Wednesday, April 22nd 2015

Intel Compute Stick Now Available

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, and others are expected to carry the product. More information can be found in our broadcast video gallery and on the Intel Compute Stick website.
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79 Comments on Intel Compute Stick Now Available

#2
xela333
TheGuruStudBing.


Just LOL
That only mean's that Bing is set as as the default search engine. The only downside to what is essentially a free version of Windows that manufacturers can supply. Worth it in my option.
Posted on Reply
#3
Franzen4Real
I would like to try one of these as a streaming device. I wonder if the 8.1 with Bing SKU is eligible for the free Win 10 upgrade. I only see the 7/8.1 enterprise versions as excluded on the MS site, but already being a free OS to manufacturers makes me wonder.
Posted on Reply
#4
nickbaldwin86
So you say "Now Available" ....? yet it is being released on 5/8/15? "Now Available to preorder" is what you should have put
Posted on Reply
#5
TheGuruStud
xela333That only mean's that Bing is set as as the default search engine. The only downside to what is essentially a free version of Windows that manufacturers can supply. Worth it in my option.
The funny is that M$ won't give up.

via Imgflip Meme Maker
Posted on Reply
#6
alwayssts
This product could be nice to have...sometime around an iteration next year.

Give me a decent apu, stacked flash, stacked ram, etc running off usb (to dp/hdmi/usb). Should be doable within 60w, right? We're seemingly on the brink in many areas concerning how much (practical) performance you can shove into a very small form-factor requiring very little power, as well as display power and adaptability (something some may love or hate about the new mac book for instance). I understand a big portion of this products' ideal is low pricing and what you can get away with using a minimum useful spec, but I don't know if this crosses that threshold, even though I give them props for things like decent wi-fi, bluetooth, and especially micro-sd expansion.

I like it as a proof of concept, but it still costs too much for what it is imho versus a device with other uses (like a phone/tablet/laptop). The Linux version is at least interesting for it's price, but the lowered ram/flash density limits it's usefulness as an actual computer (rather just something you use for a specific simple task).

That's just my opinion, I'm sure there are people for whom this IS worth it, and is good-enough for what they need it to do. For me though, this is either wasted potential, or a very nifty prototype of things to come.
Posted on Reply
#7
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Just in case you were looking for more details on the specs:

OS|Windows|Linux
Processor|Intel Atom Z3735F Quad-Core 1.33GHz Up To 1.833GHz Boost on 2 Cores Up To 1.580GHz Boost on 4 Cores|Intel Atom Z3735F Quad-Core 1.33GHz Up To 1.833GHz Boost on 2 Cores Up To 1.580GHz Boost on 4 Cores
Memory|2GB DDR3L-1333 Single Channel|1GB DDR3L-1333 Single Channel
Internal Storage|32GB eMMC|8GB eMMC
Power Requirement|5v, 2A|5v, 2A


The Linux version is cheaper, but not because Linux is free(Windows w/ Bing is basically free). The Linux version is cheaper because they crippled it. Also, don't expect SSD like performance from eMMC storage, it is closer to the read/write speeds of an SD Card.
Posted on Reply
#8
dorsetknob
"YOUR RMA REQUEST IS CON-REFUSED"
Wot no Apple Version:roll::wtf:
Posted on Reply
#11
Assimilator
TheGuruStudThe funny is that M$ won't give up.
What's even funnier is that Bing's market share exceeded 20% for the first time a few days ago. Almost as if, I dunno, Microsoft's efforts are paying off?
Posted on Reply
#12
TheGuruStud
AssimilatorWhat's even funnier is that Bing's market share exceeded 20% for the first time a few days ago. Almost as if, I dunno, Microsoft's efforts are paying off?
No, b/c they're spending loads of cash promoting it.
Posted on Reply
#14
Petey Plane
TheGuruStudThe funny is that M$ won't give up.

via Imgflip Meme Maker
Except that Bing is only behind Google and Yahoo for search engines, and consistently in the top 20 on Alexa, so... Bing actually DID happen. Bing will probably never beat Google, but i can definitely see it as #2 in the next few years. So... why on earth would MS give up?

As to the Compute Stick, looks like the perfect living room streaming device, and would be a great PC for parents, and less technically inclined older adults. This, a $100 monitor, and $40 worth of Blue Tooth keyboard/mouse, is all that the vast majority of people who only use a PC for e-mail and light web surfing/shopping need.
Posted on Reply
#15
skates
Nice hijacking of the thread with a bunch of bing related nonsense. The real question is what are the practical uses for this product?
Posted on Reply
#16
nickbaldwin86
skatesNice hijacking of the thread with a bunch of bing related nonsense. The real question is what are the practical uses for this product?
I want one for a media box to stream movies from my PC to my TV... this would plug directly into the back of a TV and be silent and invisible.

@ work I want to test to see if it could be a solution for our shop PCs or even VDi solutions.
Posted on Reply
#17
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
sorry, no. i would rather carry around a netbook then carry around a compute stick, a keyboard, and a mouse.
Posted on Reply
#18
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
skatesThe real question is what are the practical uses for this product?
HTPC, Thin Client, Grandma's PC.
Posted on Reply
#19
FYFI13
At first i was like "Woah! I want one!" but after reading Gizmodo review - meh.
Posted on Reply
#20
Rotaryknight
alwaysstsThis product could be nice to have...sometime around an iteration next year.

Give me a decent apu, stacked flash, stacked ram, etc running off usb (to dp/hdmi/usb). Should be doable within 60w, right? We're seemingly on the brink in many areas concerning how much (practical) performance you can shove into a very small form-factor requiring very little power, as well as display power and adaptability (something some may love or hate about the new mac book for instance). I understand a big portion of this products' ideal is low pricing and what you can get away with using a minimum useful spec, but I don't know if this crosses that threshold, even though I give them props for things like decent wi-fi, bluetooth, and especially micro-sd expansion.

I like it as a proof of concept, but it still costs too much for what it is imho versus a device with other uses (like a phone/tablet/laptop). The Linux version is at least interesting for it's price, but the lowered ram/flash density limits it's usefulness as an actual computer (rather just something you use for a specific simple task).

That's just my opinion, I'm sure there are people for whom this IS worth it, and is good-enough for what they need it to do. For me though, this is either wasted potential, or a very nifty prototype of things to come.
60 watt is really really hot for something thats the size of the current compute stick. Its basically the same specs as a Winbook 801 tablet, but the tablet has a screen.
Posted on Reply
#22
natr0n
I use bing.

If you like sharing data with strangers use google.

Device seems neat, can prob play emulators on it.
Posted on Reply
#23
erixx
It is all about: What FPS does Crysis get on this? :)
Posted on Reply
#25
Naito
TheGuruStudThe funny is that M$ won't give up.
Yeah, don't use Bing. We all know Microsoft is big and bad. Trust us, we know what makes an evil corporation!

Yours sincerely,

Google.
Posted on Reply
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