Meet the Intel Compute Stick, one of those good things that come in small packages. The Compute Stick is a full-fledged Windows 8.1 PC that plugs into any TV to turn it into a computer. It doesn’t matter if it’s a smart TV or not, you now get a proper Windows PC with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3735 processor, 2 GB RAM, and 32 GB internal storage. Connect it to the Internet, plug in a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you’ll have a whole new way of using your TV.
The Compute Stick also has a microSD slot that supports a card of upto 128 GB (which you’ll need, since you only get about 14 GB of free space by default), a full-size USB port, Bluetooth 4.0, and Wi-Fi. It is powered by a microUSB port, and it requires so little wattage that you can run it directly off a power bank! In our tests, the Xiaomi, Asus and Huawei power banks successfully powered the Intel Compute Stick without issues. Basically, you actually have a PC you can carry in your pocket and connect to any screen with an HDMI port.
What it can do
The Intel Compute Stick is obviously not as powerful as a regular PC, but it’s still good for a few things:
* Playing 1080p videos is fine, just don’t have too many other processes running
* You can use Microsoft Office without any issue
* For web browsing, the Compute Stick is actually better than any smart TV, since you get proper Chrome or Firefox with their many extensions
* You can install any Windows software, of course, so it’s like using a PC
* It can work off a power bank
What it can’t do
* The Wi-Fi strength is weaker than most PCs, which is natural considering the size.
* Multi-tasking is a pain. Opening 20 tabs in Chrome, or switching between Office, Chrome and iTunes will invariably lead to the PC hanging or one of the programs crashing
* Don’t even think about gaming. Seriously. None of the modern PC games run smoothly
* It can’t mirror your smartphone, like Chromecast can
* Don’t use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time. It ends up malfunctioning often
The Intel Compute Stick seems like a great idea for a PC you can carry around with you, but well, it doesn’t make much sense in actual usage. For starters, you’ll need either a power cable and socket or a power bank. You’ll also need a TV with an HDMI input. And then you’ll need a wireless keyboard and mouse. The Compute Stick doesn’t make much sense as a portable computer in an age when you can buy an 8-inch Windows tablet for roughly the same price. After all, you get a screen there, a built-in battery, and no need for a keyboard and mouse.
In the end, it’s pretty clear what the Compute Stick should be used for: to turn any TV into a full-fledged PC. It costs Rs 10,499. If you already have a TV that you are happy with, but just want to make it a smart TV, then buy the Intel Compute Stick instead of upgrading your TV. If you’re buying a new TV, see if you can get a non-smart TV with a bigger screen for a cheaper price. It makes more sense to buy that and the Intel Compute Stick, since the Windows OS here actually lets you get a lot done, while smart TV OSes don’t really do anything.
** Estimated street price: Rs 10,499
