Intel Compute Stick
MPN: LED-SC3-X5PRO3 reviews
Great part time computer – I bought my stick PC about 4 years ago and still use it as needed. One of its attractions was having a 32bit version of Windows 10 Home installed. This has enabled me to continue using my legacy Digger data CDs that require it and saves me having to mess with installing Virtual Machine software and its associated potential issues. The unit comes with a plug pack power adapter that connects to the microUSB port. My unit has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports and a microSD card slot and has up to 64GB of onboard storage. I simply connect the stick PC to the HDMI port of my spare monitor connect a wireless keyboard and mouse and a USB DVD/CD drive and I am all good to go. For my use it is ideal but others may find it a little wanting in areas. Streaming YouTube videos is possible but be prepared for some buffering. As my monitor doesn't have speakers, I connected the stick in line with a Digitech HDMI audio extractor which has both speaker and headphone outputs to enable me to hear audio.
compact PC – I have the old one with windows 8.1 but I easily upgraded it to windows 10. The specs on mine was no difference to the ones with windows 10. It was originally for $199 but I got mine for $100 so I'm not complaining. Here are the pros and cons. Pros - allows you to connect to any monitor with a HDMI connection - can word process as well as access websites and youtube.
- it has sufficent resources for word processing and accessing youtube.
- It is literally a stick PC. Fits in your hand and you can access your files from anywhere
- has a microSD port for you to put in a memory card to expand the storage
- has a usb port for you to plug in a USB mouse/keyboad
- you can download the intel remote keyboard onto the device _https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24967/Intel-Remote-Keyboard-Host-App . Then install the app to your phone. With this you can use your phone as a wireless mouse
- has bluetooth
Cons.
- It comes with a trial version of windows
- slow streaming if you are streaming videos from a NAS
- it is a bit slow if you are using this to play a game
- it only have 1 USB port
- won't connect to anything without a HDMI port.
Intel Compute Stick makes TV a full windows 8.1 Computer – Purchased the Intel Compute Stick with Windows 8.1 from Catch Of The Day Australia online. As soon as my delivery arrived, I opened the box, read the easy to follow instructions & plugged the Intel Compute Stick into my HDMI socket on the back of my TV. You need to have either a wireless keyboard or can use the extra usb plug provided to connect to your keyboard.
Windows 8.1 started, and my TV was now transformed into a Windows Computer!
*Helpful note* Make sure that you set the correct time,date and country and time zone first!
I set the time zone, country, but was unable to install windows updates. Problem was solved by checking the current date, and it was set to june 2013. Once I changed it to August 2015, I was then able to install all of the windows updates.
The great thing about using the Intel Compute Stick on your TV is especially good for people who may struggle to clearly see the screen on a desk top PC, Lap Top, or Tablet! The larger your TV the better!
I love it!
And I've read that you will be able to update your windows 8.1 to windows 10 when available.
I've found the whole experience enjoyable, and very convenient. And intend to use my TV computer now, and only use my tablet when I'm in bed or out and about.
Highly recommend the Intel Compute Stick.
It is available at many tech stores & online, I just happened to first see and hear about it via Catch Of The Day online.
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