There’s no shortage of Intel Compute Stick-style mini computers that you can plug into your TV to run Windows on a big screen. But most models have the same basic specs.
New Intel Compute Stick models with updated specs should be available later this year. But if the features you care most about are a low price tag and a larger amount of storage, there may already be an option.
The FastDisk PC Stick with 64GB of storage is available from AliExpress for $100 after you click the box for a $4 coupon.
That makes the FastDisk PC Stick much cheaper than a 32GB Intel Compute Stick Windows mini PC.
FastDisk also offers 32GB models for $86.
This little PC also has an external, adjustable antenna. I can’t say for certain if that means it offers better WiFi performance than the Intel Compute Stick… but it would be hard for any computer to offer worse performance than Intel’s little PC stick, which has a hard time staying connected to a WiFi network unless it’s sitting right next to your router.
Other features for the FastDisk PC stick are pretty much par for the course, including an Intel Atom Z3735 Bay Trail processor, 2GB of RAM, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a microSD card slot.
There’s an HDMI connector which you can plug directly into a television, and the little PC has a micro USB port (for power) and a full-sized USB port for connecting peripherals.
According to the AliExpress product page, the FastDisk computer comes with Windows 8.1 with Bing software and features a valid Windows license. But it’s always a good idea to proceed with caution with low-cost Windows products form China and have a plan B. On the off chance that the device arrives without a valid license, you may be able to install Ubuntu on it.
via AndroidPC.es
Just got a MeegoPad T02. It has two full sized USB ports and a separate audio jack (main reason I got it). It came with 8.1 Bing installed, but there was a preset user with password and everything, all very suspicious… I didn’t let it on my network before I purged and reinstalled the OS. It won’t be used for anything sensitive, but still.
The Mele PCG-01 is still the best PC Stick available on the market today. Its gilled copper body act as an actual heatsink so it doesn’t need a fan like the Intel Compute Stick, and has an atenna too.
Just got a Voyo miniPC with the new Z3775, 4G RAM, and 64G storage. 32-bit Win8.1 w/Bing, so also the 32-bit UEFI, haven’t found a way to get Linux on to it yet.
I think part of the higher price for the Intel Compute Stick must be in-part something paid to Microsoft for the Windows license. These Chinese cheap stick and boxes many times show up with hacked/pirated Windows and are not to be trusted IMHO. Then again the Intel Compute Stick hardware quality really blows. Sigh…
dont trust China at all…