Anyone using "compute sticks"?

[leahcim 680]

Anyone have experience with these "Compute Stick" devices?  It is a computer on a stick that plugs into an HDMI port.  Typically they have an Atom type processor, 4GB RAM running W10.  I am not sure how well that is going to work.  I would like to pair it with a bluetooth keyboard for basic web browsing/email and streaming video on an older (non-smart) TV.  I had been using a Logitech Revue (yes, I still have a working Logitech Revue), which I really liked--especially the IR blaster.  But the Revue is almost useless now, and Logitech seems to have abandoned the product line.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Compute-BOXSTK1AW32SCR-Windows-32-bit/dp/B01ASB0DJ8/ref=pd_sim_147_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=31DxgxIa9rL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1BHS6T0CXSC229RY44A0

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B16RH02?psc=1

[mikeyjones 88]

Yes, they're really slow for anything useful and too expensive to be used as streaming devices. 

[Kevin125 4,772]

I don't see that they're very useful in terms of processing power. And like Mikey said, at that price ...$150... Doesn't seem worth it to smarten up a dumb TV.

 

But the fact that it includes a copy of 32 bit windows 10 is decent. But its 32 bit so limits RAM map.

 

As a small general purpose compute device, I like, and use, a Nuc.

[Howard 538]

Why not use an Amazon Firestick which costs about $39 and will do basically what you want, not sure about bluetooth keyboard though.

[mikeyjones 88]

Why not use an Amazon Firestick which costs about $39 and will do basically what you want, not sure about bluetooth keyboard though.

You can attach a bt keyboard to a fire stick. Never saw the point in it though.

 

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

[Lalo 13]

I've used the 1st gen Compute Sticks for trade shows where we had to run PPT slides, picture slide shows or repeating videos, etc. on large screen TV's instead of connecting full blown laptops to them. They work, but as others have said, they lack in processing power. You can expand the storage via micro SD card which is nice. I'm running one on one of my TVs now and it runs well because I know what to expect from it. If updates need to be installed, run them until it's done, if AV defs need to be updated, run that before you start trying to multi-task. A couple things at a time, that sort of thing. In the past I've used it to RDP to a work machine via VPN and haven't had any issues. I've also run Outlook on it while opening office documents through Sharepoint, etc and although somewhat slow, it's worked for me. I've placed an order for the next gen compute stick (Core M3, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage) which should run a LOT better.

 

I might have an extra Compute Stick laying around if you're looking for one.

 

For keyboards I've used the Logitech K400 and am now using the K830 which I'm loving.

[leahcim 680]

Why not use an Amazon Firestick which costs about $39 and will do basically what you want, not sure about bluetooth keyboard though.

My understanding of the Firestick is that it primarily oriented toward streaming video and maybe some apps.  I would like to be able to email (web-based client or possibly Outlook) and view Office/PDF  in addition to streaming.  And for much more than a sentence or two, I do prefer  to use a keyboard vs. other input methods (so far).

[mikeyjones 88]

To expand on what Lalo said. Billboards and tvs set for advertising is where these compute sticks shine. Other than that, I don't see the value in them.

 

For streaming devices, pm me.

 

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

[leahcim 680]

Thx Lalo, I will probably go with one of the "Next gen" units... let me know how yours works out.

[Rob0115 1,105]

Get a gen II raspberry pi. They run a version of W10. Cheap too.

[robot_hell 72]

Remember WebTV? It's that, only *slightly* better. Still crap.