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.
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.
79 Comments on Intel Compute Stick Now Available
Additionally once you extra up the machine you're getting super close to the price of a regular small machine anyway, so that portability factor (which would have to be pretty specific, since you'd have to make sure you'd have the controlling devices available where you're going, or bring your own hub since it has the one port) has to start paying off over just buying an extra $39 media streaming stick.
It's actually a product I'm excited for in concept, it's just too touchy now as it stands.
And the bluetooth performance really doesn't matter. Bluetooth isn't worth using anyway. The range isn't good enough. Sure, it is fine if you have it plugged in to your desk and the keyboard is right next to the thing, but if you have it plugged into the back of your TV, bluetooth isn't going to reach to your couch reliably. The fact is, bluetooth is only there because the chip they decided to use for Wifi had it built in.
And what other devices don't have these problems? The Chromecast you mentioned? Yeah, the Compute Stick Requires a $15 mini-keyboard to control, how terrible. The Chromecast requires a $300 phone, or a several hundred dollar computer. Yeah, those are much better choices...:rolleyes: And neither one of those are in home media streaming devices...
Bing is actually pretty good. The current traffic info affecting routes on Bing maps is always pretty accurate and up to date, which I have found to save me alot of wasted time sitting in traffic jams.
Search term: PC Cases
www.bing.com/search?q=pc+cases&qs=PA&pq=pc+cases&sc=8-8&sp=1&cvid=02eba0d1d892425983459ef4883562db&FORM=QBLH&ghc=1
www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=PC+Cases&gbv=2&oq=PC+Cases&gs_l=heirloom-hp.13..0l10.796.2715.0.6006.8.8.0.0.0.0.187.1202.0j8.8.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..0.8.1202.u5-VzI-LJ00
Notice Bing clearly delineates what is an ad, as well as making a space btween those 4 and the search results.
The reason google is in trouble is because almost any of those first page results are there because the companies paid to be put there, with no openly identifying that fact by Google.
I use both, so I'm not adamant about either. I just believe the hate on Bing is unwarranted (simply bc it's MS?) for what is actually a pretty good and refined search engine. It's never let me down.
I've used Plex plus a Roku to stream local media from a local PC, as well as an Apple TV via iTunes (and as I understand it, you can use a fire stick to do so as well, there's a website covering side loading Fire TV, but it's not something I'm personally familiar with). In home even.
As far as cost, they all require some additional cost, since if you're streaming local media you probably have to store it somewhere, and if you have enough of it you're ponying for a NAS anyway, and if it's important to you, a backup for said data. The problem isn't just cost, it's that the damn thing doesn't work as it's designed, particularly the WLAN for streaming, as the Anandtech review noted It's just not good enough as designed, "idiot" Gizmodo reviewer or no.
This is what I have: www.officedepot.com/a/products/729357/Logitech-K400-Keyboard/?cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google-_-Computer_Tablet_Accessories-_-729357-VQ6-42102245036-VQ16c-VQ17-pla-VQ18-online-VQ19-729357-VQ20-76926630596-VQ21-
Once again this isn't a mobile device where there is no USB port and which requires a dedicated bluetooth keyboard/mouse (aka the keyboard and mouse has no dedicated USb receiver).
I do think that the Compute Stick will heavily increase sales of the Logitec K400r hahahahaha.
I am also confused about all this with Bing crap, why wouldn't you just install Chrome? Its a computer, you have so many different options
Also the GIZMODO person, I have the same device as you and didn't have any input lag with my Logitec K400r.
As I mentioned before, I'm looking forward to the form factor and am excited where it's going, I just see absolutely no value using this as an alternative to a cheapo NUC or cheap dedicated streaming device for in-home media streaming or entertainment, particularly plugged into my tv. I don't have a desire to fire up another computer or tablet to remotely control what the machine can do from my couch when a $39 device comes with a remote. The keyboard is certainly a good workaround for a problem design out of the box.
Please keep your language civil, swearing is uncouth and unnecessary.
us moderators are very mean to naughty people.
www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-stick/compute-stick-product-brief.html
scroll to page #4
EDIT - Just realised post #7 already covered this. Nevermind!
The Minix Neo Z64W. Looks like the same specs but slightly larger form factor(really I don't see it as a big deal), but it has 2 USB ports, and ethernet port, and an external Wifi antenna. It seems to address all the issues the Intel Compute Stick has.
More ram more usb would be nice....
Basically, 4k is a no no, but it 1080p rather nicely. 32Gb storage reads and writes at about 20mb/s and the O.S takes up half of the memory on boot. WiFi range seemed limited to the same as the Bluetooth range, Bluetooth and wireless was about 20 feet, which I thought was decent for the Bluetooth. 150Mbps should have been 300Mbps.
It has it's practical uses, but this is not a product I would purchase. I found it to be incredibly slow at any task compared with a bottom of the range netbook.
The suggested operating temperature of 35C maximum is also a major limit considering that this unit starts to slow down before it reaches 30C.
The fan makes a very high pitch sound that I found annoying.
I love this idea, this product. I look forward to much better specifications in future. At the moment, this is not a product I could use on a daily basis, for streaming or not.