable computer or media setup for a car.
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Weeeell, for a car you probably want to have a screen and battery backup power for it, and, well, then you have a tablet. So for car use, I'd use a tablet w/ 4G capability and a free 200mb a month TMobile SIM instead... and in fact I did! :D

And with cached google maps, the data usage is tiny so 200mb is plenty.
 
Ducman69 said:
Its not just smaller, its USB powered. That's the key, as not having to run a power cord from a wall socket to it massively increases the useful applications for it.
.
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TV/Monitor has to have the right USB port in order to power this monster or else you go with a wall wart.

So far I have yet to see any reviews with people having any luck with their equipment NOT needing to get plugged into a wall power outlet. Not stating it's unpossible, haven't seen any yet .
 
Ducman69 said:
Its not just smaller, its USB powered. That's the key, as not having to run a power cord from a wall socket to it massively increases the useful applications for it.
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The newest Macbook is USB-powered and it uses a Core-M processor. Of course, that's USB-C which is pretty rare these days. Tablets, including Windows-based ones, can be powered/charged from USB ports. Phones can be charged from USB ports. That's nothing revolutionary and there's still a cord someplace feeding it power from somewhere. While it might be useful, it's neither new or represents any shift in modern computing paradigms.
 
CreepyUncleGoogle said:
The newest Macbook is USB-powered and it uses a Core-M processor. Of course, that's USB-C which is pretty rare these days. Tablets, including Windows-based ones, can be powered/charged from USB ports. Phones can be charged from USB ports. That's nothing revolutionary and there's still a cord someplace feeding it power from somewhere. While it might be useful, it's neither new or represents any shift in modern computing paradigms.
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The newest Macbook probably won't have a $100 or less actual street price, and in theory without a battery and LCD panel, this should be smaller, cheaper, cooler operating, and more power efficient (no battery charging losses).

Having less cords is always a big deal in the consumer space, and has been. That's why HDMI was so much more liked over DVI + optical/analog combos.

So this will allow you, in theory (having seen many reviews), to plug one of these into the back of any monitor, TV, or projector and have a full featured Windows computer without having to run any extra cables to it, making it a simple, quick, invisible setup that should be very fast booting and power efficient.

I'll still reserve judgement until I actually test this out, but in theory this could allow me to plug one of these into every TV in the house, and just have a powerful server stream TV, video, video-games, to it or be remote controlled by it (I love the performance of Chrome Remote Desktop) so you have massive performance available even for content creation like throwing together a cool family vacation video with your go-pro footage and what not.

So say $1500 for a really powerful gigantic ATX system in a closet somewhere centralized in the house, wired with CAT6 to a Wireless-AC router (they are DAMN fast at reasonable ranges), and cheap $100ish USB stick computers on every screen say one in the kitchen, one in the living room, one in family room, and bedrooms. BAM! :D
 
Ducman69 said:
I'll still reserve judgement until I actually test this out, but in theory this could allow me to plug one of these into every TV in the house, and just have a powerful server stream TV, video, video-games, to it or be remote controlled by it (I love the performance of Chrome Remote Desktop) so you have massive performance available even for content creation like throwing together a cool family vacation video with your go-pro footage and what not.
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A big problem for this use case is the lack of 5 GHz AC WiFi. With a good router you might be able to do these things OK but AC would make a big difference.

I think in time however as these get a bit cheaper and things like Cherry Trail, faster WiFi, etc. they could become pretty popular.
 
Soopy said:
Windows 10 is coming to RP2.
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No Windows 10 is NOT.

All you are getting is a stripped down shell of a system, think Windows 2012 CORE, you aren't getting a GUI, login, or other 'windows' functionality. All you are getting is a console access in which you need a windows 10 device to connect to in order to manage.

All MS did was say "We can do an Internet of Things device to with our OS!"
 
heatlesssun said:
A big problem for this use case is the lack of 5 GHz AC WiFi. With a good router you might be able to do these things OK but AC would make a big difference.

I think in time however as these get a bit cheaper and things like Cherry Trail, faster WiFi, etc. they could become pretty popular.
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And if Intel ever fixes the fact that any heavy web usage with the wireless causes the Bluetooth to choke and die.
 
Ducman69 said:
The newest Macbook probably won't have a $100 or less actual street price, and in theory without a battery and LCD panel, this should be smaller, cheaper, cooler operating, and more power efficient (no battery charging losses).

Having less cords is always a big deal in the consumer space, and has been. That's why HDMI was so much more liked over DVI + optical/analog combos.

So this will allow you, in theory (having seen many reviews), to plug one of these into the back of any monitor, TV, or projector and have a full featured Windows computer without having to run any extra cables to it, making it a simple, quick, invisible setup that should be very fast booting and power efficient.

I'll still reserve judgement until I actually test this out, but in theory this could allow me to plug one of these into every TV in the house, and just have a powerful server stream TV, video, video-games, to it or be remote controlled by it (I love the performance of Chrome Remote Desktop) so you have massive performance available even for content creation like throwing together a cool family vacation video with your go-pro footage and what not.

So say $1500 for a really powerful gigantic ATX system in a closet somewhere centralized in the house, wired with CAT6 to a Wireless-AC router (they are DAMN fast at reasonable ranges), and cheap $100ish USB stick computers on every screen say one in the kitchen, one in the living room, one in family room, and bedrooms. BAM! :D
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The Macbook has a $1200-ish street price and yes, battery charging with even an otherwise identical platform to the Compute Stick will certainly add to it's demand (Anandtech's review measured 8 watts at the wall under full load...Prime95 + Furmark for the Compute Stick).

I also agree that the idea of fewer cables is a good thing that lots of consumers prefer AND I have no disagreement with the possible usage scenarios you've cited.

The only point I really think is arguable is that there's nothing about it that is revolutionary or changes computing paradigms. It's just another desktop computer that doesn't do anything to dramatically alter how or where people interact with their computers.
 
heatlesssun said:
A big problem for this use case is the lack of 5 GHz AC WiFi. With a good router you might be able to do these things OK but AC would make a big difference.
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You know, I was thinking big deal I'll just throw one of my spare Edimax Wireless AC usb sticks on the available slot, and use the built in bluetooth for a keyboard/mouse combo... but nope:

http://gizmodo.com/intel-compute-stick-review-don-t-buy-it-1699377058
when I plugged in my tiny $20 Edimax 802.11ac dongle into the Stick, it immediately gave me the Blue Screen of Death and wouldn’t boot until I yanked it out.
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That's gay... in which case, I'm back to the NUC/Alienware Alpha boxes instead, which are still small but not practically invisible like this would have been.
 
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