Intel Compute Stick (Photo : Facebook )
Intel has unveiled the PC that requires just a HDMI port, USB power and Bluetooth connectivity to make any screen or monitor a workable PC. Currently, the $150 PC-on-a-stick is the only PC available in the market that can be held on palmtop.
Compute Stick PC is a HDMI dongle device that connects to a monitor via HDMI. It has an Intel Atom quad-core processor, 2GB of onboard RAM, and 32GB of storage, according to CNET. It also has a built-in 802.11bgn Wi-Fi. So, streaming from Netflix and Hulu is possible. The stick allows access to shared folders on the Local Area Network, too.
The Compute Stick can be used to store files, surf sites and do everything else that is possible with a run-of-the-mill PC. So, feature-wise, it is not quite off-the-mark with demand.
The maximum disk space of 32 GB data is an advantage too. Pen drives, MP3 players, Tablets and memory cards can be replaced with this stick.
Other advantages include minimum requirement of space and a clutter-free computing experience.
However, the price is its biggest USP. The HTPC is available for roughly the price of an Apple TV dongle, according to Geek.
The Compute Stick is not competing with a laptop or a PC. But in the future, modifications and more features may be added, and it can become a true computing device, according to analysts.
Meanwhile, Asus Chromebit is Compute Stick's true and immediate competitor. Chromebit also works with a HDMI port. Chromebit won't support Windows or Linux as it runs on Google Chrome operating system.
According to Asus, Chromebit will be available under $100 by this summer. So, price-wise, Chromebit is more advantageous.
Intel has plans of offering an on-demand upgrade to Windows 10 version within a 'few months', which can help the firm add value to the concept of stick-computing.
Intel did not inform whether the PC-on-a-stick will be available everywhere, or only in specific markets.
