PC-on-a-stick computers had a bit of a moment a few years back, but we haven’t seen many new models since Intel phased out its Intel Compute Stick product family.
But the new MINISFORUM S40 keeps the PC Stick dream alive. It’s a bit on the chunky side, but the S40 is a full-fledged computer that you can plug directly into the HDMI port of a TV or monitor.
It’s available from Banggood for $190.
The little computer measures about 5.2″ x 1.8″ and has an HDMI connector on one end. Under the hood it features:
- Intel Celeron N4000 dual-core Gemini Lake processor
- Intel UHD graphics
- 4GB of LPDDR4 memory
- 64GB of eMMC storage
- 802.11ac WiFi
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Cooling fan
Is this the best little computer you can get for under $200? Almost certainly not. But it’s definitely one of the smallest that’s capable of driving two 4K displays.
In addition to the HDMI 2.0 connector, there’s also a Mini DisplayPort which allows you to connect a second display. MINISFORUM says the little computer can handle up to two 4K displays at 60 Hz.
Other features include USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Type-A ports, a microSD card reader, and Windows 10 Pro software.
via AndroidPC.es
I never bought an Intel Compute Stick because of the tiny 32gb storage limitation. 32gb fills up fast the first time you run Windows Update. The 32gb limitation was due to Microsoft licensing for the ‘free’ version of Windows. Even before running Windows Update, 32gb Windows devices barely have 7gb of free space available. The S40 with has a more reasonable 64gb of storage.
This would probably be OK strictly as a streaming device but even 64GB of storage space is very low. Assuming Windows takes up about 40GB after all updates and you have about 20GB for whatever programs you need. A mini-SD card would be necessary for any documents, video files, audio files, etc. that you intend to use on it.
The most recent update of Windows 10 brought the entire OS to 32gb.
Modern sticks has 64 gb rom , so this is not the problem . The main problem for sticks are – throttling . MINISFORUM S40 has fan inside – and this fact means , that it will have advantage over mele j4105 . I read ” many crying ” from azulle j4105 ( looks like mele ) customers . J4105 is more powerful . But producers put it into sticks due to chips deficit . So n4000 is better for stick .
This is a single stick ( which I know) with DP video outputs . Meegopad stick has 2 video outputs (usbC +hdmi ) . Only one the very important thing is necessary to be added ,-
Lspcon chip -to make hdmi 2.0A .