Intel’s Next Gen Compute Stick Beefs Up Processing With Core M3, M5 Processors
Intel is taking another stab at the PC-in-your-pocket form factor with new generation Compute Sticks. As with the original Compute Stick, these new models plug into the HDMI port on your TV or monitor and offer a full fledged computing experience, only now they're faster, more capable, and support more peripherals.
Freshly minted for 2016, Intel has three new base model Compute Sticks to choose from. The first is an entry-level option running a quad-core Atom x5-z8400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.44GHz to 2.24GHz. It also features 2GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, a pair of USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Windows 10.
The addition of a second USB port is most welcome as it allows users to plug in both a USB mouse and keyboard rather than having to go the wireless route. Intel also deserves kudos to upgrading the Wi-Fi. That said, at $159 (MSRP) the entry-level model isn't overly exciting.
Intel Core m3 Computstick And AC Adapter With USB-C Charging
We're more intrigued by the new 6th Generation Skylake Intel Core m models, of which there are two base models. The higher end of the two rocks a Core m5-6Y57 vPro processor while the lower end version is equipped with a Core m3-6Y30.
Both models boast 4GB of DDR3-1866 RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage expandable via microSD card slot, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and three USB 3.0 ports (one on the Compute Stick and two on the power adapter).
Intel says that all three new Compute Sticks can hardware decode HEVC/H.265 video, though if it's 4K processing you want, the Core m3 and m5 models are the ones to look for.
Without an OS, the Core m3 model runs $300; Windows 10 adds $100 to the price tag. The Core m5 Compute Stick will run $500 and, at least for now, doesn't appear to offer a version with Windows 10 pre-installed.
The new Compute Sticks will be available in February.
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Freshly minted for 2016, Intel has three new base model Compute Sticks to choose from. The first is an entry-level option running a quad-core Atom x5-z8400 quad-core processor clocked at 1.44GHz to 2.24GHz. It also features 2GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, a pair of USB ports (one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Windows 10.
The addition of a second USB port is most welcome as it allows users to plug in both a USB mouse and keyboard rather than having to go the wireless route. Intel also deserves kudos to upgrading the Wi-Fi. That said, at $159 (MSRP) the entry-level model isn't overly exciting.
Intel Core m3 Computstick And AC Adapter With USB-C Charging
We're more intrigued by the new 6th Generation Skylake Intel Core m models, of which there are two base models. The higher end of the two rocks a Core m5-6Y57 vPro processor while the lower end version is equipped with a Core m3-6Y30.
Both models boast 4GB of DDR3-1866 RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage expandable via microSD card slot, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and three USB 3.0 ports (one on the Compute Stick and two on the power adapter).
Intel says that all three new Compute Sticks can hardware decode HEVC/H.265 video, though if it's 4K processing you want, the Core m3 and m5 models are the ones to look for.
Without an OS, the Core m3 model runs $300; Windows 10 adds $100 to the price tag. The Core m5 Compute Stick will run $500 and, at least for now, doesn't appear to offer a version with Windows 10 pre-installed.
The new Compute Sticks will be available in February.
