Intel Compute Stick Now Available

[Steven B]

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.

60W for $150 in this form factor? Yea maybe in a decade, this device pulls 4.8W from the wall at full load lol.

 

[Deelron]

Um, read the reviews again. It worked just fine as a media streamer. The wireless was too slow for games streaming, not media streaming.

.

I read it just fine, the work and chore of actually interacting with it out of the box (the lag issues with using the Bluetooth and the wireless at the same time, not to mention the driver issues) make it a bad choice for a streamer when every other device actually designed to stream media doesn't have those problems.

 

[Mussels]

I read it just fine, the work and chore of actually interacting with it out of the box (the lag issues with using the Bluetooth and the wireless at the same time, not to mention the driver issues) make it a bad choice for a streamer when every other device actually designed to stream media doesn't have those problems.

the only redeeming feature here is that with great power comes great responsibility... no wait, USB ports. you can add more powerful wifi if you need to, unlike 99% of portable devices.

 

[Deelron]

the only redeeming feature here is that with great power comes great responsibility... no wait, USB ports. you can add more powerful wifi if you need to, unlike 99% of portable devices.

Of course, it has potential down the road to be a very useful device, but for a media streamer when it's possible to just pick up something like a Fire TV stick or a Roku stick for a third of the price or less (particularly before "add ons") which doesn't have to deal with driver issues or setup and come already with a control device that doesn't cause studdering and lag when enabled at the same time as the wifi it doesn't make sense

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.

 

[newtekie1]

I read it just fine, the work and chore of actually interacting with it out of the box (the lag issues with using the Bluetooth and the wireless at the same time, not to mention the driver issues) make it a bad choice for a streamer when every other device actually designed to stream media doesn't have those problems.

The "chore" was really just the idiot Gizmodo reviewer not knowing what he was doing. Just the fact that he was surprised that it didn't come with a keyboard and mouse and made a big fuss out of fixing that "major" issue shows how much of an idiot he is. There are so many single receiver solutions out there designed for HTPC use, it is really stupid to make a huge fuss out of needing to use one. If you are going to use this for media streaming, HTPC use, then getting a K400 or one of those mini Keyboard/trackpad combos is a no brainer.

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...

Fire TV stick or a Roku stick for a third of the price or less

And neither one of those are in home media streaming devices...

 

[rtwjunkie]

No, b/c they're spending loads of cash promoting it.

Or maybe because they give honest search results that aren't bribed by the businesses wanting skewed results to put them at the top of a search like Google does.

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.

 

[newtekie1]

Or maybe because they give honest search results that aren't bribed by the businesses wanting skewed results to put them at the top of a search like Google does.

Yeah, Bing does that. The first 4 results on Bing are always paid advertisements. You didn't know that?

 

[rtwjunkie]

Yeah, Bing does that. The first 4 results on Bing are always paid advertisements. You didn't know that?

Bing is not facing a multibillion dollar fine in Europe for search bribes like Google is.

Search term: PC Cases

http://www.bing.com/search?q=pc+cas...ba0d1d892425983459ef4883562db&FORM=QBLH&ghc=1

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en......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.

 

[newtekie1]

Bing is not facing a multibillion dollar fine in Europe for search bribes like Google is.

Yet.

 

[Deelron]

The "chore" was really just the idiot Gizmodo reviewer not knowing what he was doing. Just the fact that he was surprised that it didn't come with a keyboard and mouse and made a big fuss out of fixing that "major" issue shows how much of an idiot he is. There are so many single receiver solutions out there designed for HTPC use, it is really stupid to make a huge fuss out of needing to use one. If you are going to use this for media streaming, HTPC use, then getting a K400 or one of those mini Keyboard/trackpad combos is a no brainer.

Quite possibly, but it doesn't negate:

Every device I connected suffered from high input latency and a flighty connection, translating to laggy mouse input and an infuriating keyboard delay. It took other Sean a solid hour to sort out the problem: the Compute Stick uses a single chip for both WiFi and Bluetooth communications, and it’s terribleat multitasking. The only way to fix it is to disable WiFi. Seriously?

That's a problem no matter what.

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.

That's just not true in my home at all, my bluetooth keyboard easily gets 15 feet from the computer I'm currently typing it on (I just checked, since it's not a regular use case as you mentioned), and I routinely get 20 feet on my iPad to bluetooth speakers in my kitchen (it's clear and unobstructed, but it's pretty obvious when the sound drops out that it's too far (about 25 feet away). I don't sit far enough from my TV for 15 feet to not be good enough.

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...

And neither one of those are in home media streaming devices...

I never mentioned a Chromecast. Not once.

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

The unit doesn't come with any wired networking facilities. It is essential that the Wi-Fi solution be top-notch. Unfortunately, a single-band 1x1 802.11n solution just doesn't cut it - particularly for scenarios involving video streaming.

It's just not good enough as designed, "idiot" Gizmodo reviewer or no.

 

[Uplink10]

Google currently is much more intuitive and user-friendly

Not very much user friendly, a while ago you could only create Google account if you had telephone and when you created it your anonymity was compromised. There is also that incident where Google deleted already sent email on a request from some big name company which was mistakenly sent to wrong Gmail address. This means your data in Google hands is not secure nor private.

 

[Steven B]

I read it just fine, the work and chore of actually interacting with it out of the box (the lag issues with using the Bluetooth and the wireless at the same time, not to mention the driver issues) make it a bad choice for a streamer when every other device actually designed to stream media doesn't have those problems.

This is where the device's versatility comes in, you don't need to use bluetooth at all, just like on a normal desktops, its almost like some extra they toss in to expand specs. My KB/M from logitec has its own USB plug, and I used that. When i needed the USB port for like more storage or USB drive I used teamviewer which I could work from my phone or desktop. This is a very versatile device, you shouldn't hate it because some odd usage scenario doesn't work well.

This is what I have: http://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...Q18-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.

 

[Deelron]

This is where the device's versatility comes in, you don't need to use bluetooth at all, just like on a normal desktops, its almost like some extra they toss in to expand specs. My KB/M from logitec has its own USB plug, and I used that. When i needed the USB port for like more storage or USB drive I used teamviewer which I could work from my phone or desktop. This is a very versatile device, you shouldn't hate it because some odd usage scenario doesn't work well.

I don't hate the device, they advertise it for use for 4 product categories (per Anandtech's review): home entertainment (which my comments were directly related to media streaming, and specifically why it's a poor choice for doing so given the alternatives), PC-Like embedded (seems fine), Productivity (seems passable, given the inherent limitations) and thin client (which also seems passable, although I have concerns about the value of the form factor, particularly in public usage situations.) It's plenty versatile but it's out of the box limitations and awful wireless (again, per Anandtech's review) make it a poor choice if the primary use is as a media streamer (not that it couldn't do it or it'd be handy to be able to do so in a pinch).

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.

 

[xvi]

I want one of these for a PRTG monitor display for a dumb TV. it;s tiny and good enough to bring up a PRTG window in chrome, full screen it. and boom.

Beats having to have my craptop busted asser hooked up behind my rca LCD TV for that.

Maybe try an ARM PC? Should be about $50 for an inexpensive one. I have a nice-ish one (powered by a rk3288 processor) on the way from China. If you're interested, I can let you know how well it does with PRTG's (ridiculously intensive) AJAX interface under Android (and maybe Linux).

The Chromecast requires a $300 phone, or a several hundred dollar computer. Yeah, those are much better choices...

To be fair, a 1st gen Nexus 7 can be picked up for less than $100, but your point is still valid.

 

[remixedcat]

cool. tell me how it performs on it;

 

[Caring1]

Wtf are you talking about now? What happened? What shit? What do I have to choose? I don't see a point in your comment.

If you fail to see how my comment relates to your previous statement, then you have comprehension issues.
Please keep your language civil, swearing is uncouth and unnecessary.

 

[Mussels]

ladies, keep your drama civil and polite.

us moderators are very mean to naughty people.

 

[rodneyhchef]

Looks like the Linux version gets less hardware to run on; 1gb ram vs 2 and 8gb storage vs 32 so that would also go some way to explain the price difference

http://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!

 

[karljohnson321]

Things turd. Why would u buy that piece of. when u can go on newegg buy a NVIDIA TEGRA developemental board that makes that stick look like a 128 MB flash drive.. Remember those. for 100$ more u get something that supports 4k res. has octo core 2 quad core ARM 250 some odd core gpu DX 12 supportin beast. im excited for the tegra XD I think it is Nvidia has a lock on this market amd will stay afloat but intel with there unreasonably high prices will sink.... I cant wait till MAC does too. Overpriced Linux OS with a tweaked shell. At least bill gates had the nerve to steal something unique

 

[newtekie1]

I was just sort of browsing around and came across this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856178014

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.

 

[cyneater]

Only if it was a tad bigger and had a sata port ... oh wiat a sec thats a nuc...

More ram more usb would be nice....

 

[Haytch]

I had the chance to use one. They have them on demo at my local Centrecom store with the Windows 8.1, 2Gb Memory and 32Gb Storage.
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.

 

[xvi]

I had the chance to use one. They have them on demo at my local Centrecom store with the Windows 8.1, 2Gb Memory and 32Gb Storage.

Really appreciate the hands-on review!

32Gb storage reads and writes at about 20mb/s

Yikes. I'm guessing they had to push pretty hard to fit the system's power requirements in to what a USB port can deliver, but it would have been nice have fit a little faster/higher power controller. Just seems really bad that (theoretical) WiFi bandwidth is nearly twice the storage controller's bandwidth.

WiFi range seemed limited to the same as the Bluetooth range

Probably also power consumption related.

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.

More expensive than a thin client, a little too underpowered for a HTPC.. It's getting less and less interesting. =/

 

[Mussels]

judging by the MS surface tablets, if you disabled bluetooth you'd probably get 300Mb wifi - they 'share' hardware on the budget wifi + BT chipsets.

 

[Uplink10]

Having USB cable would also be better than this stick which might not fit into all devices. Everything so they can market a "stick".