compute-stick.
The Intel Compute Stick is made by a company known for its microprocessor and costs about $150.
It's as a complete
Mature Windows computer. (Images via Intel)
Your next computer may be a memory stick.
That's right: you might decide to buy a computer like a thumb drive instead of a laptop or desktop computer ---
One of the keychain
Just like a device that transfers files from one computer to another.
With a computer like this, all you have to do is plug the stick into a TV or a backup computer monitor and you have a Windows PC (
Or maybe a browser running Google Chrome OS).
The day you can tuck your computer into your pocket, you work elsewhere.
It doesn't work for everyone, but it's another way for the computer to evolve beyond the typical idea of the PC plugging into the socket and sitting under the table.
Now, the choice is not between a laptop or desktop, nor is it between Macintosh and Windows.
You might want a tablet, like an iPad.
Or Windows Surface, which can be used as either a tablet or a laptop.
Google Chromebooks is another option that offers a cheap way to run the webbased apps.
Now we have the memory stick of the computer.
The Intel Compute Stick is manufactured by a company known for its microprocessor, which offers a possibility for this type of computer.
Computing sticks, including Windows operating systems, cost about $150.
It doesn't look like a traditional computer at all.
No keyboard.
No monitor.
There are no mice.
You have to buy these separately, and the compute sticks will be connected to them.
For a TV or Standby Display, it will be connected by plugging it into the HDMI port.
The keyboard and mouse have Bluetooth wireless connection.
WiFi allows you to access the Internet.
For a pack of gum-sized devices, there are quite a few ports for the Compute Stick.
The USB port allows you to transfer files.
The micro SD slot will help to import photos or add storage space.
But it's not a gimmick: it's a real computer, and it's very flexible.
You can plug it into the TV and watch Netflix and YouTube.
You can connect it to a backup computer monitor to run a photo slide.
You can install Microsoft Office and use applications such as Excel and Word.
Of course, the increase in peripheral equipment increases the cost of calculating rods.
When you add a cheap computer monitor, keyboard and mouse, you can buy a laptop, iPad or Chromebook.
But that's not the real reason why you choose to hold your computer with a stick.
If you already have all the peripherals, but your Windows computer is aging and you want a relatively cheap alternative, that's one reason. If you travel--
In particular, if you want to have the same computer in multiple locations (
Work and family, for example, or your house and holiday home)--
Then it might make sense for Intel compute sticks.
Others may use it as a way to create digital signage by combining the stick with a large display.
In the workplace, the stick allows employees to move between work spaces by plugging the stick computer into any display, rather than being tied to a position.
Asus is expected to release a similar device that lets you run Google's Chrome OS.
Asus Chromebit is not available yet, but it is advertised as full-
Mature computers for less than $100.