MeegoPad was one of the first companies to launch a PC-on-a-stick with an Intel processor and support for Windows software. Unfortunately the MeegoPad T01 shipped with an unlicensed version of Windows, which means users had to either replace the OS or pay extra to upgrade to a full version.

Now there are a number of other options available, including the Intel Compute Stick which comes with a Windows 8.1 with Bing license and official support from Intel. But the $150 Compute Stick is relatively expensive at a time when you can find Windows tablets for around the same price (or less).

Now MeegoPad is back with a new model that’s priced competitively, and which shouldn’t have the same licensing issues as its predecessor.

meegopad t02

Like other PC sticks, the MeegoPad T02 is designed to be plugged directly into the HDMI port of your TV or monitor. Turn on your display, connect a power source, keyboard, and mouse and you can basically turn any screen into a full-fledged PC.

The MeegoPad T02 as slightly different design from the T01 (although it’s a familiar-looking design). But it has the same basic hardware as many PC sticks, including an Intel Atom Z3735F Bay Trail processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

What could make this device an attractive alternative to the Intel Compute Stick is the price: A MeegoPad T01 with Windows 8.1 with Bing costs about $109.

There’s also a model without a Windows license that sells for $90. It has the same hardware, but you don’t have to pay for an operating system you may not plan to use. This model can run Ubuntu Linux.

Intel offers an Ubuntu version of the Compute Stick, but it has a street price of about $110 and features just 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.

Not only is the MeegoPad T02 cheaper than an Intel Compute Stick, it also has two full-sized USB 2.0 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack (along with a micro USB port for power and a microSD card slot). The Compute Stick has only one full-sized USB port and no audio jack.

On paper, the MeegoPad T02 looks like a bargain. Just keep you probably won’t get the same kind of support for this product which ships straight from China as you would for an Intel Compute Stick which is officially supported by one of the world’s largest tech companies.

Update: The fine print on the sales pages is also a little confusing. The Linux model is apparently available for $90 with either Ubuntu or a Windows 8.1 with Bing Trial version.

The seller says to choose the $109 model for a licensed version of Windows — but that page says you have to pay $25 more to get a license. If that’s true, it means the Windows model actually costs $44 more than the Linux model rather than $19 more.

via CNX Software and HomeTheaterLife

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16 replies on “MeeGoPad T02 PC stick offers Ubuntu or Windows at lower price than Intel Compute Stick”

  1. This is actually the Meegopad T02 just without the logo casing. Weird thing is that at some points it just throttles down to 4% of CPU and won’t go above that. Any thoughts?

  2. I bought the apm-d05 which is the non-branded form of this and it uses the Windows 8.1 with Bing trial so I need to find out where to buy the key/license.

  3. Can we buy these things somewhere other than AliExpress? I don’t want to buy anything from there again.

    1. AliExpress is a bit like eBay. Some sellers are more trustworthy than others. I haven’t seen this particular item at any other stores yet, but you might be able to buy it soon from a company known for exporting Chinese items such as GeekBuying, GearBest, or PandaWill.

  4. So 2GB/32GB for the Linux (OS-less) version as well? That is good news. Now to just wait for someone to once again prove/show that it is easy to install any Linux distro one desire (Mint LMDE for me) on it 🙂

  5. I just read the fine print on the page, they do not include a licensed version of Windows for $109, you have to pay another $25 for the license bringing the cost to $134. Still a better deal especially with the added USB port. I’ll have to check this out.

    1. Hmm… I’m hoping there’s just a mixup in their product listings — because the page for the Linux version says it can be ordered for $90 with Ubuntu or with Windows 8.1 with Bing Trial version.

      Then it says if you want an activated Windows license, you should buy the $109 version.

      If they’re charging $25 more on *top* of that for the license, that seems a little misleading.

      Then again, that’s why I emphasized that buying this thing instead of a Compute Stick is a sort of Buyer Beware situation.

    2. Yes, but for the Pro version, I think it should have 8.1 with Bing installed.

      1. There’s no mention of Bing at all on there. Right now it says this:

        “OS Windows8.1pro trial version pre-installed. Orignal license please contact us before payment,need add U$25/pc.”

        They continue to put illegitimate copies of Windows on these devices. Same deal as the older Meegopad. Either way I’m eager to check it out :). I’m most curious if they tweaked any more performance out of this revision.

          1. Now,Meegopad T03 built-in Cooling Fan, it can improve the cooling performance

  6. Too bad I bought the one a few weeks ago that had the dual USB but not the 3.5mm jack.

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