Any of you guys have Chromecast or Apple TV? [MENTION=12]Deuce[/MENTION]
http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcochiappetta/2015/04/28/the-tiny-intel-compute-stick-attacking-the-pc-market-from-the-bottom/
If so, can it stream Amazon Prime and does it have a built in browser so I can watch YouTube directly through it? Or does everything have to come from your mobile device/laptop?
The Tiny Intel Compute Stick: Attacking The PC Market From The Bottom
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One of Intel INTC +0.1%’s biggest advantages over its competitors is the company’s advanced manufacturing processes. Intel’s manufacturing capabilities not only allows them to produce ultra-high-performance, big, multi-core processors—like the powerful Core i7-5960X, for example—but smaller, much lower-power parts like its line of Atom processors. Intel’s advanced manufacturing processes also affords the company the ability to shrink technologies previously reserved for much larger form factors, down into devices where a full-fledges x86 processor simply wouldn’t work a few years ago.
Intel’s recently released Compute Stick is a perfect example. I had the chance to play with the Compute Stick and though the device isn’t perfect, I couldn’t help but be impressed by it. If you’re unfamiliar with the Intel Compute Stick, it is essentially an entire quad-core PC, crammed into a tiny enclosure that’s about the size of a pack of gum. Admittedly, it’s not a powerful PC, but it can run full-blown Windows and do what many mainstream PCs can. In fact, the $149 Compute Stick includes Windows 8.1 with Bing pre-installed.
Inside the Compute Stick I took a look at is a quad-core Intel INTC +0.1% Atom processor model Z3735F (1.33GHz) with integrated Intel HD graphics, 2GB of DDR3 memory, and 32GB of internal storage, 19.2GB of which is usable out of the box. If 32GB isn’t enough space, there is also a micro-SD expansion slot that supports cards up to 128GB. The Compute Stick’s got built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a single, full-sized USB port as well. And there is an additional micro-USB port on the device too, but that’s used for providing power—not connecting peripherals. A cheaper $100 version of the Compute Stick with Ubuntu Linux and 1GB of memory is coming too.
The Compute Stick is designed to plug into the HDMI port on a display, like an HDTV, to turn it into a basic PC. And in this regard, the Compute Stick does exactly what it was meant to do. Simply plug the Compute Stick into a display, provide power via an included USB adapter (or simply plug it into a USB port), hit the power button, and the thing boots right into Windows. You’ll need to connect input devices too, but other than that it’s ready to go.
The Compute Stick is meant for a few different use cases. For one, it makes a great little HTPC. Playing back videos on the device works great and it’s an ideal candidate for media front-ends like KODI. The Compute Stick is also perfectly cable of streaming games from Steam using the client’s in-home streaming capabilities, though Intel recommends using an add-on 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller or hardwiring the Compute Stick to a network with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter for optimal performance. If the Compute Stick is close enough to an 802.11n AP, it will work for Steam streaming, however (I tested it with the built-in Wi-Fi and an Asus RT-AC68U). The device also makes for a great thin-client for remotely accessing a more powerful PC, or for things like digital signage.
I have benchmarks, video, and more information in my full review. But suffice it to say, the Intel Compute stick packs the capabilities of the PC into an incredibly tiny space. Performance isn’t stellar, but there’s only so much horsepower than can be packed into something 12mm thin.
